Advantages
- Equipment orders simplified because everyone uses the same systems
- More consistent use of FM when not dependent on personal hearing aids
- Less troubleshooting time because of common settings and switches
- Microphones at ear level not subject to food particles and better for localization
- Easier to put on the child than attaching harnesses/pouches for body-worn systems
- More frequently used because of the ease in changing to a particular teacher's channel (for systems with synthesized frequencies)
Disadvantages
- Increased battery cost because FM receiver drains battery of behind-the-ear aid faster
- Increased earmold cost to have dedicated earmolds to FM system rather than using personal earmolds
- May require portable programming system to set the loaner FM systems quickly in the school
- Small size makes them difficult to see if children forget to remove them before leaving school
- Small size also difficult to find when lost in the classroom or playground
- May be more complications resulting from perspiration than with body-worn systems
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