Good to get an update on your microphone situation. I'm still trying to get used to using my new amplifier, after finally getting it fully-charged last Monday so I'm paying alot of attention to posts like yours.

The recent "Noisy Environments" thread was also very informative and helpful, as a new amplifier user. Several posters made excellent contributions. Nothing beats getting solid information from "pro's" - people who use the amplifiers every day, on the job. With me these days, since I can't work any longer, I'm just trying to get comfortable with using it in group situations, even if they are small (such as our little Super Bowl Party on Sunday - LOL). My friends weren't very happy with me though, as it screeched a couple of times and they asked me to take it off.

My doctor was horrified to discover yesterday that I'd made a presentation in a large room recently. He told me, unless the situation is very quiet, I should not be talking at all without my amplifier. This will take some getting used to.

I have a question for you, since I know you in person, or anyone else who uses an amplifier. Do you just use your amplifier at work or do you use it in social settings? I noticed you were not using it in Arizona at the SD symposium last year, although others were. That Welcome Party was a real "vocal-stressor." Under doctor's orders, I can no longer attend a gathering like that and talk without my amplifier.

Thanks (to you and others) for all the practical information, regarding the use of amplifiers. We live in a "loud world" with *noise-competition* and high decibels every where and everyday. It's virtually impossible to find total quiet. Thus, seems like knowing how to properly use an amplifier, for those of us who need one, is a very good thing. Appreciate all the experience offered here on the BB.

Another thing I have noticed is that in a really noisy setting I can't be that heard that well with the mic on unless it is really turned up loud. To get my students' attention I use other techniques because I cn't talk louder than them.

I only noticed William using his and he has the neck type mic which is less noticeable.

I got a Chattervox and have had some excellent, supportive messages to my private e-mail (off this thread) on how to use it more effectively, from some supportive, knowledgable SD'rs who know a ton about how to cope with amplifiers. Got some great techniques. And, those nice people know who they are. !!

That's funny! From first-hand-experience, you know an SD symposium is not quiet. As you mention, Bill was the only one using one; but, based on what I've dealt with recently (and what my doctor says), many more of us *should* be using them in such a gathering. For six years after my surgery, I thought I could deal with such large events but it appears I've been blowing out my voice for much too long.

Here's a prophetic comment. As a few of us left the Welcome Party at the Arizona Symposium a year ago, I was walking out with someone who knows what she's talking about. She's been through the whole routine. And, she said - "you know, we really should not be doing this to our voices." We all talked too loud, too much and too long.

I thought my surgically-treated voice was OK a year ago. But, three weeks later, I started to have the beginnings of the complete vocal-collapse I'm dealing with now. And, blowing out my voice for years (post-RLN surgery), trying to talk over noise for many years, has been a factor in the laryngeal collapse.

Not sure what the difference in headsets is. Mine goes over the ears and the connecting wire is in the back. Mic in the front on the right. I'm just happy that we educated-patients can share all these experiences on the BB...amplifiers, etc. I was reading a website recently that said that all teachers and ministers and other voice professionals (anyone who has to project in a large room and use vocal volume constantly) should always use an amplifier/microphone. It was a medical site, rather than a commercial one. Sounds like a good idea.

Thanks Katrina. I haven't gone to loud places for many years either, but periodically (like at symposiums), I end up in one - inadvertently.

I think all teachers should use a mic because we are projecting our voice all day and I'm sure most of us don't use our voices properly. I had someone ask me if I was wearing a headset for my telephone. I said no but I thought that was a neat thing that many do now wear a headset for portable phones. Probably the neck mic would be less conspicious. I don't like how sometimes it messes up my hair! Ha!