Cell Phone Tips

Harmony BTE

Using Cellular Phones with the Harmony Sound Processor
There are many choices available that will work with the Harmony Sound Processor; we have not found one cellular phone arrangement that works everywhere for everyone.

We suggest contacting your local cellular phone vendor and ask about using demonstration models or doing an in-home trial. We also recommend talking to other cochlear implant and hearing aid users to find out which cellular phones and features have worked best in their area.

Advanced Bionics offers several listening options for using a cellular phone with your Harmony Processor:

1. T-Mic^® Microphone
2. Harmony Built-in Telecoil (T-Coil)
3. Direct Connect Earhook with T-Coil Adapter
4. Direct Connect Earhook and Cable with a custom-made hands-free telephone adaptor cable

T-Mic Microphone
The T-Mic is an in-the-ear microphone for hearing in noisy environments and for effortless access to cellular telephones, consumer audio electronics, and assistive listening technology. Many BTE recipients use the T-Mic full time and are able to use a cellular phone simply by placing the phone to their ear in a normal fashion.

The T-Mic is an optional earhook and is the default choice for most adult cochlear implant users. To order a T-Mic (#CI-5830) visit the Webstore at www.BionicEar.com or contact Customer CARE at (877) 829-0026 or (800) 678-3575 TTY.

Harmony Built-in Telecoil (T-Coil)
The built-in T-Coil provides wireless access to inductive loop environments. Ask your audiologist to create and optimize a program with the built-in Telecoil enabled while visiting your implant programming center. Your audiologist will assign this dedicated program to one of the switch positions on the Harmony processor.

When ready to use your cellular phone, select the assigned program switch position with the telecoil enabled. You may need to adjust the position of the phone and the orientation of your body while the cell phone is held up to your ear to optimize the T-Coil reception.

 
What are induction loops and t-coils?
An induction loop is a special wire within a room or phone that emits an electromagnetic signal. This signal is picked up by the t-coil (or telecoil) and is then transmitted to the sound processor. Traditional tabletop phones are required to be hearing-aid (t-coil) compatible by having built-in inductive loops; however, some but not all cordless or cell phones are t-coil compatible.

T-Coil Compatible Cellular Phone Options
Traditional phones are required to be hearing-aid and t-coil compatible by having built-in inductive loops; however, cellular phones do not yet have this requirement. Some cellular phone manufacturers make certain styles of phones that are hearing-aid or T-coil compatible, while others make adapters. For options in your area, contact your local cellular phone provider.

Other choices for getting a t-coil compatible phone are:

1. Nokia and Motorola have a t-coil neckloop that has a built-in microphone. Contact them to find out which phones work with this neckloop. The neckloop plugs into the phone, is worn around the neck, and emits electromagnetic energy that is picked up by the t-coil.
2. Audex has a product called the CHAAMP that makes specific Verizon, Alltell or US cellular phones hearing aid or t-coil compatible.
   • Visit the website for more details:  http://www.audex.com/chaamp.html
   • Contact an Audex representative at (800) 237-0716 if you have questions.
3. Motorola has a cellular phone that is t-coil compatible called the Motorola V60.
4. Not every t-coil user is able to use this phone, so try it before you buy it.

Direct Connect Earhook with Telecoil Adapter
The Telecoil Adapter provides access to inductive loop environments. It is an accessory option that snaps on to the Direct Connect Earhook.

You may find using the t-coil adapter to be a convenient option if you do not currently have a program position assigned to access the Harmony built-in Telecoil or if you prefer not to have a dedicated position programmed exclusively for use with the built-in Telecoil. 

Use a program setting with audio mixing assigned for use with the Direct Connect Earhook as instructed by your audiologist. When you plug the Telecoil Adapter into your Direct Connect hookup, you are ready to pick up the signal from an induction loop. Rotate the T-Coil Adapter as needed to optimize sound quality with the phone placed close to the processor.

To order the Telecoil Adaptor (#5750), visit the Webstore at www.BionicEar.com or call Customer Care at (877) 829-0026 or (800) 678-3575 TTY.

Direct Connect Earhook With a Custom-made Telephone Adapter Cable
Another option for using a cell phone with the Harmony Sound Processor is directly connecting to a patch cable made specifically for your phone. To do this, you will need the Direct Connect Earhook, the Direct Connect Cable (from Advanced Bionics), and a custom-made, hands-free telephone adaptor cable (from an independent vendor*).Whether you are considering cochlear implants or currently use them, the BEA provides resources, information and programs to support you along your Journey to Sound. Join today!

*Advanced Bionics does not support any products that are supplied by outside vendors.

Other Information on Using a Cellular Phone

Audio Mixing
Audio mixing options are available on the Harmony Sound Processors. Audio mixing allows the Harmony microphone to remain active when connected directly to a T-Mic, when using the built-in Telecoil, or any other external audio input, including use of the external T-Coil Adapter. This is important so you can hear your own voice and environmental sounds in addition to the signal transmitted through the auxiliary device. You may need to see your audiologist to set up a program with the correct audio mixing for connecting to your cell phone. If you are directly connecting to a telephone with a cable or adapter, you may want your audiologist to set up an audio mixing ratio of 100% auxiliary so that you hear only the sounds from the telephone.

If You Hear Buzzing on Your Cell Phone
Some cochlear implant users experience interference when using digital cell phones. Digital cell phones transmit information on radio frequency (RF) that is picked up by the electronic circuitry of the sound processor or by a t-coil attached to the processor. This can create an audible interference or buzz. The interfering energy comes from many parts of the cellular phone including the backlight, antennae, battery, and internal circuitry.

Here are some tips on avoiding the buzz:

1. Using a T-Mic, as opposed to a t-coil, tends to lessen interference.
2. Design of phone: Clamshell or flip-style phones, as opposed to open-face phones, tend to put the bulk of the receiver below the ear and position the extended antenna away from the head. This reduces the interference by increasing the distance of the phone and antenna from the Harmony Processor.
3. Type of wireless service: Cellular phone companies use different transmitting technologies for their wireless services; some cause more problems than others.
   • Try a provider that uses the CDMA digital protocol such as Verizon or Sprint or iDEN technology such as Nextel, as these tend to cause the least interference.
   • Also, find the CDMA or iDEN provider that has the best network coverage in the area(s) where you expect to use the phone (e.g., home, office, other cities, and places where you travel).
   • GSM and TDMA protocols are prone to causing interference with cochlear implants.
4. Ask a cell phone provider to see their models with reduced RF. Since 2005, the FCC requires most service providers and phone manufactures to offer a certain percentage of cell phone models with reduced emissions.
5. Try before you buy. Contact your local cellular phone vendor and ask about using demonstration models in the store or in-home trials. You may need to listen with several phones from several companies before you decide.
6. Talk to your audiologist and other cochlear implant users. Ask what types of phones and cellular phone service has been successful for them in your local area.