How FM systems help people with hearing loss
FM systems differ from hearing aids, though they can be used in conjunction. Read on to learn how these devices can be useful in noisy settings.
The 3 key takeaways
- “FM” stands for “frequency modulation” — The systems use radio frequencies to pick up sounds as far as 300 meters away, depending on the product and other conditions.
- FM systems can be used with hearing aids — The listener wears a microphone transmitter that sends a signal to a receiver, which could be a hearing aid or other assistive listening devices.
- They’re particularly helpful with background noise — This could prove beneficial at restaurants, lectures, events, or even just at home watching television.
Whether you experience mild or profound hearing loss, one of the biggest hurdles of the condition is filtering out background noise in loud environments. Places like restaurants, concerts, or sporting events can be so overwhelming to those hard of hearing, that many opt to avoid these situations entirely. This can have a negative impact on your social life and mental health.
That’s why many audiologists recommend asking your doctor about FM systems, a listening device designed to aid wearers in noisy settings. Read on to learn how they work and whether you or someone you know could benefit from them.
What is an FM system?
The “FM” in “FM systems” refers to “frequency modulation.” So what does that mean? Similar to a walkie talkie, these devices take advantage of radio waves to pick up and relay specific audio signals. This could be audio from an event speaker, a teacher, a party guest, or media playing from a television or music speaker. They also tend to cover a higher range of distance than other listening devices like hearing aids, so you can understand sound coming from across a room or even through a wall.
How does an FM system work?
FM systems have two main components — a transmitter and a receiver. A transmitter sends a wireless audio signal from a microphone typically worn around a person’s neck to a receiver in the person’s ear. This receiver can be a hearing aid, cochlear implants, or a standard headphone.
FM vs DM systems
FM systems shouldn’t be confused with DM systems, which stands for “digital modulation.” As the name suggests, DM systems use digital signals instead of radio signals. While they both send a signal from a transmitter to a receiver, DM systems digitally analyze and compress this signal for a clearer sound quality without some of the interference that comes with analog radio frequencies.
FM system vs. hearing aid
While FM systems can be used in conjunction with hearing aids, they are not the same thing. FM systems broadcast an external radio signal to a receiver in a listener’s ear, whereas hearing aids amplify and process sound directly in a listener’s ear as they’re hearing it. That said, hearing aids can act as the receiver needed for FM systems by communicating with a transmitter it’s been paired with. Many hearing aid users use FM systems for added assistance in noisy environments and sounds coming from longer distances their hearing aids are unable to pick up.
Benefits of using an FM system
So who could benefit from using an FM system? Your audiologist is the best person to determine how to treat your unique case of hearing loss, but generally speaking, these are the advantages of the device:
Hear better in noisy environments
FM systems use directional or omnidirectional microphones to isolate speech or other targeted audio while reducing unwanted background noise in loud settings.
Hear audio from farther distances
FM systems are designed to close the distance between a listener and the source of audio they’re trying to hear, such as a teacher’s voice in a classroom or someone at the other end of a table you’re eating at.
Use alongside hearing aids
While you don’t need a hearing aid to use an FM system, they could be used together for an enhanced listening experience. The device is most commonly used in meetings, classrooms, or religious institutions where the speaker is wearing a lapel microphone that can send the speech to the receivers of multiple hearing aid users at once.
FM transmitters
FM systems come in a wide variety of styles to accommodate different needs and lifestyles. Here are the types of FM transmitters available on the market:
Clip-on microphone
If you’ve ever seen a talk show guest wearing a small lavalier microphone, you’re all too familiar with this style. Lapel FM transmitter mics are usually placed chest level on the listener or speaker, whether it be via a clip or a lanyard around their neck.
Table-top microphone
One alternative to wearing a microphone is to place it atop a table. This can be beneficial in conference meetings or the table at Thanksgiving. Table-top FM transmitters utilize omnidirectional microphones to capture speech from multiple directions.
Handheld microphone
Another style of FM transmitter is a simple handheld microphone that can be aimed by the listener in the direction of a sound source or passed around to friends, family, or coworkers.
FM receivers
In addition to hearing aids, users have several options to choose from when it comes to FM system receivers, including:
Direct audio input
Some FM systems allow users to connect directly to an audio input source, like a speaker, television, or a car radio.
FM boot
Also called “hearing aid boots,” FM boots connect directly to the bottom of behind-the-ear hearing aids to transmit audio. They can also be used in conjunction with cochlear implant processors.
Neckloop
A neckloop receiver is worn around a listeners neck and connected to their hearing aid via a telecoil. Non hearing aid wearers can also plug headphones directly into the neckloop.
Loudspeakers
In some cases, FM systems can transmit audio from an event space speaker directly into a loudspeaker receiver.
How much do FM systems cost?
FM systems are commonly sold over-the-counter (OTC) at electronic stores or online, though prescription devices may also be recommended through your audiologist. Like hearing aids, prices can range from as low as $100 to as high as $5,000, depending on the developer.
The bottom line on FM systems
FM systems have been used in the hearing care industry for decades, and have come a long way since. They can be beneficial to people of all degrees of hearing loss, particularly those who struggle with background noise in loud environments. Whether you wear a hearing aid or not, talk to your audiologist about whether these radio broadband devices can meet your hearing needs.
Frequently asked questions
What is an FM system?
FM stands for “frequency modulation” and these systems use transmitters to send wireless audio signals to a receiver in a listener’s ear.
Can FM systems use hearing aids?
An FM system can utilize several different types of receivers, including hearing aids. Other listening devices include standard headphones or cochlear implants.
What are the benefits of FM systems?
FM systems make it easier to identify speech and other sounds in loud settings by taking audio from a specific source and transmitting it to a receiver without background noise. They also can pick up audio signals from longer distances than traditional hearing aids. They’re good for students, people at events, or anyone with hearing loss.
What is the difference between an FM and DM system?
An FM system transmits radio signals, while DM systems use digital renderings of audio signals for a clearer sound delivery.