ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES

Assistive Listening Devices are commonly referred to as ALDs. These are not intended as a less expensive alternative to hearing aids. Rather ALDs are intended as supplements to hearing aids. Many hard of hearing people (HOH) get all the help they need from hearing aids. Others find ALDs a necessity, in order to enjoy a quality of life as close as possible to normal hearing individuals.

ALERTING SYSTEMS
The simplest forms of ALDs are devices that help HOH receive notification of the doorbell, the telephone, the smoke alarm, the alarm clock. These devices fall into two categories: flashing lights and vibrators. Vibrators are generally more costly but also more effective.

TELEPHONE
There is a variety of telephones available for the HOH. With a certificate from a hearing aid professional, HOH can fulfill all their needs in landline telephones from CTAP (California Access Program). CTAP provides their equipment on loan for free. The equipment can be ordered on the phone and is delivered shipping prepaid. There are now also wireless telephones available that are hearing aid compatible. Samsung Clam Shell type phones available from Verizon and Sprint are generally hearing aid compatible. Audex makes a special wireless phone for the HOH that provides loud telephone ringing, loud voice mail notification and loud voice reception by either air conduction or telecoil. Audex also provides a cell phone monthly service designed for occasional use of the phone at a reasonable price.

LISTENING DEVICES
Listening devices fall into three classes. There are the hearing amplifiers. These are cigarette pack size devices equipped with a microphone and a jack for earphones, headphones and other devices that bring the voice directly into the ear. Then there are the FM systems. The receiver works like the amplifiers described above without a microphone. The transmitter is available in cigarette pack battery operated size equipped with a microphone, or a 110 Volt system, which is designed primarily to be connected to a loudspeaker system. These systems work like small FM radio station and a separate receiver that receives the sound from the station through the air. The third class of listening devices are infra red systems, most commonly used in movie theaters and for TV listening enjoyment. There is a transmitter that sends an infrared beam to the receiver worn by the HOH person. The receiver must be within sight of the transmitter. The most popular of all three types of this equipment are made by Williams Sound, but there are numerous other manufacturers.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Alerting Systems: Harc, 800 445-9968 www.harc.com; Harris Communications, 800 825-6758 www.harriscom.com; LS&S 800 468-4789 www.lssproducts.com
California Telephone Access (CTAP) Voice 800 806-1191; TTY 800 806-4474
Williams Sound 800 328-6190, www.williamssound.com, local distributor: Hearing Helpers, 760 747-3813
Audex, 800 237-0715, local distributor: Hearing Helpers, 760 747-3813

This site is under construction
If you have questions about ALDs.
including speech amplifiers, FM, infrared
and loop systems, email to
ewormser@cox.net or call 760 747-3813

In time, this site will refer the readers to many more
sources where the equipment described is available