Radio aids, streamers and soundfields
A radio aid system usually consists of two parts – transmitter and receiver(s).
The transmitter contains a microphone and is normally worn by a parent, teacher or colleague. The microphone picks up the sound of their voice and transmits it wirelessly to the receivers.
The receivers are attached to the hearing aid or cochlear implant and can pick up the sound being sent from the transmitter. This allows a deaf child or young person to hear other people’s voices clearer in relation to unwanted background noises.
There are many different makes and models of radio aids. Some transmitters have different features and look differently to others – whilst there are different models of receiver depending on what hearing aid or implant you have.
Streamers are useful for accessing multimedia and entertainment such as televisions and tablets, whilst soundfield systems distribute sounds (such as a teacher’s voice) evenly and consistently throughout a classroom.