Hearing Loss

Lesson 3: Assistive Devices

Amplifiers, Ring Indicators and Alerting Devices

There are many amplifiers and visual ring indicators you can use with your existing phone. Some of them are very small and strap to the receiver, while others plug in between the line and the phone. The amplifiers increase the volume on the phone so you can hear better when you’re talking. Some of them even have a tone control to boost the clarity. The visual ring indicators commonly have strobe flashers to catch your attention visually when the phone rings.

Amplifiers

Some telephones have built in amplifiers like the Walker Clarity phone. The Clarity phone also has a clarity control, but is meant for less severe hearing loss. Your hearing aid practitioner can tell you if it’s the right device for you.

AT&T also has an amplifier, but it’s a strap on. It fits on the receiver of your phone and is also powered by batteries. The amplifier doesn’t seem to have as much power as the Ameriphone, but it’s very handy to have around.

As you can see from the picture, the strap tends to wear out easily, so be prepared to replace it periodically. Believe it or not, I’ve found that thick rubber bands work just as well as the strap.

Visual Ring Indicators

There are ring indicators on the market that will flash to let you know the phone is ringing. There’s a white strobe light built in that flashes when the phone is ringing. The drawback to that, is you have to be in the same room while it’s flashing.

Two that I use are TEC and the Fone Flasher 2 from Radio Shack. The TEC plugs into the phone line and is powered by the phone. The Fone Flasher 2 must also be plugged into an electric outlet.

Some devices can make your lamps flash or have a simple strobe that plugs into an outlet where a lamp isn’t practical. There are several alerting systems you can use to make you aware of sounds you can no longer hear. One system that I’ve used is Silent Call. You can see their products at: http://www.silent-call.com/ and you can also see what Ameriphone has to offer at http://www.ameriphone.com/

Other

There are many other devices available to help us throughout the day and night. There are alarm clocks with vibrating motors to wake us, there are smoke detectors that attach to systems like Silent Call, vibrating watches, baby monitors, and more. Make it a priority to find out what will work for you. Life will be much easier if you use the right equipment.

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