Firstly... I don't know a lot about FM systems just yet but I plan on testing the FM system quite regularly as I do with his hearing aids. I'm sure there is a chance that the FM could malfunction between testing... but I'm willing to take that chance for the amount of times this happens vs. the amount of times it works properly and helps Tyler. Not to mention I think Tyler would somehow try to convey to me that there is a problem - he does that now with his aids. If they aren't working he pulls them out and brings them to me (or gives them to his older brother who brings them to me).
Secondly... he is NOT at home all day - he goes to preschool 3 mornings a week with approx. 20 students and 3 teachers. I'm going to send his FM to school with him and let his resource teacher use it.
And as for minimal background noise in our home... as with any home with children and dogs/cats and such - there is quite a bit of background noise. People talking, music playing, noisy toys, tv on, telephone ringing, dog barking, etc... When I'm working with him on speech I try to eliminate as much of this background noise but it's not always possible - not to mention I want Tyler to be able to hear speech over all these other sounds for the majority of the day (not just during our speech sessions).
I've been researching FM systems and from what I read they do make speech clearer (isn't that the main purpose) - I know they won't make it any louder but clearer yes. I'm hoping with closer and clearer speech directly in his aids - it will improve his understanding.
