Hearing aids and cochlear implants are most effective over distances of around 1-2 metres. Sometimes you may need help to hear in more challenging situations, and other assistive technology can be useful.
Remote microphone systems may help you to hear over a distance up to 10 metres and in background noise. Lots of children use these systems in classrooms, but they can also be helpful in other noisy situations where they are further away from the person speaking, like in the car or for certain sports. Older clients may use remote microphone technology in the workplace.
The remote microphone system has two parts – a transmitter microphone that is worn by the person speaking, or placed on a table, and a receiver that picks up the microphone signal.
Our fully subsidised Remote Microphone System range^ offers a range of transmitter and receiver features, including:
- the ability to monitor and troubleshoot the system, for use with young children;
- connectivity with classroom amplification systems;
- access to ‘conference microphone’ features for use in small groups or meetings;
- a range of styles, including simplified controls if required.
There are several receiver options:
- a receiver that connects directly to a hearing aid or cochlear implant sound processor. (“Direct Audio Input”);
- a receiver that is worn around the neck, and the sound is delivered to the hearing aid through its telecoil. (“Neck loop”);
- a receiver that is worn like a conventional hearing aid.
If you need to use an accessory to connect to a remote microphone receiver, this may also be fully subsidised.
Your audiologist may recommend a remote microphone system if:
- your hearing and communication goals suggest that you need help to hear over distances or in noisy situations; and
- if you and your communication partners are willing to use the technology.
We may provide one fully subsidised transmitter and one fully subsidised receiver per client. If one of your ears hears more clearly than the other, you’ll gain most benefit when the receiver is fitted to the ear that has the better speech understanding.
If you wish to obtain a transmitter or receiver that is not part of the fully subsidised range, then you may contribute to the cost of the transmitter or receiver.
We expect that you will use your chosen remote microphone system for at least five years before replacement unless there is a significant change to your clinical needs.
If a receiver or transmitter is lost or damaged beyond repair, we will replace it with another from the current fully subsidised range. If you contributed to the cost of the original device, then you can choose to contribute to the cost of the replacement, or to be refitted with a fully subsidised device.
Please note: loan transmitters and receivers are not routinely available.
Streamer microphones that work with specific manufacturers’ devices
If you would benefit from a remote microphone system, but don’t need the features that are used in classrooms or meetings, many of the hearing aids and cochlear implant sound processors that our clients use have a dedicated microphone that streams a speaker’s voice directly to the hearing device. We may provide one fully subsidised streamer microphone instead of a remote microphone system.
^Fully subsidised remote microphone system range is for CSO clients only
*Conditions apply under the Australian Government Hearing Services Program.
