In general terms, each induction loop system consists of a microphone, an amplifier and an aerial, packaged together in one format or another depending on the application.

Sound is picked up through the microphone, converted into magnetic impulses by the amplifier and transmitted as a magnetic signal via the loop aerial. The signal is, in turn, picked up by the telecoil within a hearing when the wearer is in proximity to the field, and converted back to speech.

The hearing aid wearer is able to hear speech clearly, with little or no background noise, by activating the telecoil function on his or her aid. Well positioned signs inform the hearing aid wearer that the induction loop facility is available.

Contacta induction loop systems significantly reduce background noise, making communication easier and clearer. For hearing aid wearers, an induction loop can make the vital difference between hearing what is being said and feeling left out.

Hearing aids have three switch positions:

M The normal microphone position. The hearing aid picks up all sounds and does not distinguish between them.

T The telecoil position. This effectively switches the hearing aid microphone off, so that the magnetic signals from induction loops can be picked up, thereby reducing the amount of background noise heard.

O The off position.

Switch between the M and T positions on the hearing aid below to hear the difference a Contacta induction loop can make.