Assistive Listening Devices

What Are Assistive Listening Devices?

Assistive Listening Devices, also called ALDs, are designed to enhance a person’s ability to hear or alert to sounds in everyday situations.  They can make a huge difference in the day to day life of a hearing impaired person.  Assistive Listening Devices include amplified telephones, TV listening systems, alarm clocks, doorbells, amplified stethoscopes, and smoke detectors.  Some can be used by themselves and others can be used in conjunction with hearing aids.

Advancements in technology over the past few decades have helped engineers design Assistive Listening Devices that are much more flexible, easy to use, and effective in enhancing desired sounds in specific listening situations.   They work by boosting and delivering a specific signal (such as the television, computer, phone, music player, or a specific person you want to hear), effectively cutting through distance and noise to bring higher quality sound right to your ears.  Some devices even come with flashing lights to alert the user to doorbell, telephone or smoke detector signals.

What’s new in ALDs?

Many Assistive Listening Systems available today allow hearing aids with BlueTooth® technology to easily connect to your smartphone, MP3 player, TV, computer, car and personal miniature microphones that can greatly enhance your ability to hear in meetings, conferences, or noisy environments.  You can enjoy music wirelessly through your hearing aids from your MP3 player.  You can clearly hear the TV while the volume is at a comfortable level for others in the room. Better yet, you won’t need hours or a tech savvy family member to make a system like this work; the technology is now easy, flexible and discreet.

You have more ways to bring the world of sound into better focus!

Those dealing with hearing loss should know they have many options available to help bring the world of sound into better focus. We recommend that you consult your Doctor of Audiology at Hearing and Balance Institute of the Rockies, Inc. to discuss these wonderful options.  A consultation can help determine what systems are compatible with your hearing aids, what devices can be used without a hearing aid, and how best to meet your listening needs in the wide variety of situations your lifestyle demands.