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The Gadget Gals have long been jealous of those fortunate people who can speak over crowd noise and be heard. They are acquainted with one assistant principal who has a magnificent voice together with the lungpower to command the attention of over 275 middle schoolers who are eating lunch and chatting away. The Gadget Gals realize, however, that if they attempted this same maneuver, the middle schoolers would still be eating and chatting. Although they've learned how to overcome their weak voice disability by holding their hands in the air to get students' attention, they have always wanted to be able to take charge with their voices.

At assemblies and meetings the Gadget Gals use those tiny clip-on individual microphones that connect to a house sound system and require a technician to get them working correctly. The clip-ons are generally expensive and usually quite delicate. Those "sound professionals" who are in charge of the tiny microphones are known to guard them carefully. They are, therefore, not really appropriate for use at athletic events, on the playground, on field trips, or at lunch.

At the National Education Computing Convention (NECC) held in New Orleans in June, the Gadget Gals spotted a product designed for them and all those who could use voice amplification. Called Loud & Clear, the amplifier is about the size of a fanny pack, and like a fanny pack, it is attached to a belt that snaps in place around a person's waist. A microphone wire attaches to the amplifier and connects to a headset-type microphone. The equipment is light and easy to adjust, providing hands-free amplification wherever needed.

We know some parents who volunteer as soccer coaches who would love one of these. All they'd have to do to transform their voice to booming volume would be to click the amplifier belt in place, pop on the headset, and speak into the microphone.

If you have a voice like us Gadget Gals, and most people do, think of how a device like Loud & Clear could save you from all those bouts with laryngitis.

A rechargeable battery keeps Loud & Clear working for eight hours with six watts of amplification. The system at a price of less than $100 is surprisingly powerful and clear. The one we reviewed was $99.95, but we've seen them priced somewhat lower. These amplifiers are a good buy for the price and should be amazingly useful for teachers, coaches, those organizing family picnics and community events, or anyone who needs voice amplification."

Loud & Clear^TM
8 hours of amplification
6 watts of amplification
Rechargeable battery
Price - $99.95

Ordering Information

Educational Insights
18730 Wilmington Avenue
Rancho Dominguez, CA 90220
1-800-995-4436
http://www.educationalinsights.com