Noisy Restaurant – Recipe for Success!

If you are going out to eat with ONE person, and you know the restaurant will be noisy, I have a solution for you!  I’m always experimenting with different assisted listening devices in different environments, and I am thrilled with this simple “recipe” for hearing success!

Ingredients:

• Pocketalker Ultra with Neckloop
  
• Mini-Lapel Omnidirectional Microphone

Preparation:

• Sit next to the person you will be talking to.
• Remove the microphone from the Pocketalker and insert the lapel microphone into the 3.5mm jack.
• Clip the lapel microphone onto the neckline of the other person’s clothing, as close to his/her mouth as possible.
• Turn the Pocketalker on slowly and find a comfortable volume level.  Set it on the table or in your lap.
• Enjoy your meal and conversation!

Serving size:
This hearing solution works for two people.  If you are dining with more than one other person……I’m still working on that solution!  Some people have had success using a Pocketalker and a conference microphone, but that hasn’t worked very well for me.

Suggestions:
This works best if you are seated next to, not across from the person (helps keep the wire out of your food!).  In the photo above, my husband is on my left side, so I clipped the microphone onto the right side of his shirt.  When he turns his head toward me, the microphone will pick up his voice.

Variations:
I tried this with a directional microphone and an omnidirectional microphone and preferred the omnidirectional mic.  I would expect the directional mic to be better, but for some reason, I could hear better with the omnidirectional.

The Pocketalker can also be used with a  variety of headphones and earphones.

Caution:
This system worked great with my neckloop.  When I tried it with earphones, it was actually too loud (amazing!) and I had to move the mic farther away.

I hope you enjoy this recipe for hearing success!  And remember, never leave home without your Pocketalker!

Painkillers Can Cause Hearing Loss

A recent study found that “women who took ibuprofen or acetaminophen two days or more per week had a 13% increased risk of hearing loss. The more often a woman took either of these medications, the more likely she was to report hearing loss”.

Read the full article here.

Neil Bauman, the director of the Center of Hearing Loss Help, has been telling us that for years.  You can purchase his book, Ototoxic Drugs Exposed, and sign up for his very informative, free e-zine at http://www.hearinglosshelp.com/products/ototoxicdrugbook.htm

If you are a member of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) you can access the “Hearing Loss Magazine” online.  The March/April 2013 issue has a very good article about ototoxic medications, “Poison to the Ears?  Making Sense of Ototoxicity” by Monique Hammond.  This article covers “Contributing Factors” and “Preventive Strtategies.”  Hammond concludes, “Until there are better ways for predicting the ear-harmful potential of new and existing substances, careful patient screening, responsible medication dosing and monitoring, attention to drug interactions and honest communication between patient and caregivers will go a long way to keeping our ears at least reasonably safe.”

The RONDO from Med-El

Med-El has just released the world’s first single-unit cochlear implant processor.  The RONDO is an all-in-one processor that simply attaches to the magnet of the cochlear implant with no cord or device behind the ear.  It is compatible with the Combi 40, Pulsar, Sonata and Concert implants.   For more information, search for “RONDO” on the Med-El YouTube Network.