Question
Are Oticon Ponto devices compatible with FM via the Ponto Streamer?
Answer
- Step 1. Turn on the hearing instruments and place them on the headband or abutment. Then, place the Streamer neck loop around the neck.
- Step 2. For the Oticon Medical Streamer, press the on/off button on the top of the Streamer for approximately two seconds until the lights on the front and top flash - that will indicate that it is powering on. Release the on/off button. Then, the power indicator on the top of the Streamer will fade to green - that indicates that it is connected.
- Step 3. Plug in the FM receiver.
- Step 4. For Oticon Amigo FM receivers, set the receiver to the 00 position. The LED light on the FM receiver should be on. Remember that this is universally compatible with all FM receivers that have a Europin.
- Step 5. Turn on the FM transmitter. The LED light on the FM receiver should be indicating FM transmission between the transmitter and the receiver. If the light is not on, give a short quick press to the auxiliary select on the side of the Streamer.
- Step 6. If you have successfully connected, the orange light will be on as shown in Figure 4. Again, that orange light always indicates something is connected. Sound will now be received from the FM transmitter microphone and sent to the hearing instrument through the Streamer itself.
Connecting an FM Receiver to Ponto Plus/Ponto Plus Power
- Oticon Amigo R2 & Oticon Amigo R1
- Phonak MLxi universal receiver & Phonak Roger X universal receiver
- Widex universal receiver
- Comfort Audio DT-20
Connecting an FM Receiver to Ponto/Ponto Pro/Ponto Pro Power
With Ponto, Ponto Pro, and Ponto Pro Power, you attach the FM receiver directly to the sound processor through the direct audio input (DAI) socket on the sound processor itself. You would not use a Streamer in these cases. FM receivers that can be used together with Ponto, Ponto Pro, and Ponto Pro Power are:
- Oticon Amigo R2BA
- Phonak MLxi BAHA
- Phonak MLx5 BAHA
Keep in mind that you would have to make an FM program with the Ponto Pro. With the Ponto 3, which is the newest generation, you do not need to create an FM program.
A single FM receiver connected to the Ponto Streamer transmits to both Ponto sound processors at the same time; it is a binaural solution. Again, you only need one FM receiver. If you have a child that is binaural on a Softband or using a binaural abutment, you have the ability to have the FM signal sent to both sides. It also allows for better connectivity in the classroom. Attending classes is often not just a matter of listening to the teacher's voice. Sometimes students also need to listen to sound from computers or listen to TV programs or music.
There are benefits to using the Streamer for parents as well. Parents may find it beneficial that their child can connect the Ponto Streamer to their cell phone. In other cases outside of school, it may be useful for a child to use the Ponto Streamer when he or she is watching TV, listening to music, using Skype, etc.
This Ask the Expert is an excerpt from the CE Course, Wireless Technology: How to Connect FM and Other Accessories Wirelessly to the Ponto Device.
