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| There are many assistive
listening devices available today, from sophisticated
systems used in theaters and auditoriums to small
personal systems. |
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| Various kinds of
assistive listening devices are listed below: |
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| Personal Listening
Systems: There are several types of personal
listening systems available. All are designed to carry
sound from the speaker (or other source) directly to the
listener and to minimize or eliminate environmental
noises. Some of these systems, such as auditory
trainers, are designed for classroom or small group use.
Others, such as personal FM systems and personal
amplifiers, are especially helpful for one-to-one
conversations in places such as automobiles, meeting
rooms, and restaurants. |
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| TV Listening Systems:These
are designed for listening to TV, radio, or stereos
without interference from surrounding noise or the need
to use very high volume. Models are available for use
with or without hearing aids. TV listening systems allow
the family to set the volume of the TV, while the user
adjusts only the volume of his or her own listening
system. |
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| Direct Audio Input
Hearing Aids: These are hearing aids with direct
audio input connections (usually wires) which can be
connected to the TV, stereo, tape, and/or radio as well
as to microphones, auditory trainers, personal FM
systems and other assistive devices. |
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| Telephone Amplifying
Devices: Most, but not all, standard telephone
receivers are useful with hearing aids. These phones are
called " hearing aid compatible." The option on the
hearing aid is called the T-Coil. The T-coil is
automatically activated on some hearing aids and
manually activated on others. Basically, the telephone
and the hearing aid's T-coil communicate with each other
electromagnetically, allowing the hearing aid to be used
at a comfortable volume without feedback and with
minimal background noise. You should be able to get
hearing-aid-compatible phones from your telephone
company or almost any retail store that sells
telephones. Not all hearing aids have a "T" switch. Make
sure your hearing aids have a T switch before purchasing
a new hearing aid compatible phone! There are literally
dozens of T-coil and telephone coupling systems. Speak
with your audiologist to get the most appropriate system
for your needs. |
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| Cell Phones:Most
hearing aids can be used with most cell phones.
Importantly, digital hearing aids and digital phones may
create constant noise or distortion. There may be
significant problems for some hearing aids when used
with particular cell phones! The best person to address
this problem is your audiologist - speak with your
audiologist BEFORE you buy a cell phone or hearing
aids!!!! |
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| Regarding "hands free"
systems, there are many to choose from and hearing
impaired users usually benefit maximally by using
binaural hands free systems.
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