Posted by: ladybug ®
03/28/2010, 17:42:05
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Insurance companies will cover a voice amplifier-but they try to pay only for the cheapest one out there. I work at an elementry school with up to 9 or more students at a time. I am currently trying to get my insurance company to pay for a better amplifier.
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Posted by: ruthie ®
04/06/2010, 21:25:09
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Did you have to get your doctor to state you needed an amp in order for ins to pay for it? I don't even know where to start with the process or how to know which one to get since it sounds like you have to get them on the internet.Do you get a trial period so you can return it if it doesn't work out?
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Posted by: regharvey ®
03/28/2010, 19:36:05
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I just started using a voice amplifier made for teachers during the latter phase of my last injection and it helped significantly with the students being able to hear me through the voiceless breaks. I am still using it and will continue to do so to save my voice especially since this uncommon disorder is so very common to teachers. Mine costs approximately $90. I avoid the phone though when the breaks are too frequent. Email is my means of communication then or through my secretaries. Face to face meetings are also helpful and I use the voice amplifier there as well. Good luck - there are many out there that range from $60 to $500 - depending on what you are looking for.
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Posted by: ruthie ®
04/06/2010, 21:29:54
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I'm curious as to how you manage teaching with SD. I have an office job and if not for a great boss would be out of work because of the restrictions this has caused me. I work with the older population and most of them can't hear me on the phone during the breathy phase or like right now when I'm back to sounding strangled while waiting on my next injection. I'm afraid to even think about ever looking for work elsewhere because of this problem. I get about 2 1/2 good months at best after an injection and unfortunately my doctor doesn't do botox clinics every month.
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Posted by: regharvey ®
04/20/2010, 21:27:34
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It hasn't been an easy task, but the kids are great and they can understand me - now with the voice amplifier - even when broken. The hardest part of my job as I am an assistant principal as well is the telephone. Often, my secretaries have to relay messages or the parents have to come in to speak with me in person. Email has worked great and everyone has been very understanding!
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Posted by: wolfe ®
04/01/2010, 15:04:39
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My voice amplifier is one of the more expensive ones. With the higher quality headset the entire setup came to about $500. I got it from a company called Soundbytes which you can access through Amazon.The amp itself is about 3x5 inches and about an inch deep. It is pretty light and comes with an attachment so it can be worn on the belt which is included in the package. The microphones that came with it were pretty cheesy in my opinion so I got the better mic that fits aroudn the back of the head and wraps around to put the mic right beside your mouth. My kids say I look the the McDonald's order person, but I prefer to think I look like a pro football coach. Ha The paperwork that came with it says it lasts for up to 30 hours on a charge. I usually charge it on the weekend, so I get a whole week out of one charge. I have never used it with the phone because I don't use the phone when I am really falling apart---voicewise. I feel like this device has been almost as beneficial as Botox. It helps me extend the time between shots and I can talk using it within days after getting a shot. Best wishes to you.
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Posted by: Jenny ®
04/03/2010, 14:54:28
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Hi..Did you have a choice of a lapel microphone? Do you think that a lapel would work as well as a headset microphone? And also, is your headset & amplifier cordless? Regards..Jenni Marsh..ADSD/8 yrs..Australia
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Posted by: wolfe ®
04/03/2010, 20:05:34
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As far as the various kinds of mics go, it is a very personal decision. My original teacher amp came with a "necklace" mic or a lapel mic. I didn't like either one. The necklace was always falling off when I bent over and the label mic would sometimes get folded into whatever I was wearing and not pick up my voice. I was initially skeptical about the around the head, but it is by far the best for me. Consider that I am a teacher so I am always moving, bending, leaning or running away (that's a joke). But I do move around constantly.Wireless would be nice because the wire connecting the mic to the amp is a long dangly thing that often gets in my way. I could not find any wireless mics where I looked. Any other questions?
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Posted by: Jenny ®
04/04/2010, 17:47:03
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Hi again..Actually, I do have some more questions..Do you use the set-up for social situations? And if so, can you control the volume so that your conversation can be heard with one other person only, or does your voice project through the whole room with everyone hearing your business..And, does your voice appear to be coming out of your belt rather than your mouth (strange question perhaps, he he)..I ask that because I'm a little reserved around people I don't know & I don't feel comfortable with attention being drawn to me..I'm not worried about what the headset looks like, more about not being able to control who hears my conversation & actually being too loud..Thanks for your input..Jenni Marsh..Australia..SD/8 yrs
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Posted by: wolfe ®
04/05/2010, 09:39:41
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Good questions! The set up I bought comes with a hand held mic which just fits in my hand--it isn't very big. That is what I use in restaurants with my family. The hand held doesn't project quit as well as the around the head mic, so it is good for talking to just a few people.
I point the amp towards the other side of the table and adjust the volume so it is pretty low. I don't think other tables can hear me any more than if I had my old voice back.As far as where my voice comes from---it takes some getting used to. For me, the break-in time was pretty short because I had been using the school-provided voice amp which has speakers set in the four corners of the room by the ceiling. I always felt like someone else was speaking! And it was hard to regulate the volume. I don't really think about where my voice comes from anymore--I've been using this set-up for about three months-- but sometimes one of my students whose head is level with my amp, will jump when I start speaking unexpectedley. I've got to work on that! F
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Posted by: Jenny ®
04/06/2010, 01:25:47
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Thanks for that info..It makes sense to me to use a hand held mic in a restaurant..I'm getting tired of having to plan my social life around my quite voice..Something always pops up out of the blue & I find myself amongst friends/family unable to be heard..I think a speech amp would be most helpful in a social situation.It's encouraging to know that people like yourself don't let SD ruin a chosen career..Did you ever have to battle through teaching without a voice amp..Sounds like the amp has been a Godsend to you..Thank goodness for the SD Bulletin Board..You pick up some really good ideas..Regards..Jenni
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Posted by: ruthie ®
04/06/2010, 21:35:28
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Do you mind sharing exactly what your set up is? I looked on the Soundbyte site and there are a lot of different things to choose from. How did you even know what to get??? This is sounding more and more appealing. anything to help be able to converse would be wonderful. Thanks!
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Posted by: Jenny ®
04/07/2010, 15:42:24
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Hello..I'm not sure if your question was meant for me, but, I'll answer it anyway,lol..I'm having a ZaVox Speech Amplifier sent to me on trial when available anytime in the next 2 months to "try before I buy"..I'll test it for 1-2 weeks & if I like it I'll send it back & purchase a new one..I believe its origin is New Zealand..Being (hopefully) a one off purchase I think it's best to go for quality..The company I'm dealing with only sell this one brand & when I asked why they said, "They've found the system to be very reliable & high quality, therefore meeting the needs of many customers..There are many cheap options on the market & sometimes customers choose to explore them..They often come back with positive feedback about how the ZaVox compares"..But, having said that, I do acknowledge that here in Australia we wouldn't have as many choices as you do in America..I think I'll be going with the ZaVox..Good luck..Jenni Marsh..ADSD 8 years..Australia
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Posted by: ruthie ®
04/16/2010, 22:18:55
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Hi Jenni, thanks for your reply. I'd really like to hear if the amplifier is helpful to you. If you wouldn't mind, would you email me at nchamber@sbcglobal.net after you've had a chance to try it? I hope it works for you! Thanks, Ruthie ADSD 7 years.
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Posted by: Bev ®
04/17/2010, 10:17:03
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I've recently purchased the Spokeman amplifier and 3-way headband microphone that Speed Racer recommended here on the Bulletin Board. It has worked very well for me in the situations I've tried, although I'm still experimenting as I haven't had it but a short time. I've been able to speak clearly without a struggle,and be heard, so what a relief that is! My only concern is a little self-consciousness by it drawing attention to myself & if my family members are embarrassed. Maybe I'm being too sensitive. Anyone deal with that aspect? I've had Ab SD for almost 20 years. I have an amplified phone from AT&T at home that works well.
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Posted by: ruthie ®
04/17/2010, 13:03:45
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Hi Bev, I've wondered about the attention aspect as well but it's also embarressing to me to not be able to be heard.I've been waiting for an injection for 6 weeks now so my voice is very strangled. I'm wondering if an amp would even help during this phase. Obviously post-injection when I'm breathy I can see where it would be a help.
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Posted by: Bev ®
04/17/2010, 15:57:13
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You're absolutely right, Ruthie! We've already had attention drawn to us when we either can't be heard, or in my case, try to talk louder than I really can, and my voice comes out as a louder whisper, like a creature from another world. The amp & mic might help during your post-injection. I'm somewhat breathy and whispery all the time, but I've found, when I relax, speak unhurriedly in my low, even whispery voice, the amp & mic produces a quite clear voice that can be heard, without my struggling, A few people have even told me my voice sounds just "normal."
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Posted by: regharvey ®
04/17/2010, 16:36:22
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I've used one for a short period of time as I am a teacher and assistant principal. It does help with the voice breaks as my students can hear the break rather than hear nothing - if that makes sense. We all laugh about it and I go back and try again. But, it does help. The first day, I walked in and they looked - said, "Wow!" and I asked them if they wanted a chocolate or vanilla shake and if they would like fries with that! It's been a good thing for me! Botox isn't working like it should, so at least it's something that helps - even if it's a little! Good luck!
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Posted by: ruthie ®
04/20/2010, 11:38:39
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What kind of system set up are you using?
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Posted by: regharvey ®
04/20/2010, 21:19:32
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Califone PA System with headset - made for teachers. Headset and microphone is worn like a headband and the amplifier is clipped to your waistband or a strap. It's worked well for me and if I continue to use one, I'll probably search for one with a headset that wraps around the back of the head rather than on top. Cost was about $80.00.
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Posted by: Bev ®
04/21/2010, 15:00:24
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I purchased the Hi-Gain 3-Way Headband Microphone and the Spokeman personal amplifier, both from Soundbytes on internet. Total cost about $200. I have not gotten into a pattern of wearing it all the time, only in certain situations, but it has worked very well.
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