The Importance of Domestic Hearing-Impaired Communication Devices

If you are hearing impaired or know someone who is, you will likely understand how complex daily tasks such as using the telephone, watching TV and even having conversations can be. Using a hearing aid fitted to your own needs and hearing profile can be an exceptional help, but isn’t always a sufficient solution. There is a wealth of devices out there that can help make your daily communications less of a hassle.

“According to the World Health Organisation, over 5% of the world’s population requires rehabilitation to address their ‘disabling’ hearing loss.”

Hearing-impaired communication devices – and everyday enhancements such as amplifiers, hearing loops and specialist alarm clocks- could help make everyday life less stressful.

Many of these devices are designed to be compatible with hearing aids and cochlear implants, using technology such as telecoils to transmit sound directly, enhance clarity, and reduce background noise.

Let’s look at leading devices and tools that could help make communicating more manageable.

Audiologists often recommend amplified devices for patients with residual hearing ability, noting their effectiveness in improving speech understanding in various environments. Tone control is also an important factor.

Telephones for hard-of-hearing people

Regardless of your situation, you must communicate with the world around you. Consider how much you need to use the telephone daily. If you’re finding it difficult to hear the other end of the conversation through your handset, it may be time to invest in a specialist telephone with built in amplification, tone control and hearing loop.

An amplified telephone can increase the volume of the caller’s voice through your handset, and an in -built hearing loop will help reduce background noise giving the best in speech clarity.

Additionally, some models come equipped with adjustable tone controls, allowing users to customise speech sound frequency to match their residual hearing capabilities, a feature highlighted in audiologist-led studies.

This means whether to get in touch with friends, family, work or facilities, you do not have to worry or fret about missing important information.

Alarm clocks

As annoying as they may be, alarm clocks can be extremely useful for a variety of reasons. Be it for work, important events, or simply keeping up with our daily routines, if we’re prone to sleep in, they can help us to get our days started. However, when you are hard of hearing, it can be very difficult to find an alarm clock that works well enough for you.

Short of getting an alarm clock that will wake up the whole house, there does not seem to be much that you can do! Thankfully, that does not have to be the case.

To address this need, manufacturers have developed alarm clocks that utilise vibration that can be attached to your pillow, ensuring a personal wake-up call without disturbing others.

You can easily invest in a specialist alarm clock that will not disturb the neighbours or indeed anyone else around you.

Alarm clocks for those who are hard of hearing are designed to flash bright lights that are strong enough to wake you up. Should you need it, you can also have them programmed to vibrate to a pager, or even just on the bedside table, strong enough to wake you up. This way, you do not have to worry about missing an alarm again.

Alarm clocks communicate with us every single day – and if you struggle with missing appointments or events, it’s essential to ask for help.

Television Hearing Loop

TV has a firm place in most people’s lives – and it’s become an important communication device thanks to news reports, not just the soaps and movies we enjoy watching during downtime. However, if you are hard of hearing, you soon find that watching television can become difficult.

Not all programmes are set to the same volume, meaning you frequently have to adjust it to your liking. Moreover, whether you live with other people or have neighbours nearby, having your television at the volume you need can quickly cause upset. Therefore, investing in a television hearing loop may be your best action.

Television hearing loops increase the volume and enhance sound quality by filtering out background noise and focusing on clear speech, making it easier to follow dialogues and narratives without excessive volume.

The great thing about television hearing loops is that they will direct the sound of the television directly to your hearing aid, meaning that you can easily adjust the volume from the comfort of your seat. Moreover, you are the only one who will hear the modification in sound, meaning those around you will be unbothered by any volume increases you require.

These devices are often equipped with various settings to cater to different hearing profiles, ensuring that users can find the optimal audio setup for their personal needs.

The great news is that if your hearing aid has a t-coil or hearing loop setting, you will be able to use this with a TV Hearing Loop. Be sure to look at your instruction manual and contact our team for advice should you need it.

Portable induction loops

RF1Pack

Induction loops are fantastic for helping hearing aid users tune in on conversations in busy public spaces. But what if you head somewhere without an induction loop installed? Wouldn’t it be great to have your own personal induction system to take to work, dinner and back home again?

Portable induction loops enhance one-on-one conversations in environments where background noise, such as restaurants or crowded gatherings, can be overwhelming.

A portable induction loop will transmit whatever sound you focus on directly to your hearing aid, so you do not have to worry about listening to the surrounding noise. These can be particularly useful at business meetings, social events, family dinners, etc.

It’s important to note that the effectiveness of portable induction loops relies on the hearing aid’s telecoil (T-coil) compatibility. Users are encouraged to consult with their audiologist to ensure their hearing aids are T-coil equipped and properly configured to work with these portable systems.

Conclusion

So, whether it is for pleasure, work, or even for safety, hearing-impaired communication devices can be essential. You need to know that you have equipment to ensure you’re always up to speed wherever you are, whatever you are doing.

However, it pays to think carefully about what you need from such equipment. How could hearing-impaired communication devices improve your everyday life and routines? Consider how much you need your alarm clock, telephone – and even to listen to people in busy environments.

It’s important to remember that a suitable device can significantly enhance your independence and participation in social situations, reducing feelings of isolation.

Hearing Loop is a leading UK brand in hard-of-hearing support tools and communication devices. We’re here to help you regain crucial confidence in even the simplest of everyday tasks. Our range of devices is designed with the latest technology to ensure ease of use and high-quality performance, catering to various needs and preferences.

If you are interested in any of our hearing-impaired communication devices from alarm clocks to amplifiers, please call us on 01142 357717, or email us at info@hearingloop.co.uk to learn more. Our team is always ready to provide personalised advice and support, ensuring you find the best solution for your hearing needs.