What is a hearing loop and how does it work? 
A hearing loop provides a magnetic, wireless signal that is picked up by the hearing aid when it is set to the T (Telecoil) setting. The loop system consists of a microphone to pick up the spoken word, an amplifier which processes the signal, and the loop cable which is a wire placed around the perimeter of a room that acts as an antenna. When a hearing aid user selects the T setting he or she can pick up the sounds spoken into the Greenville Theatre microphones instead of the hearing aid’s internal microphone. This results in improved speech understanding because any background noise is eliminated.

Why are hearing loops needed if I already own hearing aids? 
Understanding speech in reverberant places such as auditoriums is often difficult because of background noise picked up by the hearing aid. When a hearing aid is set to T- coil, the instrument becomes a personalized speaker in the ear for the Greenville Theatre microphones. Sounds are heard clearly, without distortion or background noise pick-up.

How do I access the T-coil? 
In most cases, the T-coil program is accessed by pushing a button on your device which must first be programmed by your audiologist. Sometimes these settings are referred to as memory settings.

How can I tell that my instrument(s) are set to listen in the hearing loop? 
Push the button and if your device is equipped,  you will hear beeps (one beep, two beeps, three beeps, etc.), or you may hear the words: “Microphone and telecoil” or “Telecoil” only.

What if I don't know if I have a T-coil? 
Contact your audiologist or Dr. Kristin Davis if you are unsure about your device. Most behind the ear hearing aids and custom in-the-ear instruments can be so equipped if yours is not already, and sometimes the T-coil is installed but not activated.