Remote microphone system (FM or DM)
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A remote microphone system sends a teacher's voice wirelessly to a student's hearing devices or a speaker, making speech clearer over distance and noise.
Topic: Vision and hearing
In plain terms
The teacher wears a small microphone, and the signal goes directly to the student's hearing aids, implant processor or receiver. FM is the older radio technology; DM is digital. Classrooms are noisy and echoey, and even a few feet of distance weakens speech, so these systems help many students with hearing loss and some with auditory processing needs.
How it shows up in an IEP
The system is usually listed as assistive technology. Goals can target the student checking the system, asking for it to be used, and passing the microphone during group discussion.
Example
During small-group work, a student hands the remote microphone to whoever is speaking, as practiced with the teacher of the deaf, in 4 of 5 group sessions.
Related terms
- Hearing aidA hearing aid is a small, worn device that makes sounds louder and clearer for a person with hearing loss.
- Cochlear implantA cochlear implant is a surgically implanted device that stimulates the hearing nerve directly, giving access to sound for many people with severe hearing loss.
- Teacher of the deaf and hard of hearingA teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing is a certified specialist who teaches and supports students with hearing loss.
- Assistive technology deviceAn assistive technology device is any item, equipment or software used to increase, maintain or improve the abilities of a student with a disability.
- Hearing impairmentUnder IDEA, hearing impairment is a permanent or fluctuating hearing loss, not severe enough to be deafness, that adversely affects educational performance.
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