Pocketalker Ultra and the Tour System Assistive Listening Devices

These devices may be useful to person's with hearing loss or concentration difficulties. The devices limit background noise by putting the voice of the speaker directly in the ears of the listener. The listener can also adjust the tone and volume of the speaker's voice.

The Pocketalker is best used in one-on-one meetings. The Tour System described below is ideal for workshops where more than one person may need to use an assistive listening device at one time.

The Pocketalker has three main components: the microphone, the receiver and the headset. It is preferable that you provide a regular headset for the customer rather than the "ear buds" provided in the package.

There are two ways to use the microphone. You can either leave it attached to the receiver and the customer holds the receiver near the person speaking or you can attach the microphone to the end of the extension cable which allows the microphone to be placed farther away from the customer or even to be clipped on the collar of the person speaking. The extension cable has about a four foot reach. The other end of the cable plugs in to the microphone jack on the receiver.

The customer can then adjust the volume and pitch on the receiver as the speaker talks until they are at desired levels.

The Tour System which is stored in a hard briefcase looking carrying case, works a little different. Each receiver has a headset and is wireless. There is one sound transmitor that has a special neck loop with a microphone attachment that the speaker wears on the back of his or her neck. Each person using a receiver can adjust their volume and pitch just as with the personal device.

Updated June, 2009 by Sheila Johnson, Region 3 Navigator.