fm and wheelchairs
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It would depend on what you wanted to hear. If someone was pushing you and you wanted to hear them, then you could place the transmitter on the back of the chair with the mic facing up, if the person was in front of you, then on the front, facing towards them. This hardly seems like rocket science....
sorry i dont explain things property they(the goverment) are build a tray for the fm transmitters with the hope that i will be able to hear speech from other people and with the hope that i be hear things like the bus station bus calls, the emeracy sirens, cars coming towards me/away from me
Anij
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I would recommend trying a neckloop (for the Hoh user) and an lapel mic that can be clipped to the speaker ... I don't think the system would be practical for anything other than 1-2 communication though.
another option is getting a battery powered Portable FM unit (creates an FM field of about 3m square) that is taken out when needed and then put back when not in use - keep in mind that this unit would only be helpful for people standing very close. For school/church etc settings the only way FM will work is if the location is willing and able ($$) to install an FM loop into the building that can be accessed by anyone with either Tcoil HAs or a FM loop.
To clarify - I can't see how FM would help you detect things outside of the looped area (a few meters at best) ... especially cars, or bus station calls - I'd recommend staying within visual range of the driver, informing them that you're Hoh and can't hear the bus stops and ask them to stop at the desired location and make sure that you are able to get off the bus.
another option is getting a battery powered Portable FM unit (creates an FM field of about 3m square) that is taken out when needed and then put back when not in use - keep in mind that this unit would only be helpful for people standing very close. For school/church etc settings the only way FM will work is if the location is willing and able ($$) to install an FM loop into the building that can be accessed by anyone with either Tcoil HAs or a FM loop.
To clarify - I can't see how FM would help you detect things outside of the looped area (a few meters at best) ... especially cars, or bus station calls - I'd recommend staying within visual range of the driver, informing them that you're Hoh and can't hear the bus stops and ask them to stop at the desired location and make sure that you are able to get off the bus.
LoveBlue
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Anij, FM and Loop are two different things. inmate23 is asking about FM.
inmate23, I've fairly new to using FM, so I can't think of how to help with your inquiry. FM is great...when it's only picking up the sounds you want to hear. I'm afraid that in a noisy place like a bus station, you'd hear everything and may still not be able to hear/distinguish the announcements. I hope someone can come up with a viable solution for you.
inmate23, I've fairly new to using FM, so I can't think of how to help with your inquiry. FM is great...when it's only picking up the sounds you want to hear. I'm afraid that in a noisy place like a bus station, you'd hear everything and may still not be able to hear/distinguish the announcements. I hope someone can come up with a viable solution for you.
Always better to have too many security measures than not enough. This coming from someone who has missed their bus stop many a time.
girlingrey
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Hey, I'm just wondering if you came up with a solution?
The only thing I can think of would be some sort of retractable with the FM attached. I don't know how well this would work, because it would pick up everything, but it might give you some directional ability. I also don't know anything about your motor. At least for emergency vehicles, what about picking up a "siren detector"? I haven't done much research on this, but it looks like there are some developmental models, and some you might be able to try on Ebay and such. That's something that could be mounted on your wheelchair to give you a visual signal of emergency vehicles, at least allowing you to be slightly more alert.
What you are trying to do is simply what we're all trying to do- caption the world, and make it more accessible to everybody.
The only thing I can think of would be some sort of retractable with the FM attached. I don't know how well this would work, because it would pick up everything, but it might give you some directional ability. I also don't know anything about your motor. At least for emergency vehicles, what about picking up a "siren detector"? I haven't done much research on this, but it looks like there are some developmental models, and some you might be able to try on Ebay and such. That's something that could be mounted on your wheelchair to give you a visual signal of emergency vehicles, at least allowing you to be slightly more alert.
What you are trying to do is simply what we're all trying to do- caption the world, and make it more accessible to everybody.
girlingrey
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Also, to tack on to that (this is me dreaming) imagine if all bluetooth headsets came equipped with a frequency that people with hearing aids and cochlear implants could skip to. The distance would only be like 100 ft, but you'd still run into interference and such. An fm, simply built into access for everyone w. bluetooth/hearing devices 
Like a walkie talkie... Hey!
Like a walkie talkie... Hey! what we came up with was attaching it with Velcro(im not happy) to the side guard mount and then 2 inchs(5cm) will be cut out of the side guard to accommodate the smartlink
i promise i will post pictures when i get my new chair
i promise i will post pictures when i get my new chair
Also, to tack on to that (this is me dreaming) imagine if all bluetooth headsets came equipped with a frequency that people with hearing aids and cochlear implants could skip to. The distance would only be like 100 ft, but you'd still run into interference and such. An fm, simply built into access for everyone w. bluetooth/hearing devices
the oticon epoq(sp?) is bluetooth
girlingrey
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Hmm. Please do post pictures. I tried some googling, and it looks like the side guard comes up at a 90 degree angle on the sides of the seat? AKA a side guard? Sorry, I know nothing about wheel chairs, nor what particular equipment you use. I have to wonder what possible designs you yourself was thinking of?
I have to assume that a simple box system will not work with your hearing loss- E.G. a basic Mic/transmitter mounted near handle or that general area, then perhaps the receiver/speaker set up mounted in to an extension either to a back corner or (if you are using a wheel chair with head rest/high back) built right into the headrest, essentially acting like an external hearing aid with a semi-directional mic. I don't know how much this would help with specific conversation, but it might help with general noise- might see improvement with conferring with bus drivers, etc.
Honestly, the only other thing that keeps popping into my head is a livecaption system with speech recognition software like youtube uses (though it is not amazinly successful), possibly mounted on the arms of the chair or an elevated, fold/telescoping banner style. Again, this would also be difficult in loud situations (if it was livecaptioning) however, it could be used as an effective communication tool if in a loud environment, or even a portable type you could use to adapt the environment you're immediately in to aid you- for example, while you're using public transit, the scrollbar could be hung in your view and..... you know the drill.
yes a side guard comes up 90 degrees from the seat
here are some links to pictures of what im talking about
http://yourhearing.net/store/prodimages/phonakbundle.jpg the smartlink and mylink
http://apex-composites.com/lightbox-images/cf-side-guards.jpg
evil_queen_lisa
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maybe not what you are talking about, but here's my 2 cents...
I have a good friend at home who uses a wheelchair. When we go out places she usually goes in her manual so that we can take my car. Because I'm pushing her i can't see her face, so she usually wears my FM around her neck. Works pretty well around walmart, etc, but we don't use it in the parking lot. Just not safe because I can't hear surrounding sounds as well. We just save conversations until we are in the store.
*EQL*
I have a good friend at home who uses a wheelchair. When we go out places she usually goes in her manual so that we can take my car. Because I'm pushing her i can't see her face, so she usually wears my FM around her neck. Works pretty well around walmart, etc, but we don't use it in the parking lot. Just not safe because I can't hear surrounding sounds as well. We just save conversations until we are in the store.
*EQL*
evil_queen_lisa
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evil_queen_lisa
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Hey Inmate,
The only other thing I can think of other than attaching it to the clothing guard (like you are planning now) is attaching it to the back of your backrest. It would be a little higher, closer to your head, and centered. Not sure of your Upper body ROM, but if you can reach across your shoulder than you could unvelcro it and hold it up to someone or point it in a particular direction if you needed to. If you put a backpack on your handles there should still be enough clearance that it wouldnt rub.
What color/style/model of W/C are you getting? (just curious)
*EQL*
im getting the one arm drive version of this chair http://www.melrosechairs.co.nz/custommade/stallion.html
this some info on one drive chair(they are not common and the company rep was trying to discourage both i and the therapist from completing the purchase but i no they work well with my rom so we went ahead anyway)
and the wheel set up wil lookl something like this http://www.1800wheelchair.com/siteimages/large/invacare-onearm-right.jpg
it will be black
and i will post pictures of the chair on this thread
this some info on one drive chair(they are not common and the company rep was trying to discourage both i and the therapist from completing the purchase but i no they work well with my rom so we went ahead anyway)
and the wheel set up wil lookl something like this http://www.1800wheelchair.com/siteimages/large/invacare-onearm-right.jpg
it will be black
and i will post pictures of the chair on this thread
Attachments
Here are pictures of how we attached my fm system to my wheelchair
the company cut a 2 inch(5cm) slot(photo 10) in the side guard and placed velcro on the arm rest pole(photo 10) and on the fm system(photo 9) i have use of the buttons on the back of the fm system(photo 8) and if i reach over the side guard i usxe of the buttons and screen of the fm system(photo 11)
the company cut a 2 inch(5cm) slot(photo 10) in the side guard and placed velcro on the arm rest pole(photo 10) and on the fm system(photo 9) i have use of the buttons on the back of the fm system(photo 8) and if i reach over the side guard i usxe of the buttons and screen of the fm system(photo 11)
