Getting to Know MobileConnect
Tim Gaule
I am a member of the SaddleBrooke Hearing Discussion Group. In this month’s article I would like to introduce you to MobileConnect. It is a Wi-Fi assistive listening system from Sennheiser. SaddleBrooke TWO has recently decided to install this system in the ballroom and Sonoran Room in the SaddleBrooke TWO clubhouse. SaddleBrooke One is currently getting price quotes for installing the system in the SaddleBrooke One clubhouse. Our hearing group had the opportunity to evaluate the system this past August at the SaddleBrooke One clubhouse. Everyone in our small test group was able to connect to the audio stream. We were impressed with sound quality, as well as the coverage. I could hear the audio throughout the upper level of the clubhouse. I was also able to walk out the front door and could still hear the audio on the steps leading down to the parking lot.
I did notice a latency issue if I was standing close to the speaker. Latency refers to the time delay between when the audio is transmitted and when it is heard by the end user. This could be an issue if you are seated close to the speaker, especially if you are trying to read lips.
Sennheiser is one of the leading providers of professional audio technology worldwide. MobileConnect streams audio to your smartphone using the MobileConnect app. This system relies on the end user’s smartphone as a receiver. These types of systems are commonly known as “bring your own device,” or “BYOD.”
To use MobileConnect, you need to first download the app using either the iPhone App Store or the Google Play Store. If you have an iPhone, use this link: apps.apple.com/us/app/sennheiser-mobileconnect/id848127271. If you have an Android, use this link: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.sennheiser.sst.mobileconnect.
After receiving the audio signal, the app then uses your phone’s Bluetooth connection to send audio to your hearing aids. However, if your hearing aids don’t have Bluetooth or don’t support Bluetooth streaming, you won’t be able to use MobileConnect.
As many of you know, there are currently hearing loops in both the SaddleBrooke TWO ballroom and Sonoran Room. So, why is SaddleBrooke TWO electing to use MobileConnect as the assistive listening system in these rooms? If you have tried using the loop in the ballroom, you may be aware that there are a lot of dead spots, especially on the dance floor. When our group evaluated MobileConnect in August, we did not notice any dead spots. In addition, if the ballroom is split so that two presentations are occurring simultaneously, the loop can’t be split and, therefore, only one presentation can be transmitted. MobileConnect will allow for simultaneous broadcast of presentations in Ballrooms East and West. In the Sonoran Room, there is a lot of interference from the main electrical wiring in the building. This interference causes a loud buzzing sound when a hearing-impaired resident tried to use the loop in that room. This interference will hopefully be eliminated by MobileConnect. Once the system has been installed, the SaddleBrooke TWO staff intends to have our hearing group help check out the system. We will definitely listen for any interference and latency issues.
I believe that both HOAs plan to install signage indicating the presence of MobileConnect in a room. I also believe that signage will include a QR code that you can read with the MobileConnect app to connect to the correct signal. I will provide another update as we learn more about the system.
Our group meets on the second Friday of every month at 10 a.m. in the Catalina Room in the Mesquite building. For more information about our group, contact Jennifer Jefferis at jenjefferis4u@gmail.com or Lyle Larson at lllarson72@gmail.com. We typically have one or two Doctor of Audiology students from the University of Arizona in attendance. If you have questions about this article or would like to have your email added to our distribution list, contact me at tgaule@outlook.com.
Presentation on the Advantages of Working with an Audiologist—November 14
Tim Gaule
The SaddleBrooke Hearing Discussion Group invites you to join us on Friday, Nov. 14, at the DesertView Performing Arts Center at 1 p.m. to hear a presentation focusing on why working with an audiologist can make a difference in hearing outcomes. The presenters will be Amanda Kester and Jamie Landau who are both associated with Sonoran ENTA. Sonoran ENTA is a trusted local clinic that believes that hearing treatment is best served when patients work with a Doctor of Audiology. They will provide information about how audiologists use Evidence-Based Methods in combination with doctoral-level training to ensure that you are receiving the best hearing care. Join us to learn how hearing treatment is more than just a device.
Amanda Kester, Au.D., CCC-A, is a certified audiologist, and she also holds an Arizona Dispensing Audiology License. She was raised in Tucson and graduated from the University of Arizona with her bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences. She then attended the University of Oklahoma where she earned her doctorate in audiology (Au.D.). Primarily working in a medical setting, Amanda has extensive experience in the evaluation and treatment of hearing loss, balance disorders, and vertigo. She has particular interest in advancements in hearing aid technology and determining options for those with tinnitus. She has experience with cochlear implants and other implantable hearing devices.
Jamie Landau, Au.D., CCC-A, is a certified audiologist and has maintained an Arizona Dispensing Audiology License since 2010. Jamie is an Arizona native, graduating from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences, and received her master’s degree from Cal State/Northridge. She attended A.T. Still University where she earned her doctorate in audiology (Au.D) in 2008. Jamie trained at the prestigious House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles and has worked in the private practice sector since 2003. She has up-to-date knowledge and experience in hearing loss, tinnitus management, and balance disorder testing/therapy. She has extensive knowledge in hearing aid evaluations, including proper selection, fitting, and adjustments, as well as experience in implantable hearing devices.
The SaddleBrooke Hearing Discussion Group meets monthly at 10 a.m. on the second Friday of every month. Our monthly meetings are a great way to meet other SaddleBrooke residents with hearing loss and share the challenges of coping with hearing loss. We typically have one or two audiology doctoral students from the University of Arizona in attendance. Our group has a website with articles and useful links. The website address is www.sbhearingdiscussiongroup.com. For more information about our group, contact Tim Gaule at tgaule@outlook.com.