Hearing Assist Products

There's an ever-growing array of Assistive Listening Devices (ALD's) on the market today for the hard of hearing. Take the time to shop around, these products can greatly improve your hearing experience and quality of life.

VCO Telephones: In addition to turning the volume up on a regular phone consider a VCO (voice carry over) phone. These phones have a visual text readout that allows you to read while you listen, they help you pick-up portions of the conversation you may have missed. These phones work with a relay call where the phone companies place a small surcharge of a few cents per month to support staff that type the phone messages as you speak. VCO phones usually have a volume boost, frequency control, and a flashing light to indicate that the phone is wringing. Most have 3.5 mm jack to plug in a neck-loop and are hearing aid compatible.

Alarm Clocks: Those adapted for the hearing impaired include loud volume capability, vibrators, and even strobe lights. Wrist watches that vibrate at a set time alert you without disturbing others.

TV Headphones: Designed to help you hear the TV while allowing the rest of the family to set the volume to their preference. Headphones are available that allow you to individually adjust the volume for each ear. TV Ears is one recognized product.

Pillow Vibrator: For those that choose not to wake up to the sound of a loud radio, a vibrating pillow can be set similar to an alarm clock or you can choose an alarm clock that has a vibrating pillow option.

Personal Amplifier Systems: Small individual systems the size of a Walkman or iPod that picks up sound and amplifies it with your choice of headphones or ear buds. The advantage is the ability to place the unit where it won't pick up background noise. These units are battery operated, compact, and made for ease of use with extension cords for a TV, belt clips, and carrying cases.

TTY Compatibility: Text Telephones are terminals used for two-way text messaging. They were originally designed for the deaf. They look and operate like a phone with a keyboard. Other visual telecommunications devices for the hard of hearing and deaf include chat and messaging on the Internet, emails, e-paging, and fax machines.

Signalers or Alerting Systems: Devices that help notify you that the doorbell or telephone is ringing, the baby's crying, or a smoke alarm has gone off. To notify you these devices may turn lamps on and off or signal though a vibrator or strobe light. In small areas one signaler may be sufficient while in a larger home you may have several remote receivers that turn signalers on.

Miscellaneous Products: Other products available include sound conditioners for those suffering from tinnitus. These electronic units mask out distracting noises and allow you to play base sounds over top. Even stethoscopes with amplified sound are available to the medical profession and others.

Hearing Assist Product Manufacturers