Liz Kobylak and Ann Liming Promoting Safety And Independence Through The Use Of Hearing Assistive Technology (HAT) Liz Kobylak and Ann Liming

Introductions Hearing Loss Association of America, Michigan State Association Hearing Technologist Resource Specialists: Ann Liming Liz Kobylak

Overview of the problem Hearing aids and cochlear implants are often not enough to help people with hearing loss to function independently and with confidence in all aspects of daily life. Therefore, any hearing assistive device that fosters communication and independence will lead to a more successful and productive quality of life.

Three categories of HAT Alerting Alarm and signaling devices Listening Personal amplifiers, FM Systems, Bluetooth devices Microphones and coupling devices TV listening devices Telecommunication Telephones Telephone amplifiers

Disclaimers We do not promote specific manufacturers or products. Some examples are mentioned for informational purposes only.

Alerting Devices Clocks - Provide independence for individuals with hearing loss and reduce stress Adjustable volume and/or tone controls Utilize other senses through vibration and/or flashing lights Operate on electricity with battery back up Battery operated portable models available

Clock Examples iLuv wireless shaker SB-1000 Ditto SB-P100

Alerting Devices Smoke/CO detectors – Provide safety and peace of mind for persons with hearing loss Increased volume, lower frequency Utilize other senses through vibration and/or flashing lights Systems can be customized to specific needs through the use of transmitters and receivers One bedside option is compatible with existing smoke detectors that emit a T3 signal.

Smoke Detector Examples Sidekick II Lifetone

Alerting Devices Alerting Systems – Provide alerts of daily home activities for people with hearing loss Multi-purpose systems utilize loud sound, vibration and flashing lights Transmitters and receivers can be customized based on individual needs and abilities Single function devices can offer solutions to specific needs: lamp flashes when phone rings; door knock/chime alerts; motion detector; personal pager; baby cry

Alerting Systems Example Central Alert Notification System Wearable personal and vibrating remote receivers available Operating range 200 feet Bright icons let you know which alarms have gone off Dual bed shaker output jacks Two phone jacks for separate telephones/fax/video phone

Alerting Systems Example Personal Pager Allows the user to summon help with the press of a button. The receiver can immediately confirm back that a page has been received by pressing the button. Has three unique alert modes: Bright flasher, adjustable ringtone, and strong vibration. 150 foot range transmits alerts to any location in the house.

Listening Devices Personal Assistive Listening Devices – Provide enhanced sound in a variety of difficult listening environments Amplifiers – amplify sound close to listener while reducing background noise. Useful in small groups, one-on-one conversations, car and with TV FM systems – enhance sound in larger environments while also providing wireless one-on- one communication features

Needed: T-coils, please! Telecoils – Improve quality of life for hearing aid users by extending the functionality of hearing aids and cochlear implants. Cochlear implants (100%) utilize t-coils to maximize effectiveness of this technology to benefit patients. The same can be accomplished for hearing aid users with proper education of patients about the benefits of t-coil technology so that t-coils are standard for all hearing aids, whether they are activated or not.

Public Access With T-coils Many public places are equipped with HAT T-coils cross “brand compatibility barriers” With T-coil, a hearing aid wearer can utilize public ADA accommodations provided through the following: electromagnetic hearing loop FM system

T-coils Improve Hearing Computers Audio devices Telephones

Personal Amplifier Examples Pocketalkers – Pro & Ultra: One-to-one conversations, Indoor/outdoor activities, TV or radio listening, Restaurants or small groups, Listening in a car All have tone control Pocketalker Pro Pocketalker Ultra

Personal Amplifier Examples Pocketalker 2.0 Comfort Duett

Personal FM System: Example Comfort Contego Sound is picked up by the transmitter and sent to the receiver for improved hearing. Receiver may be used alone as a personal listener. Both the transmitter and receiver microphones operate in omni- directional or directional mode. Transmission is a digital, coded radio signal.

Personal FM System: Example Comfort Contego, Cont. Transmitter and receiver are paired, making the signal secure and almost impossible to intercept. The receiver controls the volume of both the transmitter and receiver microphones. An unlimited number of receivers can be paired with one transmitter Distance for signal to be transmitted is 75 feet Cannot pair with other FM systems that use other radio frequencies

Personal FM System: Example Features 17 selectable channels on the 72-76 MHz band Operating range of up to 150 feet Auxiliary Input – broadcast from any audio source with a 3.5mm audio output jack. Charger - a two slot, drop-in charger and rechargeable batteries are included Up to 20 hours battery life per charge, recharges in 14-16 hours.

Boosting Performance of ALD’s Couplers and Microphones – Provide a variety of options for specified listening solutions

Couplers

Microphones Impacts the functioning of a listening device Extends the range a microphone can reach Can be omnidirectional and directional

Listening Devices TV Listening Devices – Provide people with hearing loss access to information and entertainment of broadcasts Wireless TV Speaker systems Bluetooth Infrared (IR) or radio frequency (RF) TV Listener Induction loop

TV Speaker System TV Sound Box Volume control works independently of the TV speaker Can be used with a headphone jack Totally wireless, can be taken to another room Charge speaker on transmitter base Up to 50 speakers can be used with the transmitter base

TV Speaker System Sound of Light Wireless Lamp Speaker Screw the speaker(s) into any existing light socket and the speakers disappear into the lamp shade Lighting, volume and power functions are all controlled via remote Transmits up to a 200 foot range Works seamlessly with iPod’s, MP3 players, TV’s, computers, home stereos and more Works with Incandescent, CFL and LED bulbs

TV Listening Device Q-Link-TV Allows user to link a variety of audio devices with a Bluetooth receiver. Automatically reconnects to the last device used Pairs to a Bluetooth receiver for direct sound Up to 33 feet working distance Charging time is 2-3 hours, with full functionality while charging

IR or RF TV Listener Infrared (IR) listening systems Transmit sound by invisible light beams The infrared signal is limited to line of sight transmission, so there is no spill over from room to room Not suitable for outdoor use because sunlight and bright incandescent light can be a cause of interference. TVs.

RF TV Listener RF Systems General Information for both Uses a radio frequency transmission Able to penetrate walls allowing the receivers to be moved from room to room without loss of signal Range up to 100 m, transmits through walls General Information for both Can be connected directly to your TV, or other sound sources Maximum gain is approximately 125 dB.

TV Listening With Loops

Telecommunication Devices Landline phones – Offer persons with hearing loss a variety of options for daily communication which leads to independence Some available features: adjustable volume controls, visual alert, answering machine, speaker phone, Bluetooth connectivity, audio jack, caller ID, memory dial Needs of individual users determine the “best” phone: Degree of amplification needed; corded or cordless; manual dexterity; vision loss or other factors

Landline Phone Examples Amplified Cordless Amplified Corded Bluetooth Amplified Corded

Telecommunication Devices Captioned Phones – Help people with hearing loss by providing amplification as well as displaying test of the conversation No charge for phone or service Verification of hearing loss from provider is needed Variety of models for consumer to choose Utilize voice to text technology

Captioned Phone Examples Captel CaptionCall Clarity Ensemble

Resources HLAA-MI: www.hearingloss-mi.org HLAA: www.hearingloss.org HTRS: htrs@hearingloss-mi.org Liz Kobylak: ekobylak@comcast.net Ann Liming: AL3641@aol.com List of HAT vendors is available on HLAA-MI website under RESOURCES (click Resource Documents) or go to: http://www.hearingloss-mi.org/wp- content/uploads/2015/04/VendorMfgList_2015Feb-_1_.pdf