Assistive Listening Device

What is an FM/Assistive Listening Device?

An assistive listening device amplifies sound. The system is comprised of a microphone and a transmitter, worn by the speaker, and a receiver and coupling device, worn by the listener, that transmits sound to the listener's ear or hearing aid. Although not useful for all types of hearing loss, good candidates for the system experience an improved ability to hear both because of amplified sound and because the majority of environmental sounds are masked.

Faculty responsibility

The student will approach the faculty before class to provide the FM  transmitter and microphone, and will pick them up at the end of class. Some classrooms at Oregon State University are "looped" and in those cases, it is not necessary for the faculty member to wear a microphone or transmitter.

The lapel microphone must be placed on a collar or upper lapel area and turned on. Faculty should remember to turn off the microphone when having private conversations. If the microphone has been turned off, please remember to turn it back on before resuming class.

Because the speaker's voice is transmitted directly to the student using the FM system and other noises are screened out, questions and comments from other students in the class cannot be heard. Faculty should repeat those questions and comments so that the student using the FM system can have access to class discussions.

The microphone of an FM system has a limited range. If there will be more than one speaker, such as during a panel discussion, Disability Access Services can provide a conference microphone with a larger range.

Please contact the Manager of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Access Services at DHOH.Services@oregonstate.edu or 541-737-3670 for additional assistance.

Page Updated 11/2014