Hear The World Volunteer travels to Northern Canada to offer hearing help in the classroom
October 2, 2017
“How can you survive college? You’re deaf!”
October 3, 2017Ask Anna: What is a Roger Pen and how does it work?
Ask Anna is a weekly advice column for the hearing loss community.
Dear Anna,
I recently started college and I am trying to decide what hearing accessories will be best for when I am in the classroom or participating in extracurricular activities. I’ve heard about the Roger Pen, but I don’t know much about it. Could you explain what it is, how it works and where I can get one? – Confused college student
Dear confused college student,
These are questions that are very common, so you are not alone. The simplest answer is that the Roger Pen is a wireless microphone that is used in combination with your hearing aids. It helps you to hear and understand more speech in noise and over distance.
How does it work?
It transmits the signal automatically through high-quality sound and is able to connect via Bluetooth to cell phones and other audio inputs for listening to TV and multimedia.
The Roger Pen transmits the signal to your hearing aids through a receiver. These miniature receivers attach directly to hearing instruments or cochlear implant speech processors. For almost every hearing instrument and processor there is a compatible Roger receiver. Your audiologist will be able to advise which receiver you will need for your hearing instrument. Then you will be ready to use a Roger Pen.
How can a Roger Pen help me in a classroom?
The Roger Pen is designed to help you hear speech in noise and over distance. When the Rogen Pen is in the classroom, the speaker can hold it or wear it around their neck attached to a lanyard. The speech can be heard from up to 60 feet (20 meters) away and is sent straight to your hearing aids.
Where can I find deaf resources at my university?
There are many resources available to deaf students. Knowing what to ask for and how to access these resources is not always so easy when you are starting university. The first piece of advice would be to plan ahead of time and contact the Disability Services at your university. They will be able to put you in contact with your University Disability Counselor or the right people to help you find what you need.
Throughout the month of October D.J. Demers will be traveling to 20 universities across the U.S. Not only will he perform comedy shows, but he will explain how college students may qualify to receive a Roger Pen for free. University students with hearing loss are guaranteed free resources, in accordance with The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 – Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Learn more about the Here to Hear Comedy Tour!
Read more: This is how you get FREE hearing technology at your university
Other sites that also provide useful information are:
http://deafunity.org/resources/ for students in the UK.
http://deafaustralia.org.au/ for students in Australia.
Do you have a question for Anna? Email: feedback@hearinglikeme.com or in the comments below.
The information provided through this website should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult your health care provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Hearing Like Me website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency medical services immediately.
