Assistive Hearing Technology for the San Francisco Peninsula
For those with hearing loss, hearing aids provide the best solution to not only hear better, but continue to enjoy an active and independent lifestyle.
However, there are situations and circumstances when hearing aids don’t provide enough help or the right kind of help.
Assistive Hearing
Some who aren’t quite ready for hearing aids for whatever reason can enjoy the assistance provided by assistive listening devices, while those who use hearing aids can benefit from the extra help they provide.
In addition to fitting you with hearing aids and providing ongoing support, Eartone Hearing Aid Center also makes assistive hearing technology available to help fill in some of the gaps in your ability to communicate in public and private settings whether you wear hearing aids or not.
There are two types of assistive hearing technology: assistive listening devices (ALD), which provide a personal connection to audio sources, and assistive listening systems (ALS ) that help individuals with hearing challenges in public places like theaters and lecture halls.
AI Hearing Aids
AI hearing aids use cutting edge technology to recognize the present listening environment - quiet, noise, wind, or music - and automatically adjust settings so sound feels clearer and more comfortable.
In busy places, they can prioritize speech and reduce background noise, helping voices stand out without you constantly changing programs.
Many also offer app controls and remote tuning, but features vary by model. Speak to us at Eartone Hearing Aids about which model may be best for your personal hearing care situation.
Assistive listening devices (ALDs) help amplify sounds, allowing you to hear more clearly in difficult listening environments or when using certain devices, like your television or telephone.
The purpose of an ALD is to improve what hearing specialists call the “speech to noise ratio,” but they also help separate the sounds you actually want to hear from background noise in order to help improve the listening experience for the hearing aid user.
Common ALD devices include:
Personal Listening Systems. PLS devices carry sound from the speaker (or other source) directly to the listener, minimizing or eliminating environmental noises. Some of these systems, like auditory trainers, are designed for classroom or small group use, while personal frequency modulated (FM) systems and personal amplifiers are used for one-to-one conversations in automobiles, meeting rooms, restaurants, etc.
TV Listening Systems. These help improve sound from your TV, radio, or stereo by eliminating interference from surrounding noise or the need to use excessively high volume. They can be used with or without hearing aids, allowing your family to set the volume of the TV at a comfortable listening level, while you adjust the volume of your device to meet your needs.
Telephone Amplifying Devices. These devices allow a standard telephone receiver to be used with hearing aids thanks to a T-Coil, which can be manually or automatically activated, allowing the hearing aid wearer to use the telephone at a comfortable volume without feedback and with minimal background noise.
Cell Phone Assistance. Digital hearing aids and some digital phones may create constant noise or distortion. However, most modern hearing aids are being manufactured with cell phone connectivity options that allow you to pair your cell phone to your hearing aids using BlueTooth technology, providing not only a “hands free” experience, but greater binaural (both ears) hearing clarity.
How Do I Know If I Need an ALD?
The ideal candidate for an ALD may experience the following difficulties:
Straining to hear conversations.
Frustration or fatigue after engaging in conversation.
Unable to hear the television and radio as a comfortable volume to those around them.
Loved ones and friends are mumbling.
The need to ask others to repeat themselves.
Responding to others at a louder volume or shouting during normal conversation.
Hear better with one ear than the other one.
Words are jumbled together during conversation.
Many of the above issues are also early warning signs of hearing loss. Before choosing an ALD system, consider a comprehensive hearing assessment from one of Eartone Hearing Aid Center’s providers, who are able to provide a wide range of better hearing solutions.
