Using the latest technology, today’s hearing aids are remarkable. In fact, modern hearing aids can be programmed to respond to each person’s unique hearing loss, have the capability to be synced with Bluetooth phones and TVs, and some are no larger than a dime!
Hearing aids can usually compensate for the majority of hearing loss; however, some hearing aid users continue to have difficulty understanding speech in noisy areas or may not be able to hear things like smoke alarms when they have their hearing aid out at night. For these instances, there are a number of hearing loss support devices to ensure that people with decreased hearing don’t miss a thing.
Alerting Devices: Alerting devices are available for everything from smoke detectors to doorbells. For example, a doorbell alerting device would flash a light when someone rings the door bell or knocks. Alarm clock alerting devices come in versions that have adjustable volumes and pitches, flash lights, or vibrate to help wake the person up.
Assistive Listening Devices: Assistive listening devices are tools that help a person with diminished hearing hear things like the TV or speech over the telephone better. Specifically, voice carryovers (or VCOs) help those who cannot hear speech over the telephone. VCOs allow you to speak directly to the other party while an operator translates what the other party says to you in print displayed on a small LCD screen.
Those who have trouble hearing the television may want to consider headphones or wireless transmitters to help hearing—even when sitting across the room.
Below are a few online stores that sell hearing loss support devices:
- Harris Communications: www.harriscomm.com
- Silent Call Communications: www.silentcall.com
- Products for the Deaf: www.productsforthedeaf.com
- NexGen Products: www.nexgenproducts.com
- HITEC: www.hitec.com
If you or your loved ones need assistance with hearing loss or in-home care, contact A Nurse in the Family of Santa Fe at 505-954-1435. We look forward to getting to know you!
