1. Today’s Topics Introduction to basic FM concepts Equipment overview:
Hearing aids
Transmitters
Inspiro, Zoomlink
Troubleshooting tips & tricks
Resources for teachers
Questions ???

2. The Every day challenges:
Three major factors cause a challenge for kids with hearing loss:
The challenges
The listening problems experienced by people with hearing loss have been well documented.
The three major factors that degrade the quality of the speech signal received by hearing instruments and make communication particularly difficult for the hearing impaired are:
• Background noise
• Reverberation (Echo)
• Distance between the speaker and the listener
Background noise
Reverberation (echo)
Distance

3. Classrooms are Noisy Places
Noise affects learning
for all children…
Reverberation

4. Why does my student need FM?
Normal hearing children and adults
ALL CHILDREN are at a disadvantage when listening to a distant speaker or in background noise
Children with hearing loss have an even greater disadvantage in these environments
FM tries to overcome the factors of background noise and distance from the teacher.
Word recognition up-close in quiet
(1.8 m)
Age Group
Word recognition with distance &noise
(7 m)
67%
4 years
88.3%
5 years
94.3%
84%
6 years
98%
86.7%
Adult
99.3%
97.0%
Adapted from Johnson 1996

5. Do implanted patients have the same problems in noise?
YES!
FM with implants
Hearing instrument on the offside ear w/FM
FM with BAHA

6. What is an FM system? Transmitter (Teacher’s Microphone)
Receiver (silver piece connected with an audio shoe on hearing aid)
Wireless transmission (signal) 2 1

7. How does an FM system work?
FM radio waves
An FM system consists of two parts: a transmitter and a receiver.
Through a transmitter, the speaker’s voice will be picked up with a microphone close to the mouth. (Animation 1x) The transmitter sends the speech signal to the receiver, that is connected to the hearing instrument, as FM radio waves. (Animation 1x) The receiver delivers the clean signal to the hearing instrument.
Talker speaks into the transmitter/microphone
The speaker’s voice is transmitted through the FM radio waves
The receiver, which is connected to the hearing instrument, delivers the sound to the hearing instrument 7

8. Keys to Successful FM Operation
The transmitter and receiver must be on the same channel.
The transmitter must be charged.
Antennas ‘exposed.’
The receiver must be powered. (usually by the hearing instrument BAHA or cochlear implant with a good battery.
Must be within operating range. (20-40 feet indoors and feet outdoors)
Channel 09

9. Daily routine with hearing instruments
Visual Inspection
Check to see that the ear mold is not blocked and the
tubing is not cut or cracked.
Check for moisture in the tubing
Set the HA to appropriate settings (most likely will be already set)
Listening check
Listen to the hearing aid.
Turn Tx/microphone on. Make sure you are receiving a FM signal
Or ask the student if they hear your voice or the 3 beeps

10. Inspiro – the best choice for all schools
Battery Life
Charge every day
Mute: stops FM
Easy
On/Off slide, showing
green mark
when switched on
Monitor/Check’s
FM connection
Sync/Connect
Synchronizes the
Microphone to the
Child’s FM

11. ZoomLink+ A versatile wireless microphone featuring: Dynamic FM
Multiple microphone settings
Fast-charging battery.
I (top button) – Best setting for noisy classrooms
O (bottom button) – Best setting for group readings
or discussions.
Chord acts as antenna 11

12. Turn on ZoomLink and Synchronize to Hearing aid/CI

13. ZoomLink+ 2. 1. 3.

14. Charging

15. Listening checks Done everyday Rule 51: States:
©Phonak WiTC Program-FM Department-EC
4/3/2019
Listening checks
Done everyday
Rule 51: States:
Routine checking of hearing aids and external components of surgically implanted medical devices
Each school district and approved cooperative must ensure that hearing aids and external components of CI devices in school by children with hearing impairments, including deafness, are functioning properly

16. General troubleshooting of a transmitter/microphone
Is the microphone fully charged?
Is the Tx/microphone on the correct/assigned channel?
Is the microphone in the mute position? (only for Inspiro model)
Is the mic is unwound with no knots/cuts/kinks?
Is the lapel microphone 6-8 inches from the mouth?
Is the boom mic 1-2 inches from the mouth?

17. General troubleshooting of a hearing aid & receiver
Try a new hearing aid battery – there may be enough power to run the aid but not the FM.
Wait 30sec -1min before inserting new battery
Is the battery inserted correctly? Positive/flat side facing up
Are the contacts on the hearing aid exposed and clean? Use cleaning brush
Is the battery door closed all the way?
Does the microphone need to be synchronized to the child’s hearing device?
Is the audioshoe snapped on completely?

18. Care tips .
Check each student’s FM system daily to ensure it is working correctly (see below).
Use Checksheet – website for assistance
Each FM-using student should have basket, in which to store their FM unit when not in use.
Charge it every night and weekends except for extended breaks.
Always have a small supply of extra device batteries available. A battery tester is also a useful item to have.
Keep FM systems away from water; FM products are electronic devices and water can cause serious damage.

19. Resources and Assistance
Audiology services tab
Phonak Schooldesk
(press school equipment option)