Products

TV/Movies

Television
Television can be a problem for many hearing-impaired people because visual cues are not always available. Many TV personalities speak rapidly and sometimes background noise can interfere with the dialogue. Some hearing-impaired people find that, with practice, they can do reasonably well with their hearing aids or special adapters, which bring the sound closer and eliminate environmental sounds.

Movies
Some people do very well with their hearing aids when they go to the movies, but some general suggestions may help you if you are having difficulty in this situation. Experiment by sitting in various seats throughout the theater so that you find the best spot for your needs. Avoid sitting near children who tend to be noisy and try not to sit under the balcony. Also try to sit close enough to screen so that visual cues can help you. By law, theaters should provide an amplification system or device to aid hearing impaired viewers. Ask the attendant at the ticket booth or customer service desk for more information.

Solution:
TV Ears – This device is a wireless infrared system that assists individuals by overcoming background noise, reverberation, and distance from the sound source. This system is comprised of a transmitter, a headset, and operates for approximately ten hours on a 3-hour charge. Operational range is limited to 50 feet line of sight from the transmitter. Some models may be taken to public places (movie theaters, churches, etc.) that operate using the universal transmission frequency as required by the ADA.

Door Bells & Alarms

Some people with hearing loss experience difficulty hearing a knock on the door, ring of the doorbell or telephone, or alarm clocks. These devices can alert the hearing-impaired individual of these signals.

Solution: The Door Knock
This device is placed on the inside of the door and once activated by vibrations, it emits a flashing strobe light to alert the person with a hearing loss.

Solution: Wireless Door Chime with Strobe Light
This device actually has a mounted push-button which will activate both a strobe light and a loud chime.

Solution: Amplified Phone Ringer
This is a portable device that can be added on to any telephone. Adjustments capable of amplifying the ring signal to 95 dB.

Solution: Sonic Shaker Portable Alarm Clock
This device is a portable alarm clock that can be placed under your pillow. This clock has a pulsating vibrator and an audible alarm. When this alarm sounds, the pillow will shake and awaken the sleeping individual. This alarm is great for those who travel and are concerned about not hearing the hotel alarm clock.

Solution: Sonic Boom Alarm Clock

The Sonic Boom, with adjustable volume and tone control, is guaranteed to wake up even the heaviest sleepers. When the alarm goes off, the user can select to wake up to any combination of a loud audio alarm, flashing lights (by plugging a lamp into it), or shaking bed.

Personal Listening Devices

Sometimes, a hearing aid is not always the best solution in one-on-one situations, particularly if there is background noise. Personal listening systems can assist hearing impaired individuals in these situations. Some devices have headsets for the hearing-impaired person to wear, and a microphone that they can point toward the speaker. This improves the ratio of signal-to-noise by amplifying the speaker’s message and sending it directly to the ears of the person with a hearing loss.

Solution: PockeTalker Ultra The PockeTalker
Ultra amplifies sound clearly and easily for better understanding. 100 hours of battery life ensures long-lasting performance. Each PockeTalker Ultra includes a plug-in sensitive microphone and a TV listening extension cord. Compatible with a variety of headphone styles or a neckloop and compatible hearing aid.

Telephones

Most people with hearing loss can do well with the telephone, especially if he/she has achieved a good level of satisfaction with his/her hearing aids. For those who experience difficulty, a telephone amplifier may be helpful, even for those who do not use hearing aids on a regular basis. For those who frequently must use the telephone in noisy backgrounds, a special telecoil may be on the hearing aid to electromagnetically connect your hearing aid with the telephone.

Solution: Amplified Telephones

Below are just a few of the telephones that are available to persons with hearing loss. These phones have the capability of processing the sound before it is even heard by the listener to give a clearer signal. Some models also have adjustments that allow the listener to change the volume and pitch of the speaker and the ringer.

	Ameriphone In-Line AmplifierThis is a portable device that can be added to any corded phone. Provides up to 40 dB of amplification. Adjustments for volume and tone.
	Clarity XL-30, XL-40, XL-50Amount of amplification varies by model. Adjustments for pitch and volume of the speaker. Bright visual ring indicator and adjustable, amplified ring.
	Clarity C600 Cordless Phone + Caller IDAmplifies up to 30 dB. Bright visual ring indicator in handset and base with adjustable amplified ring in the handset.
	ClearSounds CSC50 + Caller IDAmplifies up to 50 dB. Speakerphone with adjustable volume. Bright visual ring indicator and adjustable, amplified ring.
	Clarity C4230 Cordless Phone + Caller ID and Answering MachineAmplifies up to 50 dB. Speakerphone with adjustable volume in the handset and base. Digital answering machine with adjustable speed playback. Up to 3 expandable handsets.