Are you familiar with what a cyborg is? If you get swept up in science fiction movies, you most likely think of cyborgs as kind of half-human, half machine characters (these characters are usually cleverly utilized to touch on the human condition). You can get some really wild cyborgs in Hollywood.
But the truth is that, technically, anybody who wears a pair of glasses could be considered a cyborg. After all, biology has been upgraded with technology.
The human condition is usually enhanced with these technologies. Which means, if you’re using an assistive listening device, such as a hearing aid, you’re the coolest type of cyborg anywhere. And there’s much more technology where that comes from.
Hearing loss disadvantages
Hearing loss certainly comes with some negatives.
When you go to see a movie, it can be difficult to keep up with the plot. It’s even harder to make out what your grandkids are talking about (part of this is because you have no clue what K-pop is, and you never will, but mostly it’s the result of hearing loss). And this can affect your life in very profound (often negative) ways.
The world can become very quiet if your hearing loss is disregarded. That’s where technology has a role to play.
How can technology alleviate hearing loss?
“Assistive listening device” is the broad category that any device which helps you hear better is put into. That sounds pretty technical, right? The question might arise: exactly what are assistive listening devices? Is there someplace I can go and buy one of these devices? Are there challenges to using assistive listening devices?
Those are all reasonable questions!
Mostly, we’re accustomed to regarding technology for hearing loss in a rather monolithic way: hearing aids. Because hearing aids are a crucial part of treating hearing loss, that’s reasonable. But they’re also just the beginning, there are numerous kinds of assistive hearing devices. And you will be capable of enjoying the world around you more when you correctly use these devices.
What kinds of assistive listening devices are there?
Induction loops
Often called a “hearing loop,” the technology of an induction loop sounds pretty complicated (there are electromagnetic fields involved). Here are the basics: individuals with hearing aids can hear more clearly in places with a hearing loop which are typically well marked with signage.
Basically, hearing loops use magnetic fields to make a speaker’s voice more clear. Induction loops are great for:
- Events that rely on amplified sound (like presentations or even movies).
- Venues that tend to be loud (including waiting rooms or hotel lobbies).
- Locations with bad acoustic qualities like echoes.
FM systems
An FM hearing assistance system works much like a radio or a walkie-talkie. In order for this system to function, you need two elements: a transmitter (usually a microphone or sound system) and a receiver (usually in the form of a hearing aid). Here are some situations where an FM system will be useful:
- Civil and governmental environments (for example, in courtrooms).
- Education environments, like classrooms or conferences.
- Anyplace that is loud and noisy, particularly where that noise makes it challenging to hear.
- An occasion where amplified sound is used, including music from a speaker or sound at a movie.
Infrared systems
An infrared system is similar to an FM system. It consists of a receiver and an amplifier. With an IR system, the receiver is usually worn around your neck (sort of like a lanyard). Here are some examples where IR systems can be helpful:
- Situations where there is one primary speaker at a time.
- Individuals who wear hearing aids or cochlear implants.
- Indoor settings. IR systems are frequently impacted by strong sunlight. Consequently, inside settings are usually the best ones for this type of technology.
Personal amplifiers
Personal amplifiers are sort of like hearing aids, but less specialized and less powerful. They’re generally made of a microphone and a speaker. The microphone picks up sounds and amplifies them through a speaker. Personal amplifiers may seem like a confusing option since they come in several styles and types.
- For people who only need amplification in certain circumstances or have very mild hearing loss, these devices would be a good choice.
- You need to be careful, though, these devices can hasten the decline of your hearing, particularly if you aren’t careful. (You’re essentially putting an extremely loud speaker right inside of your ear, after all.)
- For best outcomes, talk to us before using personal amplifiers of any type.
Amplified phones
Hearing aids and phones often have trouble with one another. Sometimes there’s feedback, sometimes things get a little garbled, sometimes you can’t have a hard time getting the volume quite right.
One solution for this is an amplified phone. These devices give you control over the volume of the phone’s speaker, so you can make it as loud or quiet as you want, depending on the circumstance. These devices are good for:
- When multiple people in a home use a single phone.
- Individuals who don’t use Bluetooth enabled devices, like their phone or their hearing aid.
- Individuals who only have a hard time understanding or hearing conversations on the phone.
Alerting devices
When something is going on, these devices (sometimes called signalers or notification devices) use loud noises, vibrations, and flashing lights to get your attention. For example, when the doorbell dings, the phone rings, or the microwave bings. This means even if you aren’t using your hearing aids, you’ll still be alert when something around your home or office requires your consideration.
Alerting devices are an excellent solution for:
- Anyone whose hearing is totally or nearly totally gone.
- When you take breaks from your hearing aids.
- When alarm sounds like a smoke detector could create a hazardous situation.
- Home and office spaces.
Telecoils
So the link (sometimes discouraging) between your hearing aid and phone comes to the front. The feedback that occurs when two speakers are held in front of each other is not pleasant. When you hold a hearing aid next to a phone, the same thing occurs.
That connection can be avoided by a telecoil. It will link up your hearing aid to your phone directly, so you can listen to all of your conversations without interference or feedback. They’re good for:
- Individuals who do not have access to Bluetooth hearing aids or phones.
- Anyone who uses hearing aids.
- Anyone who frequently talks on the phone.
Captioning
Closed captions (and subtitles more generally) have become a normal way for people to enjoy media today. You will find captions pretty much everywhere! Why? Because they make what you’re watching a bit easier to understand.
For people who have hearing loss, captions will help them be able to understand what they’re watching even with loud conversations around them and can work in tandem with their hearing aids so they can hear dialog even when it’s mumbled.
What are the benefits of using assistive listening devices?
So where can you buy assistive listening devices? This question implies a recognition of the advantages of these technologies for individuals who use hearing aids.
To be sure, not every strategy is right for every individual. If you have a cell phone with easy-to-use volume control, you might not require an amplifying phone, for instance. If you don’t have the right type of hearing aid, a telecoil may be useless to you.
But you have options and that’s really the point. You can personalize the type of amazing cyborg you want to be (and you will be amazing, we promise)–so that you can get the most out of life. So you can more easily understand the dialogue at the movies or the conversation with your grandchildren.
Some situations will call for assistive listening technology and some won’t. If you want to hear better, call us today!
