www.HealthyHearing.com |
Assistive listening devices (ALDs) for hearing loss
Contributed by Joy Victory, managing editor, Healthy Hearing Assistive listening devices (ALDs) enable personal connections to audio sources for music and TV. Similarly, assistive listening systems (ALS) help in places like theaters and lecture halls. If you have hearing loss, it is likely hearing aids will be a tremendous help to you in your daily life. But what about situations when your hearing aids aren’t quite enough? First, make sure you've read up on tips for communicating with hearing loss. Next, look into the large variety of assistive listening devices (ALDs) and assistive listening systems (ALSs) that fill the gap in both private and public settings. Types of assistive listening devices![]() Smartphones and apps also provide many ALD-like tools. Assistive listening devices enable personal connections to devices, making it easier to hear or communicate. They include amplified telephones, hearing aid compatible phones and smartphones, television compatible devices, and alerting devices. Amplified and captioned telephonesAmplified phones are specifically designed for people with hearing loss, allowing you to turn up the volume as necessary to hear speech clearly. You do not need to wear hearing aids to benefit from these devices. They can make it easier to hear high-pitched sounds, the same sounds many people with hearing loss struggle to hear. These phones sometimes also feature amplified ring tones so you’ll never miss a call. Also, captioned phones provide real-time captioning, which are particularly helpful for people with severe to profound hearing loss. Hearing aid compatible phones and telecoilsBy law, telephone manufacturers must make phones compatible with hearing aids. This includes smartphones like iPhones and Androids. Hearing aid compatible phones generally use either acoustic or telecoil coupling. Acoustic coupling picks up and amplifies sounds from the phone as well as any noise around you. Telecoil coupling requires your hearing aid to be equipped with a telecoil, a special feature that only picks up the phone signal for amplification. Telecoils in hearing aids are desirable for many people because background noise is blocked out during phone calls. "Many hearing aids are equipped with a built-in telecoil but the audiologist may have not activated it," says Dr. Juliëtte Sterkens, an audiologist with the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA). She recommends consumers ask their provider about telecoils. Another option is for consumers to search HLAA support chapters, where peers can give an in-person demonstration. "People can benefit from this telecoil feature, especially if they spend significant time on the phone or in a theater," Sterkens explains. Additionally, phone apps can serve as their own unique ALDs. For example, caption apps can provide text translation for speech. Assistive listening devices for televisionsWhen you have trouble clearly understanding or hearing the television, watching your favorite shows can become a chore. Turning up the television isn’t always the best option since it can make sound distorted and even more difficult to understand. And, when you’re watching TV with others, maxing out the volume isn’t always a popular option. There are several television ALDs that can work for you whether or not you already wear hearing aids. Some television amplifiers work even without hearing aids. For example, TV Ears® is a popular and relatively inexpensive wireless headset with a personal volume control that plugs directly into your TV’s earphone socket. Alerting devicesMost ALDs help make listening easier, but some also help you stay connected to what is going on around you and improve your safety. These alerting devices rely on amplified sounds, visual cues and even vibrations to alert you to sounds in your environment. Some examples of alerting devices include vibrating alarm clocks to help you start your day on time, doorbell alerts that use flashing lights to let you know a visitor is at your door, vibrating and flashing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Assistive listening systems for public settings![]() access hearing loops. Assistive listening systems (ALSs) generally refers to system-wide technology that's useful in public settings such as a theater, airport, church or lecture hall. The Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, mandates that most public places offer some type of assistive listening system. There are three types of ALSs recognized by the ADA:
All assistive listening systems are required to be accessible for people with hearing aids, hearing aids with a telecoil, or hearing aids with no telecoil. "If your hearing aid has this telecoil built in, connecting to a hearing loop is very easy," Sterkens says. Of the three different public listening systems, hearing loops are preferred by most users, Sterkens says. "Many users like them so much they're working to get them installed all over the country." Ask your hearing care provider for helpHearing aid technology is impressive and can be a big help for people with hearing loss. However, if you have unique needs that aren’t addressed by your hearing aids or if you aren’t yet ready for hearing aids, assistive listening devices or systems can be the answer. But as you can see, there are many choices and options available—and these days, smartphones can even be considered a type of ALD! Your hearing care provider is your ally in this realm and can help you get set up with home ALDs or access public ALSs. Joy Victory, managing editor, Healthy Hearing
You are reading about: Related topics
More information about hearing loss, hearing aids, hearing aid brands and tinnitus. Featured clinics near me
Virginia Head and Neck Surgeons and Specialized Hearing Center
Hearing & Balance Services of Reston Find a clinicNeed a hearing test but not sure which clinic to choose? Call 1-877-872-7165 for help setting up a hearing test appointment. Related contentThe Healthy Hearing Report![]() |
www.HealthyHearing.com |
Assistive listening devices (ALDs) for hearing loss
Contributed by Joy Victory, managing editor, Healthy Hearing Assistive listening devices (ALDs) enable personal connections to audio sources for music and TV. Similarly, assistive listening systems (ALS) help in places like theaters and lecture halls. |