Hearing Accessibility

This guide helps front-of-house staff assist visitors who use hearing aids, cochlear implants, or personal Bluetooth headsets with the Podcatcher Pro.

Neckloop with hearing aid (T-coil)

A neckloop is a thin wire loop worn around the neck that transmits audio from the Podcatcher Pro directly to a visitor’s hearing aid via a magnetic signal. This is the most reliable method for hearing aid users.

What you need

• A Podcatcher Pro audio guide
• A neckloop with a 3.5 mm audio plug (available at the welcome desk)

Connect and set up

1. Insert the neckloop’s 3.5 mm plug into the headphone jack of the Podcatcher Pro. Make sure it clicks in fully.

2. Ask the visitor to drape the loop around their neck, resting it on the shoulders. The loop should hang as wide and flat as possible — do not bunch or twist the cable.

3. The visitor switches their hearing aid to the T (telecoil) or MT (microphone + telecoil) setting:

   • Physical switch: look for positions labeled M, T, or MT
   • Program button: press the button to cycle through programs until the telecoil program is reached (often confirmed by a beep)
   • Smartphone app: select the telecoil program in the hearing aid manufacturer’s app (e.g. Phonak, ReSound, Oticon)

4. Set the Podcatcher Pro volume to approximately 50% (mid-range). Ask the visitor to leave their hearing aid at its normal volume.

5. Play a test clip and ask the visitor if the audio is clear. If they hear buzzing or humming, try moving away from overhead lighting, security gates, or display screens.

Tip

T mode delivers only the audio guide signal — best for focused listening in noisy galleries. MT mode delivers the audio guide plus ambient sound — the visitor can still hear companions and safety announcements. Recommended as the default.

Troubleshooting

Problem	Cause	Solution
No sound	Plug loose or T/MT mode off	Re-seat plug; check hearing aid mode
Weak sound	Loop too low on body	Raise loop to ear level; turn up volume
Buzzing	EM interference (lights, wiring)	Step away from lights or security gates; offer headphones if it persists
Distortion	Volume too high	Lower Podcatcher Pro volume
”No T-coil setting”	T-coil missing or not activated	Offer standard headphones instead

If the visitor cannot find a T-coil setting

Their hearing aid likely does not have a telecoil, or the telecoil has not been activated by their audiologist. This is common with small in-the-ear models (CIC/IIC) and most OTC hearing aids. Staff cannot resolve this on-site — offer standard headphones as an alternative.

Bluetooth headset pairing (BLE)

The Podcatcher Pro supports Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) audio pairing with standard wireless headsets and earbuds. This is useful for visitors who prefer their own personal headphones.

What you need

• A Podcatcher Pro audio guide
• A Bluetooth headset or earbuds that support standard audio profiles (A2DP)
• A Beacon configured for Bluetooth headset pairing

Pairing process

The Podcatcher Pro does not have a screen, so Bluetooth pairing works differently than on a phone:

1. Use the Podcatcher Pro to scan the pairing Beacon. The Smart Circle turns blue/purple, indicating the Podcatcher Pro is now in pairing mode.

2. Ask the visitor to activate pairing mode on their headset or earbuds (typically hold the power button until the LED flashes blue/white).

3. Keep the headphones close to the Podcatcher Pro until pairing completes. A confirmation tone plays through the headset.

4. Audio now plays through the visitor’s Bluetooth headset instead of the built-in speaker.

5. When the visitor returns the Podcatcher Pro to the Basecamp, the Bluetooth connection disconnects automatically — no manual disconnect needed.

Troubleshooting

Problem	Cause	Solution
Won’t connect	Not in pairing mode or too far	Check headset LED flashes; bring closer
Wrong headset paired	Another headset was closer	Disconnect; retry with one headset only
Audio drops/stutters	Out of range or interference	Stay within 5-10 m; avoid busy RF areas
Hearing aid won’t connect	Proprietary protocol, not BLE	Use neckloop method instead

Caution

Hearing aids cannot pair via Bluetooth with the Podcatcher Pro. Most Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids (including “Made for iPhone” and “Made for Android” models) use proprietary wireless protocols incompatible with standard Bluetooth audio. Always direct hearing aid users to the neckloop method instead.

Best practices

Display the hearing loop symbol. Place the international hearing loop sign at all audio guide distribution points and at the entrance.

Proactively offer the neckloop. When handing out audio guides, ask: “Do you use a hearing aid? We have neckloops available that connect directly to your hearing aid.”

Keep spare neckloops available. Test neckloops regularly and replace any with damaged cables or loose plugs.

Always have standard headphones as a fallback. Over-ear headphones with good passive noise isolation can be a practical alternative for visitors who cannot use a neckloop or Bluetooth headset.

Train all front-of-house staff. Every team member who distributes audio guides should know both connectivity options and when to offer which solution.

Related articles

• How to Connect Headphones/Earbuds via Bluetooth — Beacon-based Bluetooth pairing setup
• What is Podcatcher Pro? — device overview and key features
• Podcatcher Pro Datasheet — full technical specifications