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The BAHAUsers Support FORUM4. Gizmos and GadgetsTelephones/Communication AidsGreetings Gadgeteers

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29-02-2012, 05:03 AM

robo1983

Junior Member

Registered: 20-10-2011
Total Posts: 109

Greetings Gadgeteers

i am looking into some potential gadgets for myself, and to use at work and wanted to see if anyone has either used them before or heard bad things about them

the first is a inductive coupler(strap on phone amplifier)
http://www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/shop/po...er-product-l272.aspx

i like the idea of it as it would help out at work, plus it works with t-loops although i just noticed that it isnt suitable with cordless(which i have at home >_<

the other is just a gizmo cos im a guy and gadgets are in my blood
http://www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/shop/bl...er-product-m478.aspx

it looks to be ideal for me to play with as it does both bluetooth for mobile/music and also works as a conversation inhancer

i couldn't find the second one on the shopping site so had to use the rnid instead
air conduction (BTE) on both sides
Op left side 23/7/12.
switched on november 2012.
fine tuned 2/13
now ponto lhs with conventional aid on right

Yahoo

04-03-2012, 00:42 AM

robo1983

Junior Member

Registered: 20-10-2011
Total Posts: 109

Re: Greetings Gadgeteers (Re: robo1983)

Anyone?

air conduction (BTE) on both sides
Op left side 23/7/12.
switched on november 2012.
fine tuned 2/13
now ponto lhs with conventional aid on right

04-03-2012, 01:41 AM

Kazbat

Advanced Member

Registered: 11-12-2005
Total Posts: 1192

Re: Greetings Gadgeteers (Re: robo1983)

Hi Rob

Sorry... I read your message when I was at the office and meant to reply when I got home but got engrossed doing other things.

I have used a phone amplifier such as in your first link and would comment as follows:

It was many years ago that I had one of this and I must admit that I didn't like the amplifier, but I don't recall thinking the sound quality was especially bad, so that's not a negative thing. However, using it was annoying in several ways that now seem ridiculously petty.

I would forget (even though I could see it) that the amplifier was attached to the phone handset, and be surprised when I would hit myself on the side of the head with the handset as it was a tad bulkier than before... I don't know if this makes sense LOL... but it annoyed me so much at the time. (Sounds ridiculous on reading this back before posting the message, but I remember it absolutely hacked me off at the time!)

Trying to get the handset/amplifier in the right place against my ear so that I could hear 'properly' was annoying too, though sat here now, I can't work out why that would be - it should have been no different from placing a phone on its own against my ear.

Another petty gripe was the fact that of course I had to fit the amplifier to the handset before I could use the phone - annoying when there's a caller waiting on the other end of the line. Of course, I also had to remove the amplifier before replacing the handset back down on the phone and I remember being exceedingly annoyed at having to do that. You couldn't just leave the amplifier on as the handset wouldn't rest properly on the phone, and so wouldn't allow the phone to be freed up to receive the next incoming call.

Within weeks of getting it and starting to use the amplifier, I gave up... and then the company I was working for at the time got a new phone system in anyway, and fortunately for me they considered my hearing problems and got a system with individual volume controls on each desk phone and still have the same (but upgraded) system now.

As I said earlier, it's been many years since I used the amplifier so things may be easier now - and maybe I just wasn't accepting enough of my hearing problems back then (late 1990s) to cope as well with the assistive devices that have since become so necessary. I think part of my inability to get on with it was that I couldn't accept the fact that using a phone was, for me, different from how it had been before.

It's cheap enough to be able to give it a go without suffering too much of a financial loss if it doesn't work out for you. If you decide to go for it, let us know how it works out for you.

As for the second item - the bluetooth hearing enhancer - I've no experience of using anything like this, so can't comment on this one for you, sorry.

Kind regards,

Kazzy (on the Garden Coast of Kent, in England)
xx

http://www.kazbat.co.uk - my website; feel free to nose.

- [My site is currently offline but I hope to have it back up and running soon.]

From at least 1983 - Conductive hearing loss, CSOM, Otitis Externa and Tinnitus for 16+ years (all on right side), then:
1999 - Cholesteatoma discovered & removed
1999 to 2003 - Progressive hearing loss, coupled with bilateral persistent infections & perforations leading to:
Nov 2003 - Baha surgery (right side) (Tigger held my hand during the op.)
Mar 2004 - Switch on and life began again: fitted with Cochlear's Compact sound processor
2004 to 2007 - More bilateral infections & perforations followed.
Oct 2007 - My Cochlear Compact broke; was due an upgrade so was offered a/c hearing aids with gold-plated moulds, but opted for Cochlear's Divino - an excellent decision!
2007 to 2011 - Bilateral ear infections, perforations and loads of neuralgia persist, though somewhat less frequently than before, but sadly clarithromycin, ciprofloxacin and codeine phosphate are still my good mates

Feb 2011 - Hearing loss has changed; now diagnosed with bilateral mixed hearing loss, rather than purely conductive unilateral loss; bilateral Baha was briefly mentioned, but funding prevents a second Baha
Jul 2011 - Upgraded to Cochlear's BP100 & am now experiencing the so-called 'halo of sound'... life's grand!

Sep 2011 - Adjustments and fine-tuning carried out to the BP100

Nov 2011 - More adjustments and fine-tuning carried out to get rid of random beeps and squealing - all sorted! The BP100 is wonderful and I'm absolutely loving the 'halo of sound'

(Edited by Kazbat on 04-03-2012, 01:43 AM)

06-03-2012, 01:33 AM

robo1983

Junior Member

Registered: 20-10-2011
Total Posts: 109

Re: Greetings Gadgeteers (Re: robo1983)

thanks kazzy

luckily im not the one paying for it as im having it for work(well claiming the cash back) if that doesnt work out what would be a better option?

air conduction (BTE) on both sides
Op left side 23/7/12.
switched on november 2012.
fine tuned 2/13
now ponto lhs with conventional aid on right

06-03-2012, 08:00 AM

Kazbat

Advanced Member

Registered: 11-12-2005
Total Posts: 1192

Re: Greetings Gadgeteers (Re: robo1983)

Hi Rob

>> if that doesnt work out what would be a better option? <<

To be honest, I don't know, as I haven't tried anything else. I suspect that you'll find actually using it to be fine; it's just the bits that come with it - the having to put it on the handset and remove it from the handset, etc., that may be annoying. If memory serves me right, it had a volume control, too (but don't quote me on that), so you may find you're concerned about nothing. And remember my experience of using it is absolutely years ago.

Kind regards,

Kazzy (on the Garden Coast of Kent, in England)
xx

http://www.kazbat.co.uk - my website; feel free to nose.

Sep 2011 - Adjustments and fine-tuning carried out to the BP100

Nov 2011 - More adjustments and fine-tuning carried out to get rid of random beeps and squealing - all sorted! The BP100 is wonderful and I'm absolutely loving the 'halo of sound'

27-03-2012, 10:54 PM

robo1983

Junior Member

Registered: 20-10-2011
Total Posts: 109

Re: Greetings Gadgeteers (Re: robo1983)

after more scouting around i have found another gadget which is perfect for me. although it is from an american company TechEar

do they ship to the uk? or is there a uk version of the site?

this is the gadget. chosen as it works with multiple gadgets i own but most important it will work with my iphone
http://www.tecear.com/CLA7v2_Powered_Neck_Loop.htm#CS-M22C

air conduction (BTE) on both sides
Op left side 23/7/12.
switched on november 2012.
fine tuned 2/13
now ponto lhs with conventional aid on right

28-03-2012, 07:37 AM

Kazbat

Advanced Member

Registered: 11-12-2005
Total Posts: 1192

Re: Greetings Gadgeteers (Re: robo1983)

Hi Robo

>> this is the gadget. chosen as it works with multiple gadgets i own but most important it will work with my iphone
http://www.tecear.com/CLA7v2_Powered_Neck_Loop.htm#CS-M22C <<

I can't get the link to work - can you give us a link to the main manufacturer's page? I can work from there and try to find the neck loop.

Kind regards,

Kazzy (on the Garden Coast of Kent, in England)
xx

http://www.kazbat.co.uk - my website; feel free to nose.

Sep 2011 - Adjustments and fine-tuning carried out to the BP100

Nov 2011 - More adjustments and fine-tuning carried out to get rid of random beeps and squealing - all sorted! The BP100 is wonderful and I'm absolutely loving the 'halo of sound'

29-03-2012, 02:32 AM

robo1983

Junior Member

Registered: 20-10-2011
Total Posts: 109

Re: Greetings Gadgeteers (Re: robo1983)

the manufactorer is ClearSounds.com

and is listed as "ClearSounds Amplified Power Neckloop Accessory CLA7v2"

i have found the item on a few american shopping sites but nothing similar for english sites

even amazon.co.uk doesnt have it when its listed on amazon.com

air conduction (BTE) on both sides
Op left side 23/7/12.
switched on november 2012.
fine tuned 2/13
now ponto lhs with conventional aid on right

29-03-2012, 06:23 AM

Kazbat

Advanced Member

Registered: 11-12-2005
Total Posts: 1192

Re: Greetings Gadgeteers (Re: robo1983)

Hi Robo

>> ClearSounds Amplified Power Neckloop Accessory CLA7v2 <<

Well, I was going to reply immediately on reading about this accessory, saying 'but it needs a telecoil to work' and 'the Baha doesn't have a telecoil installed within the sound processor' but something held me back and of course it was the realisation that you don't have a Baha.

If your hearing aids have a T switch (for Telecoil), then this should work. I don't know how well it would work having never used one, but it should work.

I've found several items on searching for mobile phone neckloops but have no idea if they're suitable for use with the iPhone. For instance:

http://www.healthandcare.co.uk/induction-loop...with-microphone.html (three items on this page)

http://www.lloydspharmacy.com/en/geemarc-neck...m_campaign%3DProduct (one item)(UK site, despite the .com)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Geemarc-Clearsound-CL...k-Loop/dp/B001B78LDY

Hope these are of some use to you.

An item that is similar to the item you were asking about, and which works on Bluetooth (therefore is suitable for use with Bluetooth-capable mobile phones) is: http://www.connevans.co.uk/store/viewProduct.do?id=3892140

Have a look at this page: http://www.connevans.co.uk/store/viewCategory.do?id=299 - there is a list of phones on there for which the neckloops Connevans supplies are suitable; it also says that if your phone is not on that list, you may have to buy an adapter - you can get said adapter from Connevans, too. I don't see the iPhone on either list, though.

Have you contacted Connevans to see if they can help you? I would strongly recommend you get in touch with them if you haven't already. They're UK-based and really good at helping customers find what they're looking for... I've used them in the past and they're worth their weight in gold, I found.

Hope I've been of some assistance.

Kind regards,

Kazzy (on the Garden Coast of Kent, in England)
xx

http://www.kazbat.co.uk - my website; feel free to nose.

Sep 2011 - Adjustments and fine-tuning carried out to the BP100

Nov 2011 - More adjustments and fine-tuning carried out to get rid of random beeps and squealing - all sorted! The BP100 is wonderful and I'm absolutely loving the 'halo of sound'

30-03-2012, 05:01 AM

robo1983

Junior Member

Registered: 20-10-2011
Total Posts: 109

Re: Greetings Gadgeteers (Re: robo1983)

>>>Have a look at this page: http://www.connevans.co.uk/store/viewCategory.do?id=299 - there is a list of phones on there for which the neckloops Connevans supplies are suitable; it also says that if your phone is not on that list, you may have to buy an adapter - you can get said adapter from Connevans, too. I don't see the iPhone on either list, though.<<<

i had a read through. the connector for the iphone is slightly bigger at 3.5mm 4point connector(same size as most stereos/mp3 players) instead of the 2.5mm 3 point that is listed. the techear one comes with the connector

air conduction (BTE) on both sides
Op left side 23/7/12.
switched on november 2012.
fine tuned 2/13
now ponto lhs with conventional aid on right

15-03-2013, 02:45 AM

robo1983

Junior Member

Registered: 20-10-2011
Total Posts: 109

Re: Greetings Gadgeteers (Re: robo1983)

small update for this thread....

finally got work to actually pay for the clearsound cla7v2(from tecear.com) and had it delivered today. i played with it for approx 5 minutes just to see what it is like and i will admit i am impressed.

my only problems are that the cable is a bit long on it and those wonderful ppl at hmrc decided to tell me that i needed to pay vat on it.. this last bit has me confused as the conevans and rnid(action on hearing loss) both have vat exemption for purchase of medical related goods.

does this apply to goods from abroad as well or am i just being picked on?

air conduction (BTE) on both sides
Op left side 23/7/12.
switched on november 2012.
fine tuned 2/13
now ponto lhs with conventional aid on right

15-03-2013, 12:26 PM

dog-man

Junior Member

Registered: 07-02-2007
Total Posts: 635

Re: Greetings Gadgeteers (Re: robo1983)

I think you are being picked on!

dog-man

Two years to diagnose an acoustic neuroma. I was discharged from ENT and a few months later invited back on a hunch by the head consultant there. Told I had two years to live if they did not operate.
Acoustic Neuroma removed August 18th 1992. Totally Deaf in left ear, now have serious noise damage in right ear.
Had to learn to walk again. Bells Palsy for a month. Amnesia for a couple of months. Chronic head and neck pain 24/7 for 12 years. Only alcohol helped to ease the pain. Still have some balance problems.
BAHA OP December 2003.

16-03-2013, 00:25 AM

robo1983

Junior Member

Registered: 20-10-2011
Total Posts: 109

Re: Greetings Gadgeteers (Re: robo1983)

thats what i thought. thankfully my boss likes me and didnt question it when i handed her the reciept this morning

air conduction (BTE) on both sides
Op left side 23/7/12.
switched on november 2012.
fine tuned 2/13
now ponto lhs with conventional aid on right

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