The CONVERSOR is a personal FM system operating as a radio system manufactured for those with hearing loss. A personal FM system is one used by consumers to help them better hear wherever they go. These are battery powered, and quickly utilized for any listening situation.
The one we are discussing today is the CONVERSOR and it is particularly ideal for those with telecoils in their hearing aids because the design includes a built-in teleloop. (A telecoil is not necessary to use this wonderful system).
This is a self-contained FM based assistive device, which offers crystal clear clarity, good broadcasting range and comparable cost. Consisting of a combined microphone/transmitter and combined mini-receiver/induction loop, the CONVERSOR can be worn discreetly under clothing and used most anywhere. The Conversor is compatible with most telecoils and cochlear implants or with a standard binaural headset or single and dual earbud.
Because this is designed for hearing loss, the frequencies it uses are ADA compliant. This means that, often, the receiver alone can be used to pick up the signal from an existing ADA compliant FM system installed in a public building. (But the existing system needs to be operating on the same channel as your device. The factory set channel is 216 MHZ.)
Though there are many styles and manufacturers of personal FM systems this one is unique in two areas, arguably three, four, five, six, seven and even eight areas.
The most unique feature is its built-in audio loop. The teleloop is also a strap to hang around the neck. This means one less piece needed to connect together. And it's one less piece to track. Quite nice, indeed!
If you don't have telecoils, well then, you plug in a headphone, or earbud, or anything that has a 3.5 mm plug (optional). So, telecoils or not, hearing aids or not, this system is ready to go.
The second best thing is it's compact size. It is very small and both pieces could fit in the palm of your hand.
The third best thing is it's built in battery charger. This means no need to remove its batteries. The system has a separate charger that needs to be plugged into an outlet. From that charger are two cables. One is plugged into the transmitter and the other into the receiver. A green light goes on when the connections are made. Plus the batteries do not need to be completely run down before being recharged. Nor do they need to be fully recharged before being used (except for its first time).
In fact in just 25 minutes of charge time you get one hour of use. Two hours will fully charge the system. The green lights will flash when the batteries are fully charged. A full two-hour charge will give you eight hours of use. You cannot harm the system by inadvertently switching the hook-up around. But the light won't go on which informs you of improper connection. Foolproof. Quite nice indeed! The fourth best thing is it's multi-function microphone. It offers choices to capture sound. One choice is the zoom focus (directional) that really works. The second choice is it's wide-area-focusing selection that really works too. A slide control operates this feature. Point it at a speaker and slide the switch to zoom; you get a better focus on their voice.
When the microphone is set to "Zoom" it will mainly pick up sounds from the front. What you hear depends on the direction in which it is pointing. It will also reduce the level of sounds coming from other directions, helping you to hear the sound you have selected.
The microphone has a built-in necklace ring. This allows the microphone to be worn around the neck of the speaker. The distance between the speaker's mouth and microphone can then be adjusted. Where the speaker goes, so does the microphone. Nice.
For socializing in your home, the microphone may be placed on the table between you and your companion. Its zoom feature provides excellent sound pick-up.
At the dinner table, within a group of people, placing the microphone on the table and switching it to "Wide" mode will allow you to hear several conversations. For hearing in the car, the speaker can put the microphone around the neck. Then adjust the microphone to be close to their mouth. This will reduce car noise. I find this extremely comforting.
The fifth best thing is its Direct Audio Input feature (DIA). With this you may directly connect to a TV, Radio or other sound source via a cable. This gives a very high quality amplified sound that will transmit to your hearing aid. (You will need to purchase a connector cable at a Radio Shack or similar electronics store).
The sixth best thing is its noise reduction feature. It consists of an "ON" switch position for normal or noisy situations and an "ON HI" setting for quiet situations. The quiet setting also provides a 10 dB boost in the sound. Its seventh great feature is the receiver. The receiver has a volume control and both the receiver and microphone has a green LED light to indicate that they are working. No need to second-guess if they are on working or the batteries are failing. Quite nice indeed!
The eighth best thing, and this is arguable because what sounds good to one person may not sound good to another. But I've used many and I believe the sound quality with this CONVERSOR is really good. Put it this way, if you successfully use telecoils the CONVERSOR FM system will, make you happy for it's quality sound, compactness, versatility and ease of use. It has a simple, and clear manual explaining how it all works with suggestions for use. Includes a trouble shooting section.
Clearly, the CONVERSOR was designed for the Hard of Hearing consumer whether they lead an active life or a quiet one. I know of no other FM system that has a built-in telecoil coupler, and compactness. Quite nice indeed!
To see a picture of it, go here: http://hearing-loss-help-co.com/217.htm Suggested retail is $999. You may purchase it from any major retailer of Assistive Listening Devices. For more information contact Curtis Dickinson at Curtis@Hearing-Loss-Help-Co.com
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