Having difficulties with choral singing due to hearing loss?

Sing online with Homechoir!

 

It can be difficult singing in a face-to-face choir with hearing loss.

The sounds in the room reflect off surfaces all around you, whilst your hearing aids try to construct speech from the resultant jumble of different sounds and voice parts reaching them from all angles.

The music loses its intensity due to the distance of the source and interference from nearby competing sounds, and this problem is increased by the wider range of volumes and frequencies generated by music as compared to speech.

Listening online, however, provides your hearing aids with a single direct signal.

Online choral music sounds richer and clearer, without interference or crackling.

In addition, Homechoir encourages conversation between choristers using the ‘Live Chat’ function on YouTube, so you can join in with both the music and the very varied streams of conversation, and really be part of a choir again!

See below for:

  • Listening device options

    Which technologies could help you to join in with Homechoir despite hearing loss.

  • Audiology checklist

    A musician’s guide to optimising your hearing aids.

  • Sing & Send

    Tips for joining in with Homechoir’s unique recording projects.

Listening device options

There are different ways to access online listening (and technology progresses) so here are a few current suggestions to find the method that best suits you.

Alternatively, ask your audiologist for more information.

 

Most hearing aids, including those provided by the NHS, include a ‘music channel’ to optimise musical sounds.

This allows you to hear sounds across a wider range of pitches and dynamics and minimises distortion.

If you don’t have a ‘music channel’, please speak to your audiologist. Also see the checklist link below for optimising your music programme settings.

 

If you have a Bluetooth hearing aid, check that it is connected to the device you are listening from (laptop, tablet or phone). Read, or search online for, your device’s instructions for help with this; alternatively ask your audiologist.

You may need to switch off Bluetooth on nearby devices to avoid interference.

Once paired, Homechoir will be heard directly and clearly through your hearing aids.

 

If you don’t have Bluetooth (for example, most NHS hearing aids don’t) you can still connect via an external Bluetooth connector. Many devices are available: look them up online, try the RNID website, or ask your audiology department to recommend one that suits you.

This will usually be an inductive neckloop, and hearing aids connect to them using the T loop setting.

Join the neckloop connector to your laptop/tablet/phone using the same Bluetooth tips as above, and the sound will transmit directly to the hearing aids via the T setting.

 

In the absence of any of the Bluetooth options, headphones may be used. Choose headphones that have larger ear caps, such as noise cancelling headphones, which fit more comfortably over hearing aids.

Some of our singers find that wearing the headphones over one ear only provides a good balance between ability to hear the Homechoir broadcast, and the ability to hear one’s own voice for control over the volume and pitch of your singing.

Audiology checklist

Find out how you and your audiologist can create an optimal music programme for your hearing aids by visiting the excellent website, grandpianopassion.com. Go to their “Hearing Aids and Music Technology” page for lots of up-to-date information, advice and tips for musicians with hearing devices. We particularly recommend the article, “Dr. Chasin’s Checklist for Optimizing Your Hearing Aids for Music”.

Tips for joining in with Sing & Send

‘Sing & Send’ allows you to add your voice to Homechoir recordings.

Your voice tonality improves if you can hear your own voice as well as the backing track. Some people find it helpful to take out one hearing aid, or move the recording device further away. Another strategy is to play the audio through only one ear, for instance by attaching just one hearing aid to Bluetooth, or by wearing ear cap headphones with one ear uncovered.

You may sing louder than is optimal in order to hear yourself, but Homechoir’s digital mixing process will even out any problems, and you will be part of a choir that sounds amazing!

Homechoir members have conducted an investigation into optimal sound settings for Sing & Send participation, see our News page for more information.