FM Options

An FM system is a wireless system that carries sound direct from source to ear. It consists of an FM microphone and one or two FM receivers.

The FM microphone is actually a microphone connected to, or inside, a radio transmitter. The microphone picks up the desired signal (often your own voice). The transmitter then sends it on radio waves directly to the FM receiver.

The FM receiver, in turn, is connected to the hearing instrument. The sound is delivered to the hearing instrument, the hearing instrument applies the right amplification and your voice can be heard as if you were talking from very close.

FM systems are primarily used in the classroom and other settings where there is a primary speaker that needs to be heard clearly in spite of background noise. In order to access this functionality you must purchase the entire system. You should consult your audiologist in order to understand your options and the costs involved.

There are FM receivers for cochlear implants as well as bone-anchored hearing aids: the basic principle remains the same.

Phonak (http://www.phonak.com/) has developed miniaturized FM-receivers for headworn devices, enabling wearers to use their Baha device with the Phonak FM transmitters HandyMic, EasyLink. SmartLink, TelCom and Campus S, for example. The Smartlink can be purchased separately and easily be used with music devices and Bluetooth enabled phones.