Radio aids

Radio aids are also known as assistive listening devices, remote microphones, or wireless microphones. The most commonly used radio aids are Phonak Roger devices.

Features of a radio aid

Radio aid systems are made up of two parts: a transmitter and a receiver.

A transmitter is a microphone worn by the person speaking to the deaf individual, such as a parent or teacher. They are typically worn using a lanyard or clip. The microphone picks up the person’s voice and wirelessly transmits it to the receiver on the deaf child’s or young person’s hearing device.

A receiver picks up the signal sent from the transmitter and converts it back into sound for the wearer to hear through their hearing device. There are different types of receivers:

• Integrated receiver: These receivers can be attached to some hearing aids or implant speech processors so that it blends in seamlessly. They're often attached to the battery cover of the hearing device.
• Built-in receiver: Some hearing aids and implant speech processors have receivers already built into them. These internal receivers may need to be activated by an audiologist or Teacher of the Deaf.
• Roger X receiver: A Roger X receiver plugs into some wireless streamers or audio shoes, delivering audio directly to the hearing device. An audio shoe is an adapter that attaches to a hearing device for this purpose.
• Neckloop: A neckloop transmits the signal to the telecoil inside most hearing devices which then converts it into sound.
• Separate behind-the-ear receiver: This can be used by those who don't wear hearing aids or implants but do have some residual hearing. An example of this is the Phonak Roger Focus II.

Safety

For children under 36 months, consult an audiologist or Teacher of the Deaf about using a radio aid safely. In-built or tamper-proof integrated receivers will reduce any choking risks posed by small parts. While most neckloop receivers have a break-away safety feature, they are not recommended for children under 36 months.

Benefits of using a radio aid

Radio aids reduce background noise and reverberation, improving access to speech, which can ultimately help children and young people develop their communication skills.

Radio aids can also be useful for children and young people who might not use hearing aids or implants, for example:

• those with mild or unilateral hearing loss
• those who have difficulty concentrating, particularly in noisy settings, such as children and young people with autism, ADHD or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD).

Where radio aids can be used

Radio aids are widely used in educational settings, from early years to higher education, but they can also be used at home and when out and about.

• Classrooms: A radio aid can help deaf children hear their teacher more clearly and feel included, even in noisy classrooms.
• Group work: Some radio aids can be placed on a table to pick up sound from multiple directions, making them useful for group conversations.
• Audio streaming: Radio aids can be plugged into multimedia devices like a computer or TV to transmit audio directly to the user’s hearing device.
• Activities and clubs: A radio aid can help deaf children and young people hear their coach or instructor during activities when they may be further away.
• Travelling: Deaf children will be able to hear more clearly through a radio aid when they’re in a pushchair, car, on public transport or riding a bike.

Where to get radio aids

You can buy radio aids online from many different retailers, including:

• Connevans
• FM Hearing Systems
• Gordon Morris: Offers free short-term trials on radio aids. Click on the ‘Loan Contract’ tab on individual product pages for more details and to access the form.

You may qualify for support to get a radio aid. Check out how to get assistive technology.

Radio aid resources

For more information about radio aids, check out our free resources:

• How radio aids can help (Shopify)
• Social story: Radio aids (Shopify)