FM/RF & IR System-FAQ and Troubleshooting

All FM and infrared systems require the user to borrow a receiver and then headphones or neckloop.* Sometimes people don’t want the hassle, don’t know to use the equipment, or don’t want to ask.  As a result, people do different things:

1. Stay home. That would be sad, but sometimes people choose to stay home because they are frustrated that they can’t hear when they are out.
2. Don’t borrow and use the equipment. It’s true, many people do not wish to “out” their hearing loss by using the equipment, and thus will not use it – even though they will miss out on what is being said.
3. Alter your clothing. You can wear dark colors, so the receiver, wire, and headphones (or neckloop) have less of a contrast.
4. Don’t worry about it. Borrow the equipment and participate!

* In contrast, a user doesn’t need to pick up any equipment with a hearing loop.  An person can use their hearing aids as a receiver and discretely connect to the hearing loop, via a built-in telecoil.

Where required, all sites and facilities under Title II entities (state and local governments) and Title III entities (businesses and nonprofit organizations that serve the public) of the ADA, are responsible for having and maintaining their assistive listening system (FM, IR, or hearing loop).

Still, some places have staff turnover, get busy, or are unaware of their civil right responsibilities. 

So to prepare for your visit, you can

1. Check the website. Only Title II entities are required to put information on their website. However, it’s good business practice for Title III entities to include information on the website and other places.

2. Email or call ahead of time. Ask specific questions, such as “I read on your website that you have an FM system.  I just want to verify that you have working receivers and neckloops.”

3. Give yourself extra time. It takes time to find, checkout, verify the equipment is working.

Yes, you have no way of knowing if staff remembered to clean the earbuds after every use. A few options:

1. You can ask the facility for their cleaning supplies and clean the earbuds themselves.
2. You can bring your own alcohol wipes.
3. You can ask the facility to consider purchasing headphones.
4. You can bring your own wired headphones with a 3.5 mm plug.

Many people do not like the monaural ear loops/ear hooks: they can only hearing from one ear and they are cumbersome to wear.

Ask the site if you can borrow headphones instead.

1. Try switching receivers with the staff nearby. You could have dead batteries.

2. Any assistive listening will not work. Find a staff member and ask them to check 1) the transmitter and emitter is plugged in, and 2) the switch is on. Staff may also consult their technical manual for aux-in levels, cords are connected, and other settings.

During your conversation you can ask them if they do a sound check with the system before EVERY event. Staff can use a receiver and headphones to check – it should take less than a minute.