Dynamic FM automatically adjusts your voice to be louder than the background noise, as the background noise volume fluctuates, to provide a consistent signal-to-noise ratio that allows your student to hear you just as well in noisier classrooms. Traditional FM systems have a pre-determined signal-to-noise ratio, regardless of the background noise, so it becomes harder for the student to hear your voice if the background noise becomes louder.

No. Unfortunately, you will lose the dynamic FM benefits when it is patched to soundfield systems. However, our main manufacturer for personal FM systems (including dynamic FM systems), Phonak, will be launching their own soundfield system summer of 2010, which may allow for dynamic soundfield FM.

The Sennheiser Headset Checker, which we offer for purchase at a discount through our new E.A.R.S. initiative, allows us to plug in the FM receiver and adjust the volume for comfortable listening. It's also great for listening to the FM receiver while walking to different classrooms/locations to check for signal interference (static).

The signal heard by your student will be clearest when the microphone is located closest to your mouth, at the midline of your body (not off to one side). If the microphone has two microphone ports (if you see two "holes" or two felt patches), then it is a directional microphone and it needs to be worn vertically (straight up-and-down, the top microphone port pointing at your mouth).

The monitor earphones automatically shut off after about 90 seconds to save power. Just press any button on the cochlear implant processor to re-activate the earphones.

Some students, although possessing reasonable language and literacy skills, may have difficulty with cognitive functions, which include executive behavours such as; the ability to plan, integrate, perceive, have capacity to consider more than two sources of information, and integrate these functions. Inadequate cognitive development and reduced cognitive abilities results in reduced learning and problem solving performance, which are important in navigating mainstream school and academic success.

Targeted speech sound practice is useful when a person has difficulty producing segmentals (such as consonants or vowels), or suprasegmentals (such as rhythm, stress, intonation of speech). These skills need to be practiced before moving onto conversational speech. Only through developing 'motor memory' and  producing correct sounds will students develop into achieving successful  conversational speech.

Typically, reading aloud will not improve sound production for the student. Reading aloud, when practicing with a helper, will help with awareness of volume, phrasing, expression, as well as fluency and rate of speech - also important aspects of conversational speech.