subject: Beyond The Hearing Aid - Other Assistive Devices [print this page] While the hearing aid is likely to remain the most viable option when it comes to devices that can help someone with auditory impairment enjoy a full life, there are a number of items being developed that can provide similar assistance to the hearing impaired. Some of these options have been around for decades, while others are still in their infancy. By making use of these options, anyone with a listening impairment can fight against their disability and live normally.
Telecommunication
For many people with auditory impairment, talking on the phone is one of the activities they dread the most. Even with a good hearing aid, it can be difficult to understand the soft and somewhat distorted speech that comes through the phone line. As Americans have taken to the cell phone like they took to television in the 1950s, it is difficult to maintain a social and professional life without talking on the phone. Telecommunication devices for the deaf can be a big help in these scenarios. There are devices that can send sound directly to the ear, making it clearer. There are also keyboards and screens that attempt to translate spoken word into text.
Alarm Clocks
Those with auditory impairment still need a way to wake up in the morning, and the alarm clock they currently have may not be enough to get the job done. Few people sleep with their hearing aid in, meaning they have to deal with the full extent of their impairment when under the covers. There are several alarm clock options to help with this dilemma. Instead of producing sounds, they vibrate or flash colors in order to wake up the user. While it may not seem like that would mean anything to someone with his or her eyes closed, it has proven to be fairly effective.
Visual Signals
Someone with auditory impairment may have a hard time knowing if someone is out on the front step knocking on the door or even ringing the doorbell. They may have no idea that the phone is ringing. To compensate for this, manufacturers have made visual signals that can be attached to these devices, alerting the user visually when others would rely on sound. For those with a hearing aid or a lower degree of impairment, the visual signals can be used in conjunction with sound to make sure one or the other never fails.
