Assistive Listening Devices: More Than Just Hearing Aids
The phrase “assistive listening device” brings to mind just that: A portable personal amplifier or listening system that boosts sound, allowing you to hear things you may otherwise miss, including conversations and TV programs.
But assistive listening devices (ALDs) also include alerting systems that use flashing lights or vibrations to let you know when someone’s at the door or when it’s time to get out of bed.
These alerting systems are not only a boon to the life of the hearing impaired, but also great solutions for alerting anyone who lives or works in a noisy environment, such as nightclubs or warehouses.
Here are 3 examples of ALDs to enhance your life in & around the home or workplace.
1. Hear Them Knocking With a Door Alert
A knock at the door or a push of the doorbell is easy to miss. A variety of visual door alert systems can tell you when someone’s at the door, no matter where you are in the house.
The most basic door alert is a knock-sensitive LED flasher. Operation is as simple as hanging the flasher on the door. The vibration of the knock triggers a bright flash on the device itself (or on remote receivers) to grab your attention.
A variation on this device is a push button transmitter, which is identical to a doorbell except that it triggers receivers placed throughout the house to flash when visitors press the button.
2. Alarm Clocks & Bedshakers Lend a Helping Hand
Those of us (whether hearing impaired or not) who blissfully sleep through blaring alarm clocks not only suffer from chronic tardiness, but also neighbors & spouses with frayed tempers.
In situations when sound simply isn’t enough to get you out of bed, alarm clocks with bedshakers are a marriage-saving solution.
Bedshakers attach to specially designed clocks and slip under a pillow or mattress. When the alarm goes off, they produce a vibration to awaken you with gentle vibrations without disturbing others.
3. Wristwatches to Shake You Up
Like alarm clocks, many wristwatches feature alarms. And like alarm clocks, their signal is not always audible (or desirable).
Wristwatches with vibrating alarms are helpful for anyone who prefers a discrete and silent alert, such as travelers napping in train stations or workers in loud factories or nightclubs.
Global Assistive Devices offers a full line of vibrating wristwatches in a variety of styles.
Watches like the Global VIBRALite3 also feature an automatically reloading countdown timer which is great for reminding the wearer of medications or other timed activities.
More ALDs to Enhance Your Life
In addition to doorbells, alarm clocks, and vibrating wristwatches, AudioLinks offers a complete selection of ALDs of all kinds.
If you need help finding an assistive listening device to enhance life around the home, email us or call 407-757-3326!
