Where to get personal ALS equipment

I have had several people in my stake ask if it is possible to purchase their own pocket-size receiver (like a Comtek) for the hearing impaired. It seems that I have read that it is possible. How and where would I get this information and how much would this equipment cost?

Thanks,
Dan

Sure, it's possible. But they might want to re-think that when they see the price tag: B&H Photo

Or maybe they just want their own ear piece.

An alternative is to look at getting enough equipment via FM and assigning it to the members long-term.

On the tech broadcast http://broadcast.lds.org/ICS/techtalk/2013-02-01.html at timestamp 43:55 they discuss the ALS system. They say members can purchase at a special LDS price through Comtek.com. I am looking into it. My father-in-law wants his own receiver and earbuds.

Here's the thing with the COMTEK devices- They are for the most part, only tied into the Chapel sound system. In most cases the antenna for the COMTEK broadcaster is in the chapel as well or nearby, which means you walk to another part of the building, the signal will not be present, or be so poor, you wont hear it. Also- The COMTEK broadcaster is only tied into the chapel sound system. Meaning only the chapel feed will be broadcasted over it. Not the feeds in the Primary, RS, or Cultural Hall. Some members may be confused thinking that the church provided comtek device will provide audio so long as they are in a room like previously mentioned that have a microphone feed.

If they are looking for devices similar to COMTEK but for which they can use in other areas of the building, just as means of being able to hear more clearly, then here is a basic hearing aid device that I myself use. Because it is a general amplifier, it picks up all the sound so not just that of the speaker. But It works decent enough for me, as I am half deaf.

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/personal-sound-amplifier

I have been using the Comtek PR-72b and connecting to my Phonak hearing aids through Phonak Compilot II by using an audio connector (3.5m mono/stereo) to connect the PR-72b to the audio input of the Compilot II. This has worked very well. It seems that the PR-75a is replacing the PR-72b unit. When I connect the PR-75a to my Compilot II the PR-75a does not turn on. On closer inspection the 3.5 audio adapter appears slightly different than the plug on the headset, both are called a 3.5 connector. Any suggestions finding the proper connector? My hearing aids a provided by the Veterans Administration and at least two other Brothers in the Stake have the same hearing aids.

rfsturgeon wrote:When I connect the PR-75a to my Compilot II the PR-75a does not turn on. On closer inspection the 3.5 audio adapter appears slightly different than the plug on the headset, both are called a 3.5 connector.

I made a quick call to Comtek tech support. It's not the jack that turns the unit on, it's the DC resistance of the headset. Comtek headsets are less than 100 ohms. I doubt if the audio input if your hearing aid is that low.

The only suggestion that they could offer was to use a neck loop (NTC-102). That requires that your hearing aid have a T-coil and it's been activated. You may have to work with your audiologist to get that setup.

Edit: I should add that the only real reason to give up the PR-72b is because either it's not working or you have a chapel that's not on the standard frequency. The PR-72b is single channel while the PR-75a is multi-channel, so it can accommodate other frequencies due to two transmitters being close together. I don't think the church is changing the frequency band/mode that the equipment is operating on. I don't think there's any compatibility issue between old receivers and new transmitters.

I'm having the same issue with my Phonak compilot and the PR-75a, not working together. I saw someone in the Costco hearing aid dept in Lehi this morning and she told me the analog 3.5mm cord that I have is the issue. That I need to get one that has 3 rings, not just 2 on the end that connects to the PR-75a. I've gone to the
Comtek site and it is not helpful. I will try Best Buy.

I tried Best Buy and Guitar Center. Neither had that cable. Very frustrating and emails to the stake go unanswered.

jrjnewell wrote:I tried Best Buy and Guitar Center. Neither had that cable. Very frustrating and emails to the stake go unanswered.

You mean like this? You can try that, but I'm not sure as it would work. As posted up thread, your device has to present a low impedance load to the receiver to get it to turn on.

You may need to find a old-school electronics guy to set you up with the proper cord.

Personal comtek devices for LDS members order form.
https://www.betterhearingidaho.com/5583 ... 6c60065ae/

Discounted LDS pricing form. Sorry last post pointed to the website that discusses it, here is a link to the form.
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/ ... g+2014.pdf

The last set of receivers the church got us was from Listen Technologies, not Comtek.

jrjnewell wrote:Very frustrating and emails to the stake go unanswered.

I'm sorry you've having to deal with leaders who aren't responsive. All buildings should be equipped with the system in the chapel and the building should have received a couple of receivers. The problem might be in finding the receivers. Maybe they're in the library, maybe they're in a clerk's office. Maybe they're lost.

I'm not sure which stake leaders you're emailing, but maybe you should see if you can find a technical person in your buildings who works with the A/V, or maybe a clerk, or maybe track down your stake technology specialist (STS) or the high councilor who is the physical facilities representative (PFR). I hope you can find someone who cares. There are helps out there, but too often, church leaders don't know or are too busy to deal with it. I've found that there are people who go through the motions of going to church, but can't hear anything, and that's sad. I'm a stake A/V person, and I try to get them help. If you can get one of those people who wants to help, but doesn't know what to do, come back here, and we might be able to help that person.

russellhltn wrote:The last set of receivers the church got us was from Listen Technologies, not Comtek.

With our remodel, we got a nice rack of Listen receivers that sit in a rechargeable base station. I think we got 8 receivers, but the base can hold 8. They are on the same frequency as the old Comtek receivers and they both work.

There's lots of Comtek receivers on ebay. Anything with 70-76 MHz wide FM (72.1 MHz standard), such as a scanner radio, ham radio, TECSUN X3 or D3, convention translation radio, etc.

Here's an update for those who wish to purchase their own assisted listening device for the chapel, since the previous links are dead.

New Comtek PR-75a receiver cost around $270 from various sources.
You can buy a new compatible receiver Listen Technologies LR-500-72 through the FM group for $205.
It is also currently available from BHPhoto for $120. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... ay_rf.html
Ebay has used Comtek and Listen Technologies receivers for under $50.
Amazon has several handheld FM receivers that cover 60-108Mhz for under $10. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=60-108+mhz+f ... _ss_fb_1_9
Just tune to 72.1 Mhz. I bought one and it works great.

The last time we got ALS receivers, I think what FM supplied was the Listen Technologies LR-4200-072.

It's only single channel (but programmable with a Windows computer). The majority of church systems are on the same channel, but if you've got two chapels close to each other, then it will be on a different frequency. This model uses DSP and it make a big difference. No hiss. If you want multi-channel, there's the LR-5200-072.

Yes, they cost more, but the difference in sound quality may be worth it. I'll take it over the Comtek PR-75a any day.

On a technical note the Listen receivers have a built in antenna so you can use any compatible headset. Comtek and Williams use the headset cord as the antenna and must use one that has the correct length cord.

We order the Williams AV headsets so users can use the same headset in either model receiver.

I have been told by Listen that the 4200’s are multichannel capable. Instead of a channel button it’s a long press on the volume button. This assumes that more than one channel has been activated in the receiver programming.

The Retekess V112 FM receiver ($15) works good, it's not expensive, rechargeable, and has a 3.5mm stereo headhone jack. Tune it to 72.1 mhz for most bldgs.

Available from Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Retekess-Portabl ... B019BYBR48