Assistive Listening Devices

Purpose built tools beyond hearing aids

Overview

Assistive listening devices are tools other than hearing aids that help people with hearing loss in specific situations. Alerting devices convert sounds into light or vibration, including bed shaker alarm clocks, strobe and vibrating smoke alarms, flashing doorbell and phone signallers, and vibrating watches; visual and tactile smoke alarms are important because standard alarms may not wake people with significant hearing loss. Personal amplifiers and TV listening systems deliver sound directly to headphones. Amplified and captioned telephones support phone use. Remote microphones, FM and digital radio systems, infrared systems in theatres, and hearing loops transmit sound directly to the listener or to hearing aid telecoils, improving the signal to noise ratio. Many devices are relatively inexpensive, and in some countries they are provided through disability programs or required in public venues by accessibility law.