Wireless Myth #3 – 2.4 GHz

By Jennifer Groth, M.A.

Myth #3: The 2.4 GHz wireless platform isn’t different. All wireless hearing aids work the same way.

The fact is that near field magnetic induction technology (described above) does not provide the sound quality, signal strength or range that 2.4 GHz provides. 2.4GHz is a widely used and globally accepted frequency band and is used by most cordless phones, video game consoles, home wireless networks, garage door openers and many other common everyday wireless items.

The 2.4 GHz platform communicates directly, device to device. The induction/T-coil-based “wireless” hearing aids don’t use the 2.4 GHz platform and thus still require the user to wear a neck loop to transmit the signal to the hearing aids. This reduces the sound quality and requires the user to stay within 8-10 feet of the signal transmitter.  True wireless hearing aids use the2.4 GHz technology platform, making the sound quality and the signal range much greater and much more stable.

A good example of this is a comparison of the first-generation cordless phones (before the 2.4 GHz platform) and today’s cordless phone technology. While they were wireless, these early phones worked well, as long as the user stayed in the room or in fairly close range to the phone’s base transmission station. Once the caller moved more than about 8-10 feet from the base unit, the signal was degraded or lost. Today’s cordless phones operate on the 2.4GHz wireless platform, and allow users to move anywhere in the house, or even outside of the home.  Truly wireless hearing aids use the 2.4 GHz platform and as a result, the user can move up to 90 feet away from the TV or telephone signal transmitter.