Counter Hearing Loops-Microphones, Cables

Introduction

The Center for Hearing Access is a clearinghouse for ideas and products that work for assistive listening systems. The Center does not endorse any product or service. If you know of other products to add to this list, please email us.

Photo of microphone affixed to top right corner of computer screen.
Close up of the image on the right
hearing loop on counter in front of computer screen
small microphone affixed to top of computer monitor
Small microphone affixed to top of computer screen
anchoring the microphone base
Anchored microphone base, so the microphone can always be on and ready
Back of counter hearing loop with fastened microphone
Back of counter hearing loop with fastened microphone

Small Microphones

Are gooseneck microphones in the way? Or being broken, moved, or unplugged? One solution is to install a different kind of microphone.

The Contacta MIC-M74-02-B comes with a small steel right-angle bracket that has an adhesive strip on the bracket and it also has a hole in the bracket that can be attached with a small bolt/screw. It’s a good-quality directional mic. [Photos and description, courtesy of Alan Anttila, Hearing Support Solutions LLC]

The Ampetronic ACBMIC boundary microphone is about 1.5” in diameter and has adhesive tape on the bottom or can be screw mounted; this works best mounted on a flat surface, i.e., the countertop, because it’s a boundary mic. This mic is directional and does not pick up sound from the sides and rear of the mic. I’ve mounted it at the Eugene Airport as a replacement for larger damaged mics. I mounted these in front of the keyboard under the computer screen. This mic has a 3.5mm TRS connector, which would need to be cut off if the counter loop system is a Contacta brand equipment. Let me know if you need wiring details for this mic/Contacta driver combination. Mounting mics on computers gives me pause because, at some point, the computer screen could fail or be replaced/upgraded. Would the person doing the screen swap-out handle getting the mic onto the new screen? I prefer the ACBMIC cardioid boundary mic that can be mounted on the countertop; it’s small and won’t get in anyone’s way….Also, some screens are touch screens, which concerns me regarding the staff tapping on the screen with the mic close at hand. [Courtesy Alan Anttila, Hearing Support Solutions LLC]

Gooseneck Microphones

In the locations that have countertop space, these gooseneck microphones can work on countertops with trained staff.

Portable Omni-directional Microphones

SoundTech CM-1000, 3.5 mm omni-directional microphone. Amazon. This microphone is a good portable microphone for small group meetings, with people around a table, with one person speaking at a time. They can be daisy-chained together. Since it is an omni-directional microphone, it probably is not a good solution where there is a lot of background noise, since it will pick up ALL sound. It may work or may not work for a counter hearing loop.

conference room table with portable counter loop, external microphone, and headphones. Approximately 10 people can sit around the table

Photo of portable hearing loop with SoundTech omni-directional microphone, hearing loop receiver and headphones.

3 omni-directional mics chained with Sarabec PLA90 portable counter hearing loop

Photo of 3 omni-directional mics chained with Sarabec PLA90 portable counter hearing loop. With the long microphone cords, you can spread the microphones on a table, so all voices can be picked up. Just remember that one person at a time needs to speak!

Also, if you have 4 people with hearing loss, you can use 2 or more loops at the same meeting, simultaneously, each with their own aux mic as pictured above.

Another option is to use 1 portable counter loop with up to 6 mics daisy-chained to pick up voices in a large room.

Cables

  • Cable for Portable Hearing Loops, EHS-Built – plug the portable counter loop into an audio device, such as a TV or a computer for Zoom, YouTube etc. [vendor: Event Horizon & Services]
  • Amazon (or other supplier) 3.5mm Auxiliary Male to Female Jack Audio Extension Cable, varying lengths

Resources