FM Hearing System
Ivy Millman-Dee
Technology: FM Trainers
Manufacturer: Phonak Hearing Systems http://www.phonak.com/professional/eschooldesk.htm
Description: A FM trainer (system) is a direct wireless connection between the teacher’s voice and the child’s ears. The device transmits the teacher’s voice at a constant level insuring that it is heard above the level of background noise. Any outside noise, echo in the room or distance from the teacher is eliminated. The FM system allows the teacher to stand anywhere in the room while her voice sounds as if it is only inches away. The technology consists of an FM transmitter with a microphone which is worn by the teacher and FM receivers which are connected to or built into the child’s hearing instruments.
Price: Total Cost – about $ 2,692.00 per child
Tx3 Transmitter - $ 932.00
Receiver - $800.00 each
Boots - $80.00 each (connects receivers to the student’s personal hearing aids)
Tx3 Transmitter - $ 932.00
Receiver - $800.00 each
Boots - $80.00 each (connects receivers to the student’s personal hearing aids)
Hearing impaired students have a unique set of needs in the inclusion classroom. Hearing aids alone can not help students understand the teacher in a noisy classroom nor can they overcome the negative effects of listening when the distance between the teacher and student is not always constant or predictable. In order to address the negative effects of noise, distance, and reverberation Hearing impaired students use a FM trainer in school. A FM trainer (system) is a direct wireless connection between the teacher’s voice and the child’s ears. The device transmits the teacher’s voice at a constant level insuring that it is heard above the level of background noise. Any outside noise, echo in the room or distance from the teacher is eliminated. The FM system allows the teacher to stand anywhere in the room while her voice sounds as if it is only inches away. The technology consists of an FM transmitter with a microphone which is worn by the teacher and FM receivers which are connected to or built into the child’s hearing instruments. The microphone is placed eight inches or less from the teacher's mouth picking up the teacher’s voice. The transmitter changes the electrical signal from the microphone into an FM signal, which is sent to the student's receiver. Because the teacher's mouth is close to the microphone, background noise is much softer by comparison. Most FM systems also allow teachers to connect audio and audio-visual equipment to the FM transmitter, providing a clear audio signal to the student. For instance the FM systems my school uses attaches to the computer because students can not wear headphones (they will cause feedback with the hearing aids), and they attach to the television when they watch movies in class. The FM system ensures optimal learning conditions for hearing impaired children.
There are numerous types of FM systems out there. Research states that the best systems for school aged children include a receiver which attaches to the child’s personal hearing aids and a transmitter which the educator can wear.
The MLxS is the smallest universal multi-frequency radio receiver. It is the most popular universal miniaturized multi-frequency FM receiver in the world! The MLxS has a standardized Euro connector that makes it compatible with both Phonak hearing instruments and BTEs (behind the ear hearing aids) from other manufacturers.
Phonak has developed a versatile range of FM transmitters, combining user-friendliness with optimum signal-to-noise ratio for improved speech understanding.
Tx3 Handy Mic -The world’s smallest and most universal FM system for BTE users. The system is cordless, easy to operate and virtually invisible. It can be used in all learning environments and for all educational levels (good for school aged children)
Campus S -the best solution for schools and educational settings thanks to its
FM channel selection. The Campus S is extremely flexible when it comes to multi-classroom applications. When moving from one room to the next, the channel selection feature allows the new channel settings to be made quickly and conveniently. The transmitter’s channels can be preprogrammed to suit individual needs. (good for children and infants)
EduLink - is a miniaturized FM system that Phonak has developed for students with normal hearing in the presence of specific performance deficits (learning difficulties) Many children with specific performance deficits have one thing in common: difficulty with filtering speech from general environmental noise. This puts them under additional strain in the classroom. EduLink enables the child to receive the teacher's voice at any time without difficulty - even with a great deal of environmental noise. EduLink is used to complement existing therapies in children with Auditory Processing Disorders (APD), Attention Deficits Disorders (ADD), ADD with Hyperactivity (ADHD) and Learning Disabilities.
Smart Link offers access to the communication possibilities of business life.
Smart Link offers access to the communication possibilities of business life.
Telecom provides convenient access to telephone, TV, radio, and other audio sources. Good for conference calls. (adults)
Zoom Link is a new high-quality entry-level FM transmitter. Zoom Link features three different microphone modes. It is very easy to use and compatible with all Phonak receivers. (good for older school aged children, adults)
Easylink is a new remote microphone and FM transmitter with just one button. (good for older school aged children, adults)
My school currently has three students using the Phonak MLxS receiver which hooks onto their personal hearing aids and the Phonak Tx3Handy Mics. Because all three students are in different schools we do not need to use the Campus S model. As the students become older and their frequencies can become interrupted by each other we will most likely look into this model. The handy mic is easy to use, reliable and durable. The teachers wear the mic around their neck like a necklace. Teachers are often very nervous to have hearing impaired students in their class. The FM system initially scares them. I always explain how it works, why students need it and how important it is for them to be comfortable. I also assure them that I am available at all times for any questions they may have. In addition, I stop by the room a few times per day to make sure everything is going o.k. Before school starts we have a training session to familiarize the teachers and all of the special subject teachers on how to use the equipment. The equipment is extremely easy to use. Push the button up two times when you are teaching and turn it down two times when you are not. The hardest part is to remember to turn it off when you go to the bathroom because they can hear you! We also review strategies to use in the class when teaching a hearing impaired student. Look at them when you speak, do not teach with your back to them, use visual cues, make sure the FM is on and devise a cue for them to use when the FM is not on or when it is on at the wrong time.
Most teachers have been wonderful with my hearing impaired student’s accommodations however some have become upset at the idea that students can pre-view work ahead of time. As the speech and language pathologist I have to explain that pre-viewing is not so that the student has an advantage over the other students but rather so that they are on a level playing field. We need to know that the student is hearing the correct information when the teacher says it in the class. For instance, if the teacher says the vocabulary word “deed” and the student hears “bead” the entire meaning has changed. Once this has been explained all of the teachers I have worked with have been extremely helpful in providing work to me ahead of time so I can pre-view terms.
Hearing impaired students should have an Individual Education Plan or 504 plan in which they are classified as Hearing Impaired. This allows the students to receive classroom and testing accommodations that will help the students to do well in school. The plan should state that the student must have adaptive technology in school (the FM system) which the school must provide. The system is expensive and costs about $2,692.00. The transmitter costs about $932.00 the receivers cost $800.00 each and the boots to attach the receivers to the hearing aids cost $80.00 for both ears. Although these are expensive pieces of equipment they are necessary to ensure that the student hears all of the classroom information presented. Classroom modifications should include preferential seating so that students can view the teachers face (to help read lips and gestures), Visual cues and the ability to pre-view vocabulary work. Testing accommodations often include listening comprehension read more than 2 times, and separate location so that they can take tests in a quiet setting. Many students also have hearing and speech and language goals specified on the IEP. Some goals may include learning to become independent with the use of the FM system (changing the battery, charging the system), alerting the teacher to difficulties with the FM system and stating when the FM system needs to be used (teacher is talking, computer lab, television). Goals related to listening situations such as listening to information of varying lengths at varying distances with and without the FM system and listening to information in the presence of background noise (cafeteria). There are also often goals related to producing specific sounds, decreasing nasality and oral communication. The FM needs to be used when students are practicing oral language skills so that they can hear all of the sounds presented. The above goals, accommodations, modifications and adaptive technology (FM) are reviewed at every annual review meeting. The recommendation should always be to keep these elements in place to ensure that the students hear the teacher and are able to perform to the best of their abilities in school.
The following websites were used to obtain more information on FM systems:
http://www.boystownhospital.org/Hearing/hearingaids/fmsystems.asp
http://edschool.csuhayward.edu/departments/ted/instruction/howe/5500/AAL-speechbanana.html
http://www.phonak.com/professional/eschooldesk.htm
http://www.boystownhospital.org/Hearing/hearingaids/fmsystems.asp
http://edschool.csuhayward.edu/departments/ted/instruction/howe/5500/AAL-speechbanana.html
http://www.phonak.com/professional/eschooldesk.htm
8 comments:
I have used an FM with a former hearing impaired child. I was fortunate enough to work with Ivy. It is a team effort to make sure these students are getting their needs met. Ivy's knowledge about hearing impaired children helped to ease my anxiety.
I can say that I was initially worried that I would break or lose it! It is like wearing a necklace, and I did forget to turn it off once or twice for a bathroom break and when speaking casually with a colleague.
This is a fine example of how technology can assist students in achieving all they can. This student was a very bright and capable child and a delight to teach. Having the opportunity to work with her helped me grow as an educator. I "heard" that I will be getting another child that uses the FM next year. I look forward to using my experience with the FM to help my future students!
Sounds like a similar modification that many theaters have been using to help patrons enjoy the "show" with. Isn't it a shame that these devices did not make their way into the classrooms sooner. Hopefully the education world will begin to set the norm for the private world.
-Michele- I can imagine that is a funny story to tell regarding the bathroom break broadcast:)
My school current has every classroom equiped with an FM system, called Phonic Ear. As the teacher, I wear a microphone, around my neck or on my head, and there are four speakers spaced carefully in the classroom. It saves my voice, and gives all students equal access to my voice. I have not yet heard if anyone uses this system attached to an individual child.
I too have had the "bathroom" issue.
These seem like they would have many uses, not only for kids, but for hard of hearing older adults too! My 91 yr. old father could use one of these when my mom is trying to explain something to him! Granted, she's probably not going to pop for the $2000 but she should!!
You ALWAYS make things easy to understand!!! All those years of using the FM system and now I know about the FM system at length. Thanks for sharing!
I have seen the special ed.teacher at my school using the FM system but didn't know much about it. What a great tool to have and try out with students who find it challenging to stay on task. What a shame that as a staff we are not privy to what assistive technology there is at our disposal unless we ask a specialist for it, but first we have to have some knowledge that some of these devices even exist! This information should be on the agenda on our first staff meeting in September. Assistive technology devices are part of special ed. and are treated as a special entity that you may or may not gain access to.
When I was doing my student teaching in Yonkers middle school there was a student who was blind and hearing impaired. he used the FM system, when it finally came time for me to stand in front of a class and teach a lesson I put the necklace on and started my lesson. I could see that the student had some level of discomfort and was playing with the ear piece, finally his one on one aid approached me and advised me that it works better when you turn it on. Rookie mistake.
This student also carried a brail typing key board and had his tests and handouts given to him in brail.
He was also the top student in the class with a 95 average.
This looks like a wonderful solution for hearing impaired, but very expensive. Why is it so costly? You are fortunate to have the opportunity to use this tool - great experience in your field.
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