At The Hearing Professionals, we understand that hearing loss and communication disorders can be challenging. That's why we offer a range of assistive listening devices to make your listening experience easier and more enjoyable.
Assistive listening devices help people with hearing loss or communication disorders hear and express themselves more clearly. With digital and wireless technology advancements, many devices are now available to help individuals communicate better and participate fully in their daily lives.
We offer a range of devices, such as:
These devices make sounds more accessible, especially in situations with background noise, distance, or special circumstances where hearing aids may not be enough.
If you're struggling with hearing loss or a communication disorder, we're here to help. Let us assist you in finding the right assistive listening devices to aid your hearing.
There are three main types of assistive listening devices, and they serve very specific needs.
Assistive listening devices, or ALDs, are designed to amplify sounds and reduce background noise, making it easier for individuals with hearing loss to hear what they want to hear.
ALDs can be used with or without a hearing aid or cochlear implant and are capable of honing in on specific sounds while blocking out unwanted background noise.
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices are designed to help people with communication disorders express themselves.
These devices can synthesize speech from text using a simple picture board or a computer program. AAC devices can be used by people with conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism, or aphasia.
Alerting devices, on the other hand, are devices that emit loud sounds or blinking lights to get someone’s attention. They are particularly useful for people with hearing impairment or those who are deaf.
Alerting devices can be connected to doorbells, telephones, or alarms, making it easy for the wearer to know when someone is at the door, when the phone is ringing, or when there is an emergency.
Overall, assistive listening devices, augmentative and alternative communication devices, and alerting devices are all designed to help people with different types of disabilities.
These devices can improve the quality of life for those who use them by providing them with greater independence, safety, and communication ability.
ALDs are available in different types for various settings but are designed to improve sound transmission for individuals with hearing loss.
Larger facilities, such as theaters, churches, classrooms, and airports, use hearing loop systems, FM systems, and infrared systems.
A hearing loop system is an assistive listening system that sends sound directly to a hearing aid via an electromagnetic field, providing clear sound without background noise or interference for those with hearing loss who use hearing aids.
It uses a microphone, amplifier, and loop cable to transmit the signal and is becoming the preferred assistive listening system. This is especially true for people with telecoil-enabled hearing aids and cochlear implants due to multiple factors, such as:
ALD FM systems are assistive listening devices that use FM radio signals to transmit sound from a microphone to a receiver. The receiver can be a hearing aid, a cochlear implant processor, or a pair of headphones.
It helps to improve the signal-to-noise ratio and reduce background noise during communication in group settings. FM systems are suitable for people with all degrees of hearing loss. They can be used in various situations, from small meetings to large conferences, with different types of microphones to accommodate the user's specific needs.
ALD Infrared Systems use infrared light waves to transmit electrical signals to receivers that convert the signals back into electrical energy and then sound.
Infrared systems are ideal for settings where privacy is important because infrared light cannot pass through walls. Infrared systems work similarly to TV remote controls, with a transmitter sending speech or music from a public address or sound system to an infrared receiver.
For more personal settings, there are ALDs for one-on-one conversations. ALDs can be used with or without a hearing aid or cochlear implant, making them versatile for anyone with hearing difficulties.
Some types of ALDs that can be used in a personal setting include personal listening systems, TV listening systems, direct audio input hearing aids, telephone amplifying devices, cell phones, and wearable tactile devices.
Assisted listening devices can provide many benefits for people with hearing loss. They can:
In addition, using assisted listening devices can help prevent further hearing loss by reducing the need to strain to hear.
If you are interested in learning about how to use assistive listening devices and the types of ALDs you can purchase and use at home, reach out to our team at The Hearing Professionals.
Ken Pruyn is a Licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist with over 14 years of experience. He is passionate about helping you hear clearly. Ken prides himself on taking the time to find the hearing solution that works best for you.
If you need OTC hearing aids, Ken can help you find a hearing solution that works for you.
You can request an appointment online or call us at (508) 794-3620 to arrange an in-office appointment at any of our eight Massachusetts offices: Framingham, Marlborough, Concord, Waltham, Newton, Dedham, Quincy, and Hingham.
