Even with the today’s technology, hearing aids and cochlear implants can’t separate the sounds you want to hear from background noises, or pick up all the sounds from a distance, such as in a performance hall or place of worship. With a telecoil you can expand the functionality of your hearing aid or cochlear implant. A telecoil in a hearing aid functions as a wireless antenna that links into a sound sys- tem and delivers customized sound to the listener. What is a telecoil? A telecoil is a small copper coil that is an option on most hearing aids and is built into cochlear implant processors. They are also known as t-coils and were originally used to boost the magnetic signals from the telephone handset. The telecoil is activated by a t-switch on the hearing aid or cochlear implant. All landline and some cell phones are designed by law to be used with a telecoil. The telecoil can make a noticeable difference in your life when you combine it with hearing assistive technology. This pairing of technology bridges the physical space between you and the sound source. Hearing assistive technology connects the listener directly to the sound source while most back- ground noise is eliminated. The telecoil, a small copper coil, is located inside the hearing aid. When would you use a telecoil? Increasing the volume on your hearing aid or cochlear implant won’t necessarily increase the clarity of what you hear. Hearing assistive technology combined with a telecoil can improve your understanding of dialogue at work, in a meeting, in the classroom, theaters, places of worship, tour buses, and other places. Some people use telecoils at home with the TV while keeping the TV volume low for the comfort of others. Many public places are equipped with hearing assistive technology. With the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, hearing assistive technology is increasingly available in public places. Hard of hearing people who have prioritized cosmetics over hearing have usually elected invisible “completely in the canal” aids or inconspicuous in-the-canal aids, which generally have had insufficient room for the telecoils. Telecoils are, however, reportedly becoming more miniaturized and can now be included “in all but the tiniest hearing aids,” reports audiological researcher-writer Mark Ross. Even with today’s technology, the best hearing aids and cochlear implants can’t separate the sounds you want to hear from background noise, or pick up all the sounds coming from a distant source like a stage or movie screen. With a telecoil you can expand the functionality of your hearing aid or cochlear implant. A telecoil in a hearing aid functions as a wireless antenna that links into a sound system and delivers customized sound to the listener. With the flick of a tiny switch the telecoil-equipped hearing aid switches from a microphone (M) to a telecoil (T) mode. Many hearing aids also offer a setting for simultaneous mike and telecoil (MT). In settings where one wishes both inputs, the MT setting is useful. The telecoil is activated by a t-switch on the hearing aid or cochlear implant. All landline and some cell phones are designed by law to be used with a tele coil. The telecoil can make a noticeable difference in your life when you combine it with hearing assistive technology. This pairing of technology bridges the physical space between you and the sound source. Hearing assistive technology connects the listener directly to the sound source while most background noise is eliminated. Increasing the volume on your hearing aid or cochlear implant won’t necessarily increase the clarity of what you hear. Hearing assistive technology combined with a telecoil can improve your understanding of dialogue at work, in a meeting, in the classroom, theaters, places of worship, tour buses, and other places. Some people use telecoils at home with the TV while keeping the TV volume low for the comfort of others. Telecoils can sometimes be added to your current hearing aid but it will cost less if you include it in your original purchase. Today, approximately 65 percent of all hearing aids dispensed in the United States have telecoils. Automatic telecoils are available but work only with tele- phones, not hearing loops, so ask your audiologist or hearing in- strument specialist to include a manually-operated telecoil in your hearing aid and ask for advice on how to use it.