[nfb-db] nfb-db Digest, Vol 50, Issue 9What's An FM System?
Catherine Miller
guillcat at gmail.com
Fri Mar 22 13:56:16 UTC 2013
Hi, Sheila.
An FM system sends a speaker's voice from a speaker directly into your hearing aids without traveling across the distance between the two of you where the sound becomes dispersed and harder to understand. The speaker holds a device roughly the size of a cell phone and talks into it. With your hearing aids switched to T-coil, you receive the signals from the transmitter. There are variations on this configuration. I used one before I received my cochlear implants, and it sounded like the speaker was right in both of my ears at once. Wonderful enhancement to the quality of the speech I was able to hear.
Cathy
Sent from my iPad
On Mar 22, 2013, at 7:39 AM, nfb-db-request at nfbnet.org wrote:
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> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Re: FCC to distribute assistive technology to people with
> combined hearing and vision loss (Sheila Leigland)
> 2. Re: FCC to distribute assistive technology to people with
> combined hearing and vision loss (Sheila Leigland)
> 3. Re: FCC to distribute assistive technology to people with
> combined hearing and vision loss (Scott Davert)
> 4. Re: phone plans (Scott Davert)
> 5. Re: FCC to distribute assistive technology to people with
> combined hearing and vision loss (Janice Toothman)
> 6. Re: FCC to distribute assistive technology to people with
> combined hearing and vision loss (Sheila Leigland)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2013 16:08:41 -0600
> From: Sheila Leigland <sleigland at bresnan.net>
> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] FCC to distribute assistive technology to people
> with combined hearing and vision loss
> Message-ID: <auto-000176465456 at fe-2.cluster1.bresnan.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Hi, what is an fm system? So far I just need hearing aides which I've needed for eight years now.so I don't know much about what is out there
>
> Sheila Leigland
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> Message: 2
> Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2013 16:14:23 -0600
> From: Sheila Leigland <sleigland at bresnan.net>
> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] FCC to distribute assistive technology to people
> with combined hearing and vision loss
> Message-ID: <auto-000204395762 at fe-3.cluster1.bresnan.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> You've done nothing wrong. My loss is somewhere betreen fifty and sixty percent across the board. Without mmy aides speech is difficult to understand even from a few feet away.
> If I'm out with my dog hearing anyone more than a couple of feet ahead of me even with my aides is impossible and frustrating.
> Sheila LeiglandI can still hear traffic though.
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> Message: 3
> Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2013 23:14:13 -0400
> From: Scott Davert <scottdavert at gmail.com>
> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] FCC to distribute assistive technology to people
> with combined hearing and vision loss
> Message-ID:
> <CAOHXxEa2X3y-4r3YF_F_yiFqXdxhSpgpSCPaodfOfXdr7H2ShA at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Hi Marsha.
> Braille displays come in a wide variety of flavors and sizes. What you
> may want may differ from what someone else on the list may want,
> depending on several factors. One is what you plan to use the display
> for, another to consider is how well your braille reading skills are,
> and also what type of keyboard you're most comfortable with. This is
> why I don't recommend 1 or 2 displays across the board, because there
> are so many options. Certainly, if you're looking for portability and
> don't mind having a small display, the Focus 14 could be a good
> choice. Especially if you're a JAWS user, since it is very tightly
> integrated with that screen reader. You can use the display on your pc
> as well as with the phone. If you want something with a lot of
> internal functions though like the ability to take notes without
> connecting to an external device such as an iPhone or computer, the
> Focus 14 is not a good choice, nor would the Brailliant line be a good
> option. Like Janice said, the Braille Sense u2 is also an option, and
> this also has a lot of other features which you can use independently
> of the phone. I could write a book on this, so I'll stop before I do
> just that. (smiles).
> As for ip-relay, it's essentially a service where you type your
> message on your computer or phone, it is read by an operator to the
> person on the other end of the phone who then talks through the
> operator. The operator would then type whatever that person said back
> to you, and you would read it on your braille display. IP-Relay, just
> like braille displays, comes in different formats, all with unique
> benifits to different parts of the population. Again, this is
> something I could write a book about, but don't have the time to do
> so. However, I hope this helps answer some of your questions in
> general?
>
> Scott
>
> On 3/21/13, Sheila Leigland <sleigland at bresnan.net> wrote:
>> You've done nothing wrong. My loss is somewhere betreen fifty and sixty
>> percent across the board. Without mmy aides speech is difficult to
>> understand even from a few feet away.
>> If I'm out with my dog hearing anyone more than a couple of feet ahead of me
>> even with my aides is impossible and frustrating.
>> Sheila LeiglandI can still hear traffic though.
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2013 23:16:37 -0400
> From: Scott Davert <scottdavert at gmail.com>
> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] phone plans
> Message-ID:
> <CAOHXxEbVeLpjfYgMcvrrn4YXBRa_WpL=Pp0KDFzAWj=6ynRQ-A at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252
>
> Sprint is the only company still offering unlimited data as far as I
> know. But I also know that, at least where I'm located on western Long
> Island, they don't offer very much coverage. However, depending on
> where you live, this could certainly be another option.
>
> Scott
>
> On 3/21/13, Maurice Mines <maurice.mines at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Unfortunately I don't think this is completely correct, I am with sprint and
>> no I do not work for Sprint. Sprint does offer unlimited data and as far as
>> I can tell him my bill anyway, unlimited texting. I don't have any problems.
>> Hope this helps somebody out?
>> On Mar 21, 2013, at 10:18 AM, Scott Davert <scottdavert at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Yes, Verizon offers a similar plan, and I believe, the price is
>>> exactly the same. You won't get unlimited data anymore though, no one
>>> can with new plans, but I think that will give you 2 GB of data, which
>>> is more than enough to read email, browse the web, and do Skype or
>>> Face Time calls from time to time. The unlimited texting plans are
>>> still available.
>>>
>>> Scott
>>>
>>> On 3/21/13, The Pawpower Pack <pawpower4me at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> I want to mention here that some companies? At&t is one of these, have
>>>> special plans for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. AT&T's plan
>>>> is
>>>> called the TAP plan. You must provide proof of hearing loss, signed by
>>>> an
>>>> audiologist.
>>>> This plan usually allows for unlimited texting and different levels of
>>>> data
>>>> usage? anything from 200 mb to 2 gb a month. There is no voice calling
>>>> with
>>>> these plans. I have the old style plan, which is no longer offered. It
>>>> is
>>>> unlimited data and texting for 51 dollars every month. I use IP relay
>>>> through aim to make phone calls. This is a great plan, and I have had
>>>> it
>>>> for almost 4 years now.
>>>> Verizon has the same kind of plan as well, I believe.
>>>>
>>>> Rox and the Kitchen Bitches
>>>> Bristol, Mill'E-Max, Laveau!
>>>> pawpower4me at gmail.com
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>
>>>> On Mar 21, 2013, at 9:37 AM, Scott Davert <scottdavert at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Good morning Marsha.
>>>>> Yes, the program will cover braille displays that will work with the
>>>>> iPhone. If possible, I'd recomend meeting with them and request demos
>>>>> of
>>>>> the various displays. That way, you can get something you like.
>>>>> Have you tried something like ip-relay for fhone calls? It seems like
>>>>> you
>>>>> may benifit from this as well after getting your display.
>>>>>
>>>>> Just a thought,
>>>>> Scott
>>>>>
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>
>>>>> On Mar 21, 2013, at 10:13 AM, Marsha Drenth <marsha.drenth at gmail.com>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Pennsylvania isn't even starting until May. I have already contacted
>>>>>> them.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I have an Iphone already, can't use the phone to make calls on
>>>>>> anymore.
>>>>>> So I text or email. Will this program purchase braille displays for
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> Iphone? I have the data plan already.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Marsha drenth
>>>>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>>>>> http://adventureswith2feet4paws.blogspot.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Mar 21, 2013, at 9:56 AM, Scott Davert <scottdavert at gmail.com>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hi Janice.
>>>>>>> Depending on what exactly you are trying to do, an iPod may be a
>>>>>>> better
>>>>>>> bet for you. No data charges come with it, but you also do not get
>>>>>>> cell
>>>>>>> service with it. But if you're always connected to Wifi, that doesn't
>>>>>>> really matter. The other draw-back to an iPod is that it doesn't
>>>>>>> vibrate. So it really depends on what you want out of the device as
>>>>>>> far
>>>>>>> as what you'll pay.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hope this helps,
>>>>>>> Scott
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Mar 21, 2013, at 9:35 AM, Janice Toothman
>>>>>>> <janice.toothman at verizon.net> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I just had my assessment and found out that they do not pay for the
>>>>>>>> data plan that is required for the Iphone often needed for many
>>>>>>>> deaf-blind communication devices. I am in the process of finding out
>>>>>>>> how expensive that would be to add it to my existing phone account,
>>>>>>>> since I think that having it and the Braille Sense U-2 from Hims
>>>>>>>> would
>>>>>>>> be of great benefit to me.
>>>>>>>> Janice
>>>>>>>> On 3/21/2013 12:17 AM, Scott Davert wrote:
>>>>>>>>> It would appear National doesn't monitor this mailing list. I sent
>>>>>>>>> out
>>>>>>>>> info when this program was first authorized last summer. Anyway, I
>>>>>>>>> would encourage anyone who meets the criteria below to get in
>>>>>>>>> contact
>>>>>>>>> utilizing the website or by calling the phone number provided.
>>>>>>>>> After
>>>>>>>>> next year, we do not know whether there will be an extension to the
>>>>>>>>> pogram's funding, so you may want to get in on this now.
>>>>>>>>> One thing that many people have asked about NDBEDP is whether or
>>>>>>>>> not
>>>>>>>>> internet service or data plans are also covered. In NY and a few
>>>>>>>>> other
>>>>>>>>> states that I know of, the individual is responsible for covering
>>>>>>>>> this
>>>>>>>>> cost. They will, however purchase things like computers, braille
>>>>>>>>> displays, screen magnification software, iDevices, etc. I'm not
>>>>>>>>> officially associated with the program itself other than that I
>>>>>>>>> train
>>>>>>>>> professionals in the field, but I do refer people quite often in my
>>>>>>>>> current job.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Scott
>>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On Mar 20, 2013, at 10:01 PM, David Andrews <dandrews at visi.com>
>>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Jernigan Institute
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) would like to pass
>>>>>>>>>> along
>>>>>>>>>> the following information to its members who are deaf-blind. We
>>>>>>>>>> encourage all NFB members to share this information about the
>>>>>>>>>> National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP),
>>>>>>>>>> promoted
>>>>>>>>>> by iCanConnect, a program established by the Federal
>>>>>>>>>> Communications
>>>>>>>>>> Commission (FCC) to distribute assistive technology to people with
>>>>>>>>>> combined hearing and vision loss who require special equipment to
>>>>>>>>>> make a phone call, send an e-mail or access the Internet.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Working in conjunction with the FCC, Perkins School for the Blind,
>>>>>>>>>> the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults
>>>>>>>>>> (HKNC), iCanConnect will connect people who are deaf-blind with
>>>>>>>>>> the proper equipment and training on how to utilize it.
>>>>>>>>>> iCanConnect was mandated by the 21st Century
>>>>>>>>>> Communications
>>>>>>>>>> and Video Accessibility Act and provides a wide range of hardware,
>>>>>>>>>> software and applications to suit the varying communications
>>>>>>>>>> technology needs of people who have hearing loss plus visual
>>>>>>>>>> impairment.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Who can benefit from iCanConnect ? Here are just a few examples.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> ? A recent college graduate who is deaf-blind and wants to use
>>>>>>>>>> Monster.com to search for a job
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> ? A young girl with combined hearing and vision loss who wants to
>>>>>>>>>> use
>>>>>>>>>> Skype to connect via sign language with her grandmother
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> ? A man who has lost sight and hearing as a result of aging and
>>>>>>>>>> wants
>>>>>>>>>> to use e-mail and Facebook to reconnect with friends and family
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Who is eligible?
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Any individual who meets the definition of deaf-blindness in the
>>>>>>>>>> HKNC
>>>>>>>>>> Act and has an income that does not exceed 400 percent of the
>>>>>>>>>> federal
>>>>>>>>>> poverty level can qualify to receive telephone, advanced
>>>>>>>>>> communications, and information services equipment.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Communication is essential for staying healthy, holding a job,
>>>>>>>>>> managing a household, and participating in the community. If you
>>>>>>>>>> know
>>>>>>>>>> someone who might benefit from the iCanConnect program, please
>>>>>>>>>> call
>>>>>>>>>> 1-800-825-4595 or visit the new Web site, www.iCanConnect.org.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>>>>>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
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>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Fri, 22 Mar 2013 06:44:32 -0400
> From: Janice Toothman <janice.toothman at verizon.net>
> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] FCC to distribute assistive technology to people
> with combined hearing and vision loss
> Message-ID: <514C3610.30600 at verizon.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"; Format="flowed"
>
> Hi Sheila,
> An FM system is associated with hearing aids and uses a "directional
> microphone" that another person can wear while speaking or placed in the
> center of a conference table. It amplifies the sounds and sends them
> directly into your hearing aids via a receiver. I find it very helpful
> when walking with someone they can wear it and give me directions and I
> can hear them whether they are beside me or behind me because the FM
> system has a range of about 100 feet. I have sometimes even left me
> classroom to go to the bathroom and the teacher is wearing the
> microphone and depending on the proximity of the restroom to the
> classroom. I can still hear the class discussion in the restroom, even
> if I can not comment!
> Best,
> Janice
> On 3/21/2013 6:08 PM, Sheila Leigland wrote:
>> Hi, what is an fm system? So far I just need hearing aides which I've
>> needed for eight years now.so I don't know much about what is out there
>>
>> Sheila Leigland
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nfb-db mailing list
>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
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> Message: 6
> Date: Fri, 22 Mar 2013 06:39:21 -0600
> From: Sheila Leigland <sleigland at bresnan.net>
> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] FCC to distribute assistive technology to people
> with combined hearing and vision loss
> Message-ID: <auto-000217375074 at fe-4.cluster1.bresnan.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Hi, how expensive is that kind of equiptment sounds great and would be helpful to me.
>
> Sheila Leigland
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