If you are caring for an aging parent with hearing impairment, you must have noticed that it requires extra effort to get their attention and communicate effectively with them. Today, the medical industry offers a wide selection of assisted listening devices that are designed to improve the ability of those with hearing impairment. By using these devices, they and the people around them can experience a lower level of stress while achieving a better quality of life.
Hearing Aids
A hearing aid is a small electronic device that can easily fit into your ear or clipped behind it. It is designed to amplify sounds so that you can better communicate with others while participating in day-to-day senior activities. A hearing aid is made up of three components. The sounds enter the device through a microphone which then transforms the waves into electric signals before sending them to an amplifier. The amplifier boosts the signal strength which is transmitted via a speaker into the ear. The three styles of hearing aids include the following:
- In-the-Ear
- Behind-the-Ear
- Canal hearing aids
Assisted Listening Devices
It can become tough to pick up the different sounds when they are all mixed together in a room. Through assisted listening devices, people with hearing impairment can better understand what is being said so they can communicate much more easily. These devices transmit certain sounds directly into the ear to improve hearing during one-on-one conversations and in a smaller space like a theater, classroom, and others. Many models of assisted listening devices work through a wireless link which directly connects the device to a hearing aid or cochlear implant. The different types of assisted listening devices are as follows:
- FM systems
- Hearing loop
- Personal amplifiers
- Infrared systems
Alerting Devices
Alerting devices transmit an alert when a certain sound is made. You will be alerted to the doorbell sound, the ringtone of a phone, and others. Other important sounds that can be picked up by alerting devices include someone entering your home, a fire, or your baby’s cries. These devices can be programmed to transmit an alert that can easily be recognized. The alerts can include a vibration, a flashing light, or a horn.
Telephone Devices
There are many tools that can boost your listening capabilities when you have a conversation over the telephone. These devices are known as amplifiers that pick up sounds and transmit them in a higher volume. Some telephones come with built-in amplifiers that are compatible with an external amplifier which you can easily attach to your telephone. Some are portable and can be used with any type of telephone. There are also amplifier models that are to be used right next to the ear. However, they may require special settings to connect with hearing aids. For conversations over a digital phone line, there are devices that can prevent distortion so you can listen more clearly. For those with severe hearing loss, there are telecommunication relay services that let you place calls to standard telephones. You can type your messages instead of using your voice which will be relayed as a voice message.
