Technology Test Drive

The HLC Technology Test Drive service offers deaf people, and their families, the opportunity to try a range of assistive listening devices. Some can be borrowed. to try out at home. 

Everyone has a different level of hearing loss and it can be very expensive to purchase a product which then proves to be ineffective – so please make sure you get good advice and use one of our recommended providers.

Hearing Loss Cornwall has a small selection of amplified telephones,  audio and assistive listening devices as well as hearing loop amplifier systems. So, if you need some kit, you are welcome to come and try this equipment at our premises. Hearing Loss Cornwall also has a variety of catalogues and information available to help you find further equipment from a range of providers. This is a service that we are planning to expand so watch this space!

Quick fact: 
Telephone Placement 

To hear with a hearing aid on the phone, hold the telephone near the hearing aid microphone, if you have a behind the ear hearing aid this will be behind your ear.The service is provided to HLC members free of charge. Each item requires a deposit to be left and usually there is a 7 day hire period. Our Technology Test Drive can help you decide which products can help you in your home and enable you to try more than one item. If you decide to purchase any of the products, we can help you with this process.

Please note that we are not a shop and therefore any future representations will be made direct to the supplier of the goods in accordance with all the trading standards that apply.

We also have a range of specialist telephones set-up on our simulator, so that you can try these out in our premises. Telephones vary in clarity, pitch and tone so this is your opportunity to find what suits you best.

Get in the loop!..available to hire

Our Phonak Wireless Listening Device  is available to hire for functions, meetings and public events, Hearing Loss Cornwall can provide a Phonak Wireless Listening Device with a Roger Pen & MyLink bundle which comes with a range of functions and uses. We also have a clip-on mic now available. 

It can be used to amplify sound and feed it directly to hearing aids in a variety of situations. It comes with a Roger Pen which acts as the transmitter. This is a microphone which can pick up directional sound, whilst reducing background noise. This is perfect in a conversation or a meeting, where it can be placed on a table or held by the speaker. The sound is picked up by compatible Phonak digital hearing aids, or by the MyLink Neckloop receiver which is worn around your neck. All you need to do to hear the sounds picked up from the Roger Pen is make sure that  hearing aids are set to "loop" or "T-setting".

The Phonak Wireless Listening Device is brilliant:

In a large group, sitting round a table - Stick the Roger Pen on the table and it will automatically switch to an omni-directional mode so that the person with hearing loss can hear everyone 
sat around.

Listening to a presentation - Give the Roger Pen to the lecturer or tour guide so that the deaf person can hear as clearly as if they were standing next to the speaker. The Roger Pen comes with a lanyard for easy wearing too.

Hearing Loss Cornwall have five receivers available to enable more than one deaf person to benefit at a time. Due to the nature of the product we do have to request a deposit payment in advance of the loan and, ideally, as much notice as possible is required, so that you can rely on it being available. It is easy to set up and discreet with no wires involved. Full details here

Portable Induction Loop System.

We also have a portable induction loop system available for hire from the office. This is a specialised type of amplifier kit which allows a hearing aid user to hear, with ease, within a group meeting at any indoor venue of up to 50 square metres. It comes with full instructions on how to use the portable induction loop system.

A Portable Table-Top Loop is also available. This is only suitable for a one-on-one conversation in close proximity.

If you are interested in finding out more, including availability, costs, or to make a booking of this hearing loop system, simply contact the office. Let us know what you require, when and where you will need the support.

The Equality Act 2010 says that organisations who provide services for the public must take reasonable measures to make sure those services are accessible to disabled people including those who are deaf or hard of hearing. This normally means providing some communication support.

Induction Loop Systems - Keeping you in the loop

Hearing Loss Cornwall work alongside qualified technicians who are trained to install and support AFILS Induction Hearing Loop Systems. Our experts (West Communications Ltd) have extensive knowledge and experience providing simple and complex low-spill loops. They can  quote for the installation of Hearing Loop Equipment into Public Venues throughout Cornwall ensuring the equipment is setup correctly and fully tested.

Our specialists also provide Wireless Hearing Solutions, ideal should you wish to ensure privacy within a designated space e.g. council chamber or a consultation room. This is also an ideal solution where neighbouring rooms need separate systems. This same technology is also highly suited to tour guide systems in museums and other leisure attractions.

HLC have been working on projects with Penlee Gallery, Royal Cornwall Museum, The National Trust, Cornwall Council and others to help improve the hearing experience.
If you are interested in induction loop systems, please contact Hearing Loss Cornwall for more information. 

Next Generation Text

The world is moving on. Here is a link to information and guidance on how to use the modern textphone system of Next Generation Text.  You can contact us on our normal phone number simply by adding 18001 as a prefix to our normal number 01872 225868..

Download NGT information