FM System

An FM (frequency modulation) system is an assistive listening technology that transmits a speaker's voice directly to a listener using radio frequencies. The speaker wears or holds a small microphone transmitter. The listener wears a receiver that delivers the audio to their hearing aids (via direct audio input or telecoil), cochlear implant processor, or a small earpiece.

The main advantage of an FM system is that it bypasses distance and background noise. In a typical listening situation, both the target voice and the background noise become equally quieter as the listener moves further from the speaker. An FM system maintains the same voice level regardless of distance, giving the listener a clear signal even across a noisy room.

FM systems are widely used in Canadian schools for children with hearing loss or auditory processing disorder. They are also used in workplaces, lecture halls, and other environments where a single primary speaker and a listening audience are the typical setup.