Assistive Technology - Frequency Modulated Systems- Krystal Wirscham

What is a Frequency Modulated Systems?

Assistive Listening Devices. (2016). Retrieved February 18, 2016, from necc website

Summary

• Frequency Modulated Systems also called FM transmitters are used for students that may have hearing disabilities. They are also used for students that may have trouble staying focused on what the teacher is saying.
• These devices include a speaker that the student wears and a microphone the the teacher wears. There are also newer hearing aids that have these microphones already built into them.  
• Benefits to using FM transmitters?: Helps block out background noise such as crumpling paper, chairs moving, or fans running. Also it helps keep a more consistent speaking volume from the teacher no matter where they are in the room.

Assess

This website shows what Assistive Listening Devices are and they differnt kinds that are used. I focused more on the FM transmitters because these seem to be the most popular ones that are around. This website does a great job at breaking down the different types of hearing devices used and how they work.

Dynamic Speech Extractor (English) - for better hearing in noise. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAaKVCWT6Y4

Summary

• This video shows why it is important for students with hearing disabilities to use the transmitters. With the combination of noise, distance and reverberation it is often hard for the students to figure out what the teacher is saying.
• it also gives a general illustrated overview of how they work.

Assess

Even though this video doesn’t have the best graphics and the narrator is very monotone I believe that it gives a great overview of how and why these transmitters work. It is important that they are used for the students that need them so that they have the best opportunities to learn.

Reflection

From researching this topic I learned why students may have difficulties hearing and I was also able to gain a better understanding of how a frequency modulated system works.