Hearing Center: About Assistive Listening Devices

As any hearing center can tell you, there is a world of helpful options beyond the use of a traditional listening aid. Assistive listening devices can help anyone struggling with auditory impairment find a better quality of life and cope with the many disadvantages they face each and every day. For someone with a perfect ability to hear, it can be difficult to conceive of how challenging life can be for those who do not have such an ability. It is human nature to take our sensory perception for granted. Thankfully, those in modern science and technology know the challenges and have worked hard to come up with solutions to a number of tricky problems.

Need

You've been to a hearing center. You had your ears checked and the technicians there helped you pick out a listening aid that will help amplify the sounds you hear, from conversation to music. While you may think this will be enough, in many scenarios it may not be. A typical aid is not a substitute for perfect ears. Even the most advanced devices fall far short of your natural sensory perceptions. Assistive listening devices can help pick up the slack where traditional aids fail. They are perfect for a number of situations where you need a little extra help to enjoy the experience.

Types

Assistive listening devices generally come in one of two types. The first is a genuine listening device. You'll see these devices used on occasion in places like the movie theater or the orchestra hall. They transmit sound directly to the listener, which allows them to rely on a speaker in close proximity rather than the general PA system or speakers. If you've ever been to a drive-in movie, you've seen the speakers you can detach and hang on your car window. While not intended for the deaf, these work in a similar fashion. The other type of ALD is an alerting device. This type of device may use light, color, or vibration to provide a signal for something that is usually a hearing-related event such as a doorbell or a ringing telephone.

Assistance

If you have visited a hearing center and know that you have impairment, assistive listening devices may be able to help you in a variety of situations. With a bit of research, you can find many applications where such a device can come in handy. These devices can be portable or fitted into your home to make your everyday life easier. If you're unable to come up with sources on your own, talk to your doctor for more information.