listening systems for challenging situations

smiling toddler wearing wireless headphones so he can hear clean and audible sound

Photo by Alireza Attari, unsplash.com

When you struggle to hear in noise, reverb or distance, finding solutions to make sound clean and strong is important. Doing so reduces your listening effort. Fortunately, there are listening systems for challenging situations like this.

Three main components to listening systems

A listening system has three main components. First, it’s crucial to capture the sound before noise mixes in. To do so, use a microphone or audio feed from a device. Second, deliver (transmit) that sound straight to you with wired or wireless technology. Finally, figure out the best option for how to listen to that sound.

Four types of listening systems for challenging situations:

Public listening systems help in venues like theaters, auditoriums, and community spaces. This system works in conjunction with a public address system. Learn more about public listening systems.
Personal listening systems such as remote microphones help in smaller, more casual settings. In addition, they help in public spaces that don’t require a public listening system. Remote microphones work really well for one-on-one conversations in places like a noisy restaurant. Likewise, they help to hear someone far away. Learn more about remote microphones and personal listening systems.
Device listening systems send the audio from a computer, tv, or other electronic audio device straight to you instead of using built-in speakers. Learn more about listening to devices.
Home alert systems send audio from alerts like a doorbell, smoke alarm, baby crying, etc. to receivers that are closer, louder, flash or vibrate. Learn more about home alerts.

The following are examples of the various components in various listening systems. Ultimately, your needs depend on your hearing and your lifestyle.

Capture sound at the source

Sound must be captured as close as possible to the source. This keeps it from being contaminated by noise. It’s important to advocate for good use of microphones.

Train people to speak with the microphone within inches of their mouth.
Head-worn microphones work best, even at a computer.
Inform all public speakers to use a microphone, even if they ask not to.
In smaller venues without a sound system, place your own personal microphone on a podium or ask the presenter to wear it. This is a good reason to have a remote mic or personal listening system.
For video conferences, ask people ahead of time to use a headset or in-line mic if at all possible.

For public gatherings:

handheld

lavalier

head worn

For personal situations:

proprietary wireless

off-the-shelf wireless

off-the-shelf handheld

When communicating over devices:

headset

earbuds with in-line mic

external mic for computer

Deliver sound straight to you

Delivering sound directly prevents other noises in your environment from mixing in to contaminate what you want to hear. It also keeps the sound strong. There are a wide assortment of wireless transmitters and receivers and simple wired solutions.

public listening systems

nine remote microphones arranged like a flower to represent remote microphones and personal listening systems proprietary personal systems

off-the-shelf personal systems

Honeywell doorbell and flashing speaker doorbell transmitter/receiver

central alert system with smoke detector smoke alarm transmitter/receiver

television wireless headset with base unit tv transmitter/receiver

Listen with two ears

The final step to hear clean and audible sound is to get the sound into both ears. This should be done in a way that is comfortable, easy to use and meets your needs for audibility.

girl with hearing aid tending plants hearing aids

cochlear implants

wireless earbuds or headphones

Wired earbuds, headphones or things that work in conjunction with hearing aids/CI.

Learn more about wired listening options.