Telecoil Hearing Aids

Q: What is the best hearing aid model for me?

In general, any audiologist will always recommend to you the hearing aid model that best suits your needs . Here is a useful checklist to make sure that is the case. Audiologist's level of knowledge: The audiologist you have seen will hopefully have a wide knowledge of all available hearing aids ; however, some will only be familiar with a small number of brands and, therefore, may not really be in a position to know which model is the best for you. It is OK to challenge their recommendation and ask them to justify why this particular brand is the one for you. Do research: Read about the hearing aid that was recommended. Does it seem like it will suit your lifestyle? Does it have more or fewer features than you need? Be aware of sales targets: Many high street retailers have specific tie-ins to a particular manufacturer/brand. The hearing aid they have suggested may still be the correct one for you, but do your research so that you know why they might have recommended it. You can read our best hearing aids of this year here

Q: What are the benefits of rechargeable hearing aids?

For most people, the main benefit of a rechargeable hearing aid is simple convenience. We are used to plugging in our phones and other devices overnight for them to charge up. Here are some other pros and cons: For anybody with poor dexterity or issues with their fingers, having a rechargeable aid makes a huge difference, as normal hearing aid batteries are quite small and some people find them fiddly to change. One downside is that if you forget to charge your hearing aid , then it is a problem that can't be instantly fixed. For most, a 30-minute charge will get you at least two or three hours of hearing, but if you are the type of person who is likely to forget to plug them in regularly, then you're probably better off with standard batteries. Rechargeable aids are also a little bit bigger and are only available in Behind-the-Ear models. Finally, just like with a mobile phone, the amount of charge you get on day one is not going to be the same as you get a few years down the line. Be sure to ask what the policy is with the manufacturer's warranty when it comes to replacing the battery.

Q: Are Behind-the-Ear hearing aids better than In-the-Ear hearing aids?

For most people, the answer is yes. But it's never that simple. The majority of hearing problems affect the high frequencies a lot more than the low ones. Therefore, open fitting hearing aids sound a lot more natural and ones that block your ears up can make your own voice sound like you are talking with your head in a bucket. Therefore, in-ear aids tend to be less natural. However, the true answer is we can't tell until we have had a look in your ears to assess the size of your ear canal, and until we have tested your hearing to see which frequencies are being affected. People with wider ear canals tend to have more flexibility, also there are open fitting modular CIC hearing aids now that do not block your ears. There is also the age-old rule to consider, that a hearing aid will not help you if it's sat in the drawer gathering dust. If the only hearing aid you would be happy wearing is one that people can't see, then that's what you should get. Most people can adapt to any type of hearing aid , as long as they know what to expect. Have an honest conversation with your audiologist as to what your needs are.

Q: What are channels, and how many do I need?

Generally speaking, six or more. Unless it's none at all. The number of channels a hearing aid has is often a simplistic way an audiologist will use to explain why one hearing aid is better than another, but channels are complex, and it is really not that straightforward. Here are some reasons why: Hearing aids amplify sounds of different frequencies by different amounts. Most people have lost more high frequencies than low, and therefore need more amplification in the high frequencies . The range of sounds you hear is split into frequency bands or channels, and the hearing aids are set to provide the right amount of hearing at each frequency level. Less than six channels, and this cannot be done with much accuracy, so six is the magic number. However, a six-channel aid is typically very basic with few other features and is suitable only for hearing a single speaker in a quiet room. The number of channels is not what you should be looking at; it's more the rest of the technology that comes with them. As a final note, different manufacturers have different approaches. One method is not necessarily better than any other. For example, some manufacturers have as many as 64 channels in their top aids. Most tend to have between 17 and 20. One manufacturer has no channels at all.

Q: What's covered in a manufacturer's warranty?

Manufacturer's warranties typically last between 2-5 years, depending on the brand and model, and cover defects in materials and workmanship. This includes repairs for component failures, electronic malfunctions, and manufacturing defects, but excludes damage from misuse, accidents, or normal wear. Most manufacturers also include loss and damage insurance for the first year. We handle all warranty claims on your behalf, liaising with manufacturers and ensuring you get replacement devices quickly when needed. This comprehensive warranty coverage, combined with our lifetime aftercare, gives you complete peace of mind. Find out more about our warranty cover here

Q: How much does the hearing test cost?

Our hearing tests are completely free, whether at our clinics or in your home . Unlike other providers who charge £30-£100 for home visits , we believe hearing healthcare should be accessible without financial barriers. Our comprehensive assessments include examination by an HCPC-registered audiologist , audiogram results, and personalised recommendations. All testing, future adjustments, and ongoing support are included at no extra cost. While NHS tests are also free, typical 6-week waiting periods often lead people to seek immediate private testing. We provide prompt, professional assessments that fit your schedule and budget.

Q: Do you offer home visits, and are they included in the price?

Yes, we offer completely free home visits throughout the UK, and this service is included in our prices with no additional charges. Home visits are particularly valuable for people with mobility issues, busy schedules, or those who simply prefer the comfort and convenience of their own environment. Our audiologists can conduct full hearing tests, fit hearing aids, and provide ongoing support in your home. This service sets us apart from many providers who either don't offer home visits or charge extra for them.

Q: Why are your hearing aids cheaper than what I'd pay on the high street?

We can offer prices up to 40% lower than high street retailers because of our business model. As a network of 200+ independent audiologists , we don't have the massive overheads of large retail chains - no expensive high street premises, no sales targets pushing audiologists to sell the most expensive options, and no costly marketing campaigns. However, we maintain the same buying power as the big chains because we purchase on behalf of our entire nationwide network. This means you get access to the same premium hearing aids with professional service, but at genuinely competitive prices.

Q: How long do I have to try the hearing aids before committing to keep them?

We offer a comprehensive 60-day money-back guarantee, which gives you twice the industry standard time to properly assess whether your hearing aids are right for you. This extended period recognises that adjusting to hearing aids takes time, and your brain needs several weeks to adapt to the amplified sounds. Unlike many providers who offer just 30 days, we believe 60 days gives you the confidence to test your hearing aids in all the situations that matter to you - from quiet conversations at home to busy restaurants and outdoor activities.

Q: Can I really buy hearing aids online without visiting a clinic first? Why can't I do this with your company?

While some companies do sell hearing aids online without professional involvement, we don't offer this service because we genuinely believe it's not in your best interests. Hearing aids aren't like buying glasses online - they require professional assessment, precise programming to your specific hearing loss pattern, and proper fitting to work effectively. Through our network of over 200 qualified independent audiologists across the UK, we ensure you receive a proper hearing test, expert guidance on the right device for your needs, and professional fitting. This approach means you're far more likely to be satisfied with your hearing aids and actually use them regularly.

Telecoil Hearing Aids (T-coil)

What are telecoil hearing aids and why are they important?

Last Hearing Aid UK Update: 10/08/2026

Overview

Telecoil hearing aids, or T-coils, work a little differently to standard hearing aids. Instead of relying on a microphone alone, they pick up magnetic signals wirelessly from compatible phones and induction loop systems, so sound reaches you more directly.

The result is less background noise and much clearer sound in places like theatres and churches, spaces that can otherwise feel genuinely tricky for people with hearing loss.

In this article, we'll walk you through what telecoils are, how they work alongside loop systems, who tends to benefit most, and whether this could be a feature worth asking your audiologist about.

Before telecoils

Although hearing aids are instrumental in helping people hear better, relying on the device’s built-in microphones is not the best option for every occasion.

Around 3 million people in the UK currently use hearing aids, according to RNID, and even they can still face challenges in understanding speech in public places. Let's take a visit to a church as an example.

A minister’s sermon will likely sound muddled for a hearing aid wearer because a cavernous church will easily reverberate and mix speech sounds with the surrounding background noise, obscuring the minister’s words.

What if I told you that a decades-old, widely available technology could remove all the background noise from the church and make the minister's words immediately clearer? This is what’s possible with a telecoil.

Telecoils in hearing aids - What are they and what do they do?

What are telecoil hearing aids? Telecoil-equipped hearing aids include a small coil that is inside many hearing aids. It is similar to an antenna that picks up magnetic signals and sends them as audio to your hearing aids.

Typically, a hearing aid picks up sound using a microphone and then amplifies it. A telecoil works differently - with this feature, the hearing aid "hears" a magnetic pulse and then amplifies that sound signal.

What is a loop system?

To be able to use your hearing aid’s telecoil feature, you need to enter an area that contains a loop system.

Loop systems are composed of three parts— a microphone, a loop amplifier, and a loop of wire. The loop of wire is positioned around the circumference of the physical space.

The space may be very large, such as a concert venue or a church, or rather small, such as a living room. A loop can even be mounted around a person's head (called a neck loop).

Hearing aid loops and mobile phones

To assist those listening to mobile phones with a hearing aid, people usually prefer accessing Bluetooth technology. However, there are many universal solutions for this out there on the market, which are suitable with your hearing aids set to the 'T' or 'Loop' program setting.

Telecoil Hearing Aid Technology

Telecoils, hearing aids and loop systems

How do telecoils and loop systems work together?

Here is how the hearing loop works in conjunction with a telecoil to send sound directly into your ear:

A microphone captures the audio signal from the source, TV, stereo, or a public PA system.
The signal is amplified and sent along a loop of wire that runs around the space.
This creates a magnetic field that mirrors the original sound.
Switching to telecoil mode connects a small coil inside your hearing aid to the amplifier, and that coil is built specifically to pick up nearby magnetic fields, including the one created by the loop.
From there, the field generates a matching electrical signal in the coil. Your hearing aid's amplifier boosts that signal, so what reaches your ears is a clear, accurate version of the original sound.

Why should you use the hearing aid telecoil mode? What are the benefits of it?

Telecoils come with a handful of real perks, and top of the list is how much clearer speech becomes when you switch it on.

Hearing aid microphones have a limited range, but the telecoil offers greater audibility for people with hearing aids when listening to speech, sometimes even better than for people with normal hearing!

It does this by cutting out unwanted background noise.

Telecoils are more inconspicuous. When a loop system is in place, hearing aid wearers don’t have to risk an embarrassing situation by asking for an extra device, which could mark them out as someone saddled with hearing loss.

Plus, there is no need to use bulky, expensive receivers when the telecoil is already within the hearing aid itself.

Telecoils are also more accessible. Anyone with a compatible hearing aid can use the system, and it will serve everyone who can stand inside the loop.

Do I need telecoil hearing aids?

That said, telecoils aren't the right fit for every situation, and that's worth knowing before you decide. For instance, they are not optimised for music and are non-portable. Telecoils are designed for speech signals, so music may sound distorted as a result.

This is based on the fact that music is often made up of higher frequencies than the bandwidth of the telecoil can manage.

Using telecoils within a venue requires a fixed loop to be mounted in the space. The loop cannot be transported easily to other locations, and the power of the sound signal is limited to the boundaries of the loop itself.

For example, if a loop is installed for a TV in the living room, the signal strength decreases significantly when the user leaves the living room.

Hearing Aids With Telecoil

Telecoil for Hearing Aids

A widely available technology

A greater scope of sound at your fingertips

Under the Equality Act 2010, hearing loss is recognised as a disability, and service providers have a legal duty to make "reasonable adjustments" so disabled customers aren't put at a disadvantage.

A hearing loop is one of the auxiliary aids commonly used to meet that duty, which is why they're now widely available in many public spaces, though the specific adjustments required can vary by business.

A telecoil hearing aid means you will benefit from a greater scope of sound wherever you are, and you don't miss out on the important things in life, like conferences and live gigs. Hearing loops are therefore common in public spaces across the UK, such as:

Churches
Concert halls
Universities
Airports
Museums (for guided tours)

"Telecoils are one of those features people don't think about until they need them, then they realise how much it changes things. We always ask patients about the places they struggle most, church, theatre, family gatherings, because that's usually where a telecoil makes the real difference, far more than any spec sheet number."

Paul Harrison, Audiology Expert & Founder, Hearing Aid UK

How do I find hearing loop systems near me?

If you’re unsure whether a particular venue provides hearing loop services, just look for the loop logo (example below). You can also locate places with loop systems via Google Maps or use an app to indicate where loop systems are in place, such as LoopFinder.

telecoil symbol

Do all hearing aids come with Telecoil technology?

No, not all hearing aids have telecoils, but the number is increasing. Broadly speaking, the smaller the unit, the less likely it is to contain a telecoil. This is because the telecoil is usually too large to fit into the smallest devices.

Telecoils are most likely found in two styles of hearing aids: In-the-Ear (ITE) and Behind-the-Ear (BTE). As a rule of thumb, if the hearing aid uses a size 10 battery, it won't include a telecoil.

Which hearing aids come with a Telecoil option?

Some hearing aid models will indicate the presence of a hearing loop in the name by including the letter T. See the table below for some examples (NOTE: this list is not comprehensive; if a T-coil is a feature you are interested in, you can ask one of our audiologists for more options.)

How do I turn on the telecoil in my hearing aids?

Most hearing aids come with a simple switch, often called the "T switch", that lets you choose between your everyday microphone and a loop system. Flip it to the T-setting, and the microphone switches off, leaving just the loop signal coming through.

Sometimes, though, you'll want both at once. Say you're watching TV but still want to hear your spouse if they say something; that's exactly the kind of moment where having the microphone and telecoil working together really helps.

To accommodate this, many hearing aids offer an "MT" setting, allowing both the microphone and the telecoil to be active simultaneously.

Hearing aid wearers who want to make use of telecoil technology should talk to a local audiologist . This is because telecoils often need to be activated before they can be used. They can then be easily toggled to enable dramatically improved hearing in a range of public venues.

Hearing aids without a telecoil

You can, in some cases, still access the wireless sound from a hearing aid loop system - you just have to use an additional device, such as a streamer. Please be aware that this would only work if you have a hearing aid with Bluetooth capability.

If you're unsure whether you need a telecoil, consult your hearing care provider to discuss its advantages and disadvantages.

Is Auracast replacing telecoils?

You may also come across Auracast, a newer Bluetooth-based broadcast technology that works on a similar principle to a hearing loop, letting compatible hearing aids pick up an audio feed directly in venues like theatres or airports, without needing a magnetic loop installed.

It's still early days for Auracast in the UK: compatible hearing aids and venues are gradually increasing, but telecoils remain the far more widely available option right now. If you're choosing hearing aids and want to be ready for both, ask your audiologist which current models support Auracast alongside telecoil.

Summary

For anyone with hearing loss, background noise and poor sound quality can make everyday situations — a theatre, a place of worship, a busy GP reception — genuinely exhausting. Telecoil technology exists to change that, and it does so remarkably well.

By connecting directly to induction loop systems and cutting out surrounding noise, a hearing aid with a telecoil doesn't just improve sound but opens up spaces that might otherwise feel exhausting.

As hearing aid technology continues to move forward, the telecoil remains one of its most quietly powerful features, and one well worth looking for when choosing your next hearing aid.

Want to know more about telecoils?

Hearing aids with a telecoil feature pick up audio signals directly from compatible devices, like phones and public sound systems, which means less background noise and much clearer speech, especially useful in places like theatres and churches.

If you're wondering whether this could help you, one of our audiologists would be happy to talk it through, free of charge and with no pressure either way.