Due to technological advancements, today’s hearing aids do an excellent job of helping people meet many of their communication needs. However, sometimes there are situations where additional technologies may be needed.
Some hearing aid users may continue to experience difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments, when watching TV or attending a movie or play, or while listening on the telephone. At bedtime, a person with even a mild to moderate hearing loss may not hear the smoke alarm located down the hall. This same person might miss a doorbell chime while listening to the TV.
Complete Alerting Systems
Alerting devices can be purchased individually to warn a person of a specific event or as complete systems that warn a person of a variety of events. For example, someone living in a one-room studio apartment might need just a simple device that flashes a single light when someone presses the doorbell or knocks on the door, whereas another individual living in a large house with many rooms may need a system that triggers flashing lamps in every room of the house when the doorbell is 1 V) iiri pressed, the telephone rings, or the fire alarm is lights (e.g. five flashes for the doorbell vs. activated. Some systems use coded flashing one flash for every time the phone rings) whereas others use a vibrating body-worn pager that vibrates and displays a number corresponding to the event.
There is usually a base unit that has its own outlets in which you can plug in a lamp and a bed shaker. If a lamp is used for alerting, it can be used for regular lighting as well and will flash regardless if the light appears on or off. Some systems use their own special lamps or strobe lights.
Alerting devices sometimes use a combination of signals. For example, a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm might simultaneously trigger flashing lights throughout the home, a loud horn and a vibrating device (pager, bed shaker) or a fan.
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Alarm Clock, Timer and Watch
There are many alarm clocks and timers available with adjustable volume and pitch, flashing light, or vibration. There are also several wrist watches available that use vibration as an alarm, on the hour alert, medication reminder or countdown timer.
Assistive Listening Devices Auditory assistive listening devices can be thought of as “binoculars for the ears.” These devices bring the desired sound “closer” to one’s ear(s) before it has a chance of being mixed with noise and reverberation.
Telephones

Cell Phones
Many cell phones will note that they are hearing aid compatible. In addition, most cell phones can be used with a cell phone amplifier as well as have a text message option. For those who cannot understand over the voice telephone, even with amplification, there are other options such as the “voice carry over” (VCO) or “read and talk” telephone. Used with the telephone relay service, VCO allows you to talk directly to the other party while an operator translates what the other party says to you into print that is displayed on a small LCD screen.TTY
TTYs are small typewriters that allow two individuals to communicate with one another over a standard telephone line by typing text back and forth. When one party does not have a TTY, a relay operator acts as the typist during the conversation. TTYs are available with memory and answering machine capabilities. These TTYs can store conversations as well as greeting messages. In addition, some TTYs have a built-in printer that can print the conversation as it proceeds. There are also portable TTYs available that have direct connect and can be used with cell phones. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has implemented the toll free phone number of 7-1-1 for access to all Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS). TRS permits deaf or hard of hearing individuals to use the telephone system via a TTY or other device.Television

Below are just a few examples of places to purchase hearing loss support devices.
- Harris Communications: HarrisComm.com
- Silent Call Communications: SilentCall.com
- MaxiAids: MaxiAids.com/hearing
- NexGen Products: www.nexgenproducts.net
- HITEC: hitec.com
Along with providing the stress-free companionship of someone who understands hearing loss, Relevar Home Care can help someone with hearing loss to remain independent and stay safe within his or her home and daily environment. Call (888) 493-3513 for more information or to set up a free in-home consultation.
Web Resources:
Click the links below to access resource websites to learn more about hearing issues and solutions for seniors.
Hearing Loss FAQs
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders provides answers to some frequently asked questions concerning seniors and hearing loss on this National Institute of Health site.
Fact Sheet: Buying a Hearing Aid
This fact sheet informs on necessary steps and issues involving purchasing a hearing aid, courtesy of the American Academy of Otolaryngology.
Guides to Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants
Quick guides available from Healthy Hearing provide online information on hearing aids, hearing loss, tinnitus and other topics associated with hearing loss.
Center for Hearing and Communication
This site contains a wealth of information for all audiences on hearing loss.