Tips & Tricks – Hands On Hearing

Using Google Meet with live captions on a computer/tablet

Written by Mary Beth Napoli on August 21, 2020. Posted in Tips & Tricks.

Google recently added one-click live captioning to Google Slides and Google Meet. When enabled, captions are displayed in real time across the bottom of each app’s screen. Not only does live captioning extend access to presentations and meetings for participants with hearing loss, but it is also beneficial for soft-spoken presenters or noisy environments. At this time, captions are: Only...

Using Captioning Apps When Others Are Wearing Masks

Written by Tina Childress and Catharine McNally on April 26, 2020. Posted in Tips & Tricks.

Using LiveTranscribe App

Written by Mary Beth Napoli on February 14, 2020. Posted in Tips & Tricks.

Live Transcribe is an accessibility app designed for the Deaf and hard of hearing and usable by anyone. Using Google’s state-of-the-art automatic speech recognition technology, Live Transcribe performs real-time transcription of speech and sound to text on your screen, so you can more easily participate in conversations going on in the world around you. You can also keep the conversation...

User review on Artone 3 MAX Bluetooth Neckloop

Written by Mary Beth Napoli on February 14, 2020. Posted in Tips & Tricks.

I have been using the Artone 3 MAX BT neckloop with my bilateral Med-El CIs for years! It is so awesome that I own several of them so one is always charged and ready. This is by far my most used piece of assistive tech. I have given a rating for each section out of 5 stars. Wearing comfort: This BT neckloop is so tiny and light! I do not even know I have it on. It can be worn under a shirt...

CozyPhones Flat Stereo Headband Speakers with MED-EL CI Processors

Written by Mary Beth Napoli on February 1, 2020. Posted in Tips & Tricks.

A video tutorial to show how the inexpensive CozyPhones can be a great tool for listening. CozyPhones contain high-quality flat speakers that are very comfortable to wear and can even attach directly to your RONDOs. Watch Video Link to CozyPhones site.

Top 10 Tips For Enjoying The Holiday Season With Your CI

Written by Jeff Campagna on January 29, 2020. Posted in Tips & Tricks.

Tis the Season to be jolly! No matter the celebration—Christmas, Hanukah, Ramadan, Independence Day, etc, how can you make sure to get the most out of any holiday season? Keri Reynolds, a bilateral cochlear implant user shares some ways to enjoy this holiday season with your CI, including helpful communication tips. #10 Advocate for yourself! Actually, self-advocacy is important all year...

Using Mono vs Stereo in Headsets

Written by Jeff Campagna on January 5, 2020. Posted in Tips & Tricks.

I recently obtained some very nice Bose headsets (Quiet Comfort 35) and have been experimenting with the audio settings. A bilateral CI user or bimodal user (CI and hearing aid) can enjoy some very interesting stereo sound from high-end products like Bose. Consider headsets that have large earcups that cover your entire audio processor for the best sound quality. A “stereo” sound is simply a...

Using EarGear with MED-EL Processors

Written by Jeff Campagna on August 23, 2016. Posted in Tips & Tricks.

EarGear offers a variety of products — for SONNET, OPUS, and RONDO. Their site is clearly labeled and easy to navigate. I have used their cochlear implant product and it has never failed me. However, I did find it to be a little bulky from time to time. I frequently use the Mini Cordless product for my SONNET or OPUS 2. This product is actually designed for hearing aids, but provides a perfect and...

Using Telecoil when Playing Instruments

Written by Jeff Campagna on January 17, 2015. Posted in Tips & Tricks.

Have you tried using a telecoil accessory when playing along to music? I connect my telecoil neckloop to my computer, select MT (Microphone/Telecoil) on my FineTuner, and strum my guitar to the music played off my computer. I can turn the volume as loud as I want on the computer (via Telecoil) and can still hear my guitar accompaniment (via Microphone). It works very nicely and I prefer this...

Using Telecoil on Airplane and/or Car

Written by Jeff Campagna on November 23, 2014. Posted in Tips & Tricks.

As I mention in my workshops, electromagnetic interference (EMI) is quite strong in airplanes and automobiles. EMI can restrict the use of telecoil in these environments, and is usually characterized by a loud hum or static that can interfere with listening. I have often said that listening with telecoil can be extremely difficult in these environments and recommended using an audio cable instead. However,...

Don’t know about telecoil? ASK your audiologist about it.

Written by Jeff Campagna on April 20, 2014. Posted in Tips & Tricks.

After a recent presentation to parents and professionals at at camp for children with hearing loss, the parents brought their kids to experiment with the equipment (via telecoil neckloops). I counted eleven kids – most of them teens – and some of them brought their own iPods and tablets to listen from. When I asked them to turn on their telecoils to start listening with the...

Headphones in Remote Controls

Written by Jeff Campagna on April 15, 2014. Posted in Tips & Tricks.

I bought a media streamer, called a ROKU, that I connected to our TV in the family room. Media streamers connect directly to your TV and to your high-speed Internet service via your home network. There are hundreds of free channels, subscriptions services like Netflix, Hulu Plus, and convenient ways to rent or buy a favorite film or show with M-GO, Amazon Instant Video, VUDU or Redbox. But...

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