What is an Assistive Listening Device?
Assistive Listening Devices are amplification systems designed specifically to help people with hearing loss hear in a variety of difficult listening situations. ALD’s can be connected to a personal hearing aid or cochlear implant, or used with headphones or ear buds, or neckloop, to help overcome background noise and distance from the sound source.
The basic function of an ALD is to improve the “signal to noise ratio” for the listener. This means that the desired sound or “signal” – ordinarily a speaker’s voice -- is amplified, while undesired sound or “noise” is minimized.
ALD’s accomplish this by putting a microphone close to the desired sound source in order to pick up that sound without interruption or interference. This desired sound is then delivered directly to the listener’s hearing aid, cochlear implant, or other listening equipment. The closer the microphone is to the sound source, the louder and clearer the desired sound will be. The overall effect is that background noises are reduced or eliminated, making it easier to understand the sounds you want to hear.
What is a FM System ?
A FM system is a high quality assistive listening device. FM stands for “frequency modulation,” and is based on FM radio technology. The range of operation for the FM systems we are using is 150 for the personal system, to 500 feet for the wide area system.
The ALD Lending Library has two types of FM systems available: a Personal FM System, and a Wide Area FM System. The personal system can also be used in conjunction with a conference microphone. The wide area system can use its own microphone, or the sound system in an auditorium or other facility can be plugged directly into it. Both systems are easy to use and very portable.
Both FM systems allow the listener (wearing the receiver) to hear a speaker (utilizing a microphone connected to a transmitter) without amplifying surrounding sounds. Various headsets and connectors are available for use with the listener’s FM receiver, depending on personal preference, other equipment (a hearing aid or cochlear implant), and the application or environment. If you have a hearing aid with a T-switch, it is recommended that an FM be used with a neckloop. If you already have Direct Audio Input connectors for your hearing aids (sometimes called “boots”), these too are compatible with FM technology. If you have a cochlear implant, you may need a patch cord.
Personal FM System Instruction
Wide Area System Instruction
Where to buy equipment
What is a Neckloop?
A neckloop is an accessory device that allows for the audio output from an FM receiver, or other Assistive Listening Device, to be magnetically transferred directly into a hearing aid equipped with a T-switch. (The t-switch, or telecoil, is a separate setting on the hearing aid.) This is a great advantage because the neckloop transmits the sound from the receiver directly into the user’s hearing aid, and / or cochlear implant.
What is a CI Patch Cord?
A patch cord connects the FM receiver, or other ALD, directly into a person’s cochlear implant speech processor. However, not all CI brands and/or models have the same the size inputs, so it is important to use a patch cord that “fits” both your CI processor and the ALD you want to utilize. The ALD Lending Library has a variety of patch cords available.
Where can FM Systems be used?
How can someone borrow a FM System?
The Assistive Technology Loan Program is being run through fifteen regional libraries, called Regional Resource Centers for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, one of which is the NJ Library for the Blind and Handicapped in Trenton. The list of libraries and phone numbers is available today. Simply contact the library closest to you and arrange to borrow and pick up the equipment you need.
Participating Libraries
Atlantic County Library
40 Farragut Avenue
Mays Landing, NJ 08330
(609) 625-2776 (V), (609) 625-5043 (TTY)
Burlington County Library
5 Pioneer Boulevard
Westampton, NJ 08060
(609) 267-9660 (V), (609) 267-2978 (TTY)
Clifton Public Library
292 Piaget Avenue
Clifton, NJ 07011
(973) 772-5500 (V), (973) 772-2380 (TTY)
Camden County Library
203 Laurel Road
Voorhees, NJ 08043
(856) 772-1636 (V), (856) 770-9685 (TTY)
Gloucester County Library
389 Wolfert Station Road
Mullica Hill, NJ 08062
(856) 223-6000 (V), (856) 223-6057 (TTY)
Monmouth County Library
125 Symmes Drive
Manalapan, NJ 07726
(732) 431-7220 (V), (732) 845-0064 (TTY)
Monmouth County Library – Eastern Branch
1001 Route 35
Shrewsbury, NJ 07702
(732) 842-5995 (V)
Montclair Public Library
50 South Fullerton Avenue
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 744-0500 (V), (973) 780-2041 (TTY)
Morris County Library
30 East Hanover Avenue
Whippany, NJ 07981
(973) 285-6930 (V), (973) 285-6942 (TTY)
Newark Public Library
5 Washington Street
Newark, NJ 07101
(973) 733-7784 (V), (973) 733-5644 (TTY)
NJ Library for the Blind and Handicapped
2300 Stuyvesant Avenue
Trenton, NJ 08625
(800) 792-8322 (Toll Free), (877) 882-5593 (TTY)
Ocean County Library
101 Washington Street
Toms River, NJ 08753
(732) 349-6200 (V)
Piscataway Public Library
500 Hoes Lane
Piscataway, NJ 08854
(732) 463-1633 (V)
Teaneck Public Library
840 Teaneck Road
Teaneck, NJ 07666
(201) 837-4171 (V), (201) 837-0822 (TTY)
Vineland Public Library
1058 East Landis Avenue
Vineland, NJ 08360
(856) 794-4244 (V)
