One of the most common problems reported by people with hearing loss is difficulty communicating in group settings and in background noise. Here we discuss what that looks like and what can help.

Modern hearing aids are usually equipped with specialised technology to improve hearing in background noise, but some people will still struggle in complex settings and when the speaker is at a distance. This is where an accessory such as a remote microphone can be a game changer. Hearing aids themselves are still essential, but a remote microphone can help to get the most out of your hearing aids and significantly enhance your hearing experience.  

What is a remote microphone?

A remote or wireless microphone is a small accessory designed to connect to your hearing aid(s), usually via Bluetooth. There are different styles of remote microphones available depending on your needs. For example, a table microphone can be positioned on the table in a restaurant or in a meeting to pick up different speakers, or a clip-on microphone can be attached to the clothing of a single speaker to pick up their voice at a lecture or medical appointment. The purpose of a remote microphone is to bring the sounds you want to hear directly to your ears via the hearing aids.  

How does a remote microphone help?

Placing a wireless microphone close to the person you want to hear means their voice is captured directly at the source and transmitted to your hearing aids, ensuring clear sound at a comfortable volume. A remote microphone is able to: 

• Improve speech recognition in the presence of background noise 
• Improve the ability to hear a speaker at a distance 
• Compensate for the effects of background noise and reverberation on speech clarity 

This makes listening in challenging environments easier, allowing users to relax and engage more fully in conversations and activities.  

Who can benefit from a remote microphone?

Anyone who want to improve their ability to hear and communicate in challenging environments can benefit from a remote microphone. Environments where remote microphones can be particularly helpful include social gatherings, meetings, and in lecture theatres or auditoriums. These situations can be frustrating and tiring when you have hearing loss and using a remote microphone can alleviate some of the stress and strain of hearing in these environments. 

Remote microphones can be especially helpful to people with poor speech discrimination or auditory processing abilities. These people typically find it harder to distinguish between speech and background noise and a remote microphone can make a huge difference in bringing clear sound directly to the ears.  

If you'd like more information

Here are links to some of the remote microphone systems we have used and loved at Bellbird Hearing if you would like more information. 

Wireless Accessories for Hearing Aids | Starkey 

https://www.widex.com/en-nz/hearing-aids/accessories/sound-assist/ 

Hearing Aid Microphones - Roger | Phonak 

If you think a remote microphone could be helpful for you or a family member, the team at Bellbird Hearing would be happy to see you to discuss the right option to meet your specific needs and help you get the best hearing possible.  

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