Jeff Weltmer

“Hearing Aids Improve Quality of Life for Olathe Optometrist.”

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Assistive Listening Devices Questions & Answers

It is estimated that approximately 28 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss. Only 6.5 million of them wear hearing aids, but often times a hearing aid alone is not enough help in some situations. For instance, individuals may experience more difficulty listening while eating at a restaurant, in meetings, or talking on the telephone. Additional help can be available through the use of assistive listening devices.

• What is an assistive listening device?
• Why should I need an assistive listening device if I already use hearing aids?
• Are there assistive devices that will allow me to enjoy attending the theatre again?
• Will these devices also help me hear the television better?
• Is there also an assistive device to help me hear better over the telephone?
• Is there an assistive device that can help me hear the phone or the smoke alarm when I'm not wearing my hearing aid?
• Kansas and Missouri Telecommunications Access Program (TAP)
• What local theaters offer ALDs?

What is an assistive listening device?

Assistive listening devices (ALDs) are amplification devices that are designed to be helpful in very specific, but not all listening situations. They can be thought of as "binoculars for the ears". They increase the loudness of sounds and deliver the sound directly to your ear or to your hearing aid.

Why should I need an assistive listening device if I already use hearing aids?

Hearing aids can benefit your hearing in most situations, but are not as beneficial in some specific situations. In contrast, ALDs are designed to be helpful in specific situations, but are not helpful in all listening situations. There are three main factors affecting a listener's ability to understand the speaker's message (with and without the use of hearing aids):

• Reverberation due to poor room acoustics - Sound waves can bounce off of reflective surfaces (i.e. windows, walls, furniture) creating distortion in the desired signal.
• Distance between the listener and the speaker - The intensity of sound diminishes as the distance between the listener and the speaker increases; therefore, even people wearing hearing aids get marginal benefit if they are too far away from the desired signal.
• Competing background noise - Most situations have significant amounts of background noise that competes with the signal of interest. An ALD decreases the negative impact of background noise by bringing the signal directly to the ear.

Are there assistive devices that will allow me to enjoy attending the theatre again?

• Induction Loop - The microphone of this system is attached to a loop of wire placed around the perimeter of the room and an electromagnetic field is created. The receiver of the ALD picks up the electromagnetic field. If the person wears a hearing aid, placing a special switch to "T" (for telephone) will directly pick up the signal, and no headset is required. Without a hearing aid, a special headset is used.
• FM (Frequency Modulation) System - This system is similar to a radio broadcast system. The speaker wears the microphone, and the signal is sent by radio waves directly to the listener, who wears a personal receiver. Hearing aid users can use the "T" switch, allowing them to remove the standard headset and utilize small induction loop (neckloop) that fits around the neck. Listeners who do not wear a hearing aid use headphones (commonly worn with Walkman radios). Several local Kansas CIty theatres provide FM systems for their hearing impaired patrons, including the Folly Theatre, Starlight Theatre, and several movie theatres.
• Infrared - This system is similar to the FM system except the signal is now transmitted using infrared light waves. As stated above, listeners have the option of accessing this system using their hearing aid and a neckloop*, or a special headset. Several local Kansas City theatres provide infrared systems for their hearing impaired patrons, including the American Heartland Theatre, Missouri Repertory and the New Theatre Restaurant.

  *Neckloops are rarely available at entertainment facilities, and may be purchased from your audiologist in advance.

Will these devices also help me hear the television better?

All these systems are available in a smaller version for use in the home to hear the television. In addition, there is also a "visual" system that can benefit the deaf, hard of hearing or even individuals with normal hearing.

• Captioning - The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 required all televisions with a 13"or larger screen to have built-in closed captioning. Captions are words displayed on the TV screen that describe the audio of the TV program. They allow the viewer who is deaf or hard of hearing to follow the dialogue and the action of the program simultaneously. In addition, they offer information on who is speaking during the scene and about sound effects.

Is there also an assistive device to help me hear better over the telephone?

There are devices available to help people hear better over the telephone, with or without hearing loss. If hearing aids are used, the "T" switch can be very helpful to amplify the telephone without causing the hearing aid to feedback or whistle. Some devices can even be used with your existing telephone. For individuals with profound hearing loss that do not benefit from an amplified telephone, a text telephone allows the user to type a message to whom they are speaking with.

Is there an assistive device that can help me hear the phone or the smoke alarm when I'm not wearing my hearing aid?

There are also devices available that can assist in increasing awareness of sounds in the home, including but not limited to, the telephone ringing, someone knocking on the door or ringing the doorbell, the alarm clock, the fire/smoke alarm, and a baby monitor. There are many ways these devices can get your attention, and you can discuss these differences along with your particular lifestyle needs with your audiologist.

Kansas and Missouri Telecommunications Access Program (TAP)

The TAP program provides vouchers for specialized telephone equipment and signaling devices for individuals with disabilities who need assistance in utilizing the telephone and reside in the states of Kansas and Missouri. To apply for a TAP voucher, you can ask for an application to be completed and signed by you and a licensed professional (ask your audiologist). If approved, a voucher will be mailed to your home address. The voucher can then be taken to an approved TAP vendor where you can pick up or order your requested equipment. For more information, please contact us.

What local theaters offer ALDs?

Adapted from American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Audiology Information Series, Vol. 1, No. 4, 2000.

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