Listening to the TV or a radio program, using a phone, or even answering a caller at the doorbell are things a lot of people take for granted, but if you are hard of hearing these things can be a real struggle. Assistive Listening Devices (ALD) can help. We take a look at how to choose the best device for your needs.
Hearing Aids
Many people who are hard of hearing often wear a hearing aid to help listen to events in their everyday life. But these might not always the best solution, especially if you are driving or are in a noisy restaurant. Hearing aids, unfortunately, are not 100% perfect and may you need an additional device such as an Assistive Listening Device to help hear clearly. Using the two together will provide a significant improvement in your daily life.
Benefits of Assistive Listening Devices
Assisted Listening Devices have several benefits for those who are hard of hearing:
- There are a number of devices to choose from. From phone amplifiers to TV listeners, there are various choices of device aimed to improve your everyday life. You can even get baby monitors and smoke alarms.
- ALDs bring distant sounds to your ears, so it gives the sensation that someone is talking into both of yours at the same time, making sound that much clearer.
- ALDs cut out background noise. Microphones are much closer to the speaker’s mouth than other devices, so you only pick up the sounds going into the microphone, not anything else. Meetings, restaurants and parties become much more enjoyable with an ALD.
- Many ALDs are portable. You can take a personal amplifier wherever you go, even on holiday.
Downsides
There are some downsides to ALDs which users need to be aware of:
- Some ALDs can be an expensive outlay.
- Battery powered devices may need regular battery changes.
- You may still need to use a hearing aid with them.
Types of ALDs available
There are several kinds of ALDs available to purchase. They use several types of technology to help you listen. No technology is 100% perfect and you may find some types work better than others. Choose one suited to your needs, budget and personal situation. Technologies available include personal amplifiers, radio systems, induction loop systems and Bluetooth systems.
- Personal amplifiers are small portable devices which amplify ambient sound in social situations such as in the cinema, group conversations and watching TV. These amplifiers can be used with an induction loop system for the hard of hearing in public spaces – you don’t even need to use your hearing aid.
- If you are in a meeting or personal conversation, you can also clip a lapel microphone to the person you are speaking to, plug it into your personal amplifier, attach a neck loop and listen to the person through the t-coils in your hearing aids. This helps to cut out any background noise. The downside to this is that you are wired together and can’t move around easily.
- Radio systems use radio waves to send sound to your device. Because they have no wires, you have greater freedom of movement and a longer range. You can sit at the back of a lecture for example, and listen to the lecturer. You do need to ensure the speaker will wear your transmitter/microphone.
- You can also buy TV amplifiers which use radio technology and are ideal if you don’t want to trip over any wires. Doorbells, telephones and alarms are other devices which use this technology.
- Induction Loop systems use magnetic fields to send sound from the speaker to your ears. These are often the most affordable devices. You need to have a hearing aid which has t-coils to use them.
- You can buy neck loops to wear around your neck for personal use and install a room loop to help hear the TV. With these loops, you can hear it anywhere in the room.
- Bluetooth systems use Bluetooth technology to listen to devices even if they are in your pocket or bag. They are perfect for use with mobile phones and laptops.
- Whilst not a technology, telephone amplifiers are available to help increase the caller’s voice.
ALDs can improve the general quality of life for the hard of hearing. The range of devices available can help your listening quality in any situation and make everyday tasks accessible once more.
