I noticed that it is suggested to bring headphones if you wear hearing aids. I'm a little confused as to the technology needs. My hearing aids have outlived the normal limits and are 9 years old and are amazingly fine. Someone wrote on this topic at one time but I don't know if things have improved since someone addressed the topic 2 years ago. Do I need to have headphones that plug into some device the tour guide supplies for us? Or if I am able to use the t-coil, is there something else needed for the guide?
Thanks for any advice you may offer since this is a new topic for me. I can hear with my hearing aids out if someone enunciates well but not as well. with my aids in.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5778 posts
If this is on a Rick Steves tour, the guides use the “whisper” system. The guide has a transmitter and each tour member has a receiver. You wear the receiver around your neck and the earpiece plugs into that. They use a standard 3.5mm jack. They supply an earpiece (which is usually a disposable earbud). They suggest you bring headphones since the earbud won’t work with hearing aids in.
Posted by
Minnesota
551 posts
Rick Steves tours use a “whisper system,” Each member of the tour is given a small box (the receiver) anf one ear piece that plugs into the box with a wire. Some people bring their own ear piece or headphone to plug into the receiver. (These receivers are NOT Bluetooth enabled.) The tour guide speaks into his microphone and everyone can hear him through their own receiver and ear piece. It’s a great system because the guide doesn’t have to speak loudly and the tour members can wander some distance from the guide and still hear him, rather than standing in a tight circle trying to hear and not actually looking at the sights!
I wear hearing aids and find that I hear just fine by removing one hearing aid and wearing the provided ear piece in that ear. I continue to wear the second hearing aid. The receiver has volume control so I can turn the volume up as needed. (It’s really important to have a safe place for the aid that I’m not wearing!)
Some people who have a more severe hearing loss prefer to wear headphones that plug into the receiver and can be worn over the hearing aids. It sounds like you would probably do okay with my system.
Posted by
Seattle suburbs
71 posts
What was said above is the norm for RS Tours. The “Whisper System” has been used on all 8 tours we have been on. Last year we had a problem using our Wired Bose earbuds on or Sicily trip. I believe they were using an older model and it would not work with Bose earbuds. It needed a 3.5 “Mono” plug. Current listening devises use a 3.5 stereo plug. The supplied ear phones are the worst.
There are some other options to consider.
- If you plan to use a wired head phone or earbud be sure to take a Mono to Stereo adapter. Very inexpensive. Amazon: Monoprice 3.5mm TS Mono Plug to 3.5mm TRS Stereo Jack Adapter - GoldPlated, Black.
https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-107128-Stereo-Adaptor Plated
An other option is to use an “ AirFly”. It converts the “Whisper System” to Bluetooth. Then you can go wireless and use a Bluetooth head phones or Ear buds. Works on the airplane phone Jack also to go wireless. https://www.amazon.com/AirFly
I currently wear behind the ear aids and use the Apple AirPods with the Air Fly along with my aids. Makes it easy to disconnect when you want. Plus the Whisper System can go in your day pack or pocket or use just one.
PM me if you would like specific information
See you in Portugal on Sept 18 if you are there and safe travels.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks everyone for your comments/suggestions.
I do have AirFly and Apple earbuds so using that will be most helpful. I hear very well without my hearing aids in when using the earbuds so that will work. I appreciate your responses.
Posted by
Seattle suburbs
71 posts
Don’t forget to take a stereo to mono adapter just case.