Introduction

For most people with hearing loss who use hearing aids or cochlear implants, there is tremendous benefit. Often, however, certain conditions in our listening circumstances create difficulties that even very excellent hearing aids cannot adequately address. Such conditions might include background noise, the absence of visual cues, and distance between you, the listener, and the sound signal that you are trying to listen to and understand.  Additional devices known as Assistive Listening Devices (sometimes referred to as Hearing Assistive Technologies) have been found to be extremely beneficial tools for the person with hearing loss.

The Basics

The principle underlying the way that ALDs work lies in the concept of distance between the source of the sound signal and the listener with hearing loss. An ALD shortens the distance between the sound signal and the listener by delivering the signal directly to the listener. This elimination of distance has the effect of greatly reducing the problems that can be caused when sound travels through a distance, such as:

• weakening of sound energy, especially for high pitched consonants
• distortion, which inevitably happens, especially in spaces with lots of hard surfaces and high ceilings, when sound waves bounce off surfaces and continue over time
• distortion which inevitably happens when the environment includes unwanted noise

The shortened distance between the listener and the sound source, made possible by ALDs,  is achieved either through the placement of a microphone (transmitter) near the source of the desired sound signal, (e.g., the mouth of the speaker) or through direct electrical connection to the audio output component of your television, radio, etc. That signal is directly delivered to your hearing aids, cochlear implant, or earphones.

Support

Through the Hearing Assistive Technologies (HAT)  Program and in partnership with Gallaudet University, Hearing Loss Association of America makes available to its members training in the selection and use of assistive listening devices   Currently, HLAA Boston Chapter members Carol Agate and Barbara Johnson have  trained with the HAT Program and work with our members in learning about and adopting these important tools for successful communication.

If you would like help with adopting assistive technologies or would simply like to learn more about them, please contact us via our Contact HLAA Boston page and type “ALD Help” in the subject line.

Hearing Loops: Readings and Resources

• Sound Strategies
• HearingLoop.org
  
• Let’s Loop America’s Worship Centers, by David Myers
• How Hearing Loops Can Help, by Stefanie Weiss – Washington Post (April, 2009) 
• Why Loops Are the Preferred Listening System
• Telecoils and Loops  (An excellent blog post from Widex, Inc.)

Finding Assistive Listening Devices in Public Places

Visit www.aldlocator.com.

Bluetooth Readings

Hearing Health and Technology – Wayne’s World: Bluetooth 101

• Part I
• Part II
• Part III

Buying New Hearing Aids?

Let’s Loop Seattle: Buying New Hearing Aids? What to look for