Assistive listening and alerting devices

A combination of hearing aids and assistive listening/alerting devices can go a long way to delivering listening and communication satisfaction. Devices available include the pocketalker to enhance one-on-one conversations in public and the telephone typewriter (TTY) which utilizes a regular telephone and a visual terminal. We also have amplified handsets and portable telephone amplifiers. Assistive listening/alerting devices include smoke detectors, wake up alarm clocks, sound activated pillow/bed vibrators, and infrared TV systems.

Hearing Aids can enhance the listening quality of life for the majority of hearing-impaired patients. However, even the most advanced digital hearing aids may not provide satisfactory performance in very demanding listening situations. A hearing aid works best when the hearing aid user is face-to-face with the person speaking. If the person moves away, it becomes more difficult to hear. Turning up the volume of the hearing aid results in both speech and noise becoming louder. Digital hearing aids have decreased this effect but ALDs may still be needed in certain circumstances. Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) improve the listening ability by bringing the voice of the speaker into the ear, making the speech louder than the background noise. A combination of hearing aids together with ALDs can go a long way to delivering patient listening and communication satisfaction.

Trying to listen in situations where there is distance involved can lead to missed information, such as in theatres, lecture halls and places of worship. Background noise can be frustrating in restaurants, airports and train stations. Listening over the telephone or to a TV can be difficult. In these situations Assisitive Listening Devices can be utilized.

• Ameriphone Q90 TTY Compact, portable TTY with an easy to use, comfortable keyboard. Can be used with analog or digital phones. Can attach to a printer
• NoizFree Telecoil Induction Hook Monaural silhouette for hearing aids equipped with telecoils to be used with cellphones, including cochlear implants
• Beetle Bluetooth New, smaller Bluetooth compatible silhouette for hearing aids equipped with telecoils
• Freedom Phone Up to 50 dB of gain with a loud (95dB) ringer and strobe ring flasher. Also features large buttons, speakerphone, caller ID, incoming amplification and optional bed shaker
• Clarity Wireless Telephone 900 mHz with 30 dB of gain

Every day there are sounds that signal the brain to take action. A telephone ringing, a door bell ringing, a smoke alarm going off or a baby crying. In these situations Assistive Alerting Devices are extremely useful. These can be used by people with severe or profound hearing loss, or hearing aid wearers when they remove their aids. These devices can be linked to flashing lights or vibrators. The alarm clock is especially helpful to the hearing aid wearer who can't hear a regular alarm clock without a hearing aid.

• Silent Call "Shake-up" Smoke Detector
• Alertmaster AM6000 ComboAll-in-one system that alerts you to activities and sounds around the home. Includes alarm clock, bed shaker and doorbell.
• Sonic Boom Alarm Clock with optional bed shaker. Tone and volume up to 113 dB. Lamp can plug into back of clock to flash a lamp for notification.

Photographs by kind permission of Oaktree Products, Inc.

This is not a complete list of available products.