What is a cyborg? If your mind gets swept up in science fiction movies, you probably think of cyborgs as kind of half-human, half machine characters (the human condition is often cleverly portrayed with these characters). You can get some truly fantastic cyborgs in Hollywood.
But actually, someone wearing something as simple as a pair of glasses could be viewed as a cyborg. After all, biology has been enhanced with technology.
These technologies usually enhance the human condition. Which means, if you’re wearing an assistive listening device, such as a hearing aid, you’re the coolest type of cyborg anywhere. And there’s much more technology where that comes from.
Hearing loss drawbacks
There are absolutely some disadvantages that come with hearing loss.
When you go to see a movie, it can be hard to keep up with the plot. It’s even more challenging to understand what your grandkids are talking about (part of this is because you have no clue what K-pop is, and you never will, but mostly it’s because of hearing loss). And this can impact your life in extremely profound (often negative) ways.
The world can become really quiet if your hearing loss is disregarded. This is where technology comes in.
How can technology alleviate hearing loss?
Broadly speaking, technology that helps you have better hearing is lumped into the category of “assistive listening devices”. Ok, it does sound somewhat technical! The question may arise: exactly what are assistive listening devices? Where can I get assistive listening devices? Are there challenges to utilizing assistive listening devices?
These questions are all standard.
Mostly, we’re accustomed to regarding technology for hearing loss in a rather monolithic way: hearing aids. That’s logical, as hearing aids are a vital part of managing hearing loss. But they’re also just the start, there are many kinds of assistive hearing devices. And you will be capable of enjoying the world around you more when you properly use these devices.
What are the different types of assistive listening devices?
Induction loops
Induction loops, also known as hearing loops, use technology that sounds quite complex. This is what you need to know: locations with hearing loops are typically well marked with signage and they can help people with hearing aids hear more clearly, even in noisy settings.
A speaker will sound more clear due to the magnetic fields in a hearing loop. Induction loops are good for:
- Locations with inferior acoustic qualities like echoes.
- Events that depend on amplified sound (like presentations or even movies).
- Venues that tend to be noisy (such as waiting rooms or hotel lobbies).
FM systems
These FM systems are similar to a walkie-talkie or radio. A transmitter, typically a speaker or microphone, and a receiver, like a hearing aid, are needed for this kind of system to work. Here are a few scenarios where an FM system will be useful:
- Anybody who wants to listen to amplified sound systems (this includes things like a speaker during a presentation or dialogue during a movie).
- Conferences, classrooms, and other educational events.
- Civil and governmental locations (for example, in courtrooms).
- Anyplace that is loud and noisy, especially where that noise makes it difficult to hear.
Infrared systems
There are similarities between an infrared system and an FM system. There’s an amplifier and a receiver. Typically, the receiver is worn around the neck with an IR system. Here are some instances where IR systems can be useful:
- Individuals who use cochlear implants or hearing aids.
- Inside environments. IR systems are frequently impacted by strong sunlight. So this kind of technology works best in inside spaces.
- When you’re listening to one main person speaking.
Personal amplifiers
Personal amplifiers are sort of like hearing aids, but less specialized and less powerful. Generally, they feature a microphone and a speaker. The microphone picks up sounds and amplifies them through a speaker. Personal amplifiers might seem like a tricky option since they come in numerous styles and types.
- For best outcomes, speak with us before using personal amplifiers of any type.
- For people who only require amplification in specific circumstances or have very minor hearing loss, these devices would be a practical choice.
- Your basically putting a very loud speaker right inside of your ear so you need to be cautious not to damage your hearing further.
Amplified phones
Hearing aids and phones sometimes have difficulty with one another. Sometimes you have feedback, sometimes things become a bit garbled, sometimes you can’t have a hard time getting the volume quite right.
Amplified phones are a solution. Depending on the situation, these phones let you control the volume of the speaker. Here are some things that these devices are good for:
- People who don’t use Bluetooth enabled devices, like their phone or their hearing aid.
- Families where the phone is used by several people.
- When someone has trouble hearing phone conversations but hears fine in other circumstances.
Alerting devices
Often called signalers or notification devices, alerting devices use lights, vibration, or occasionally loud noises to get your attention when something occurs. For example, when the doorbell dings, the phone rings, or the microwave bings. This means even if you aren’t wearing your hearing aids, you’ll still be alert when something around your home or office requires your attention.
Alerting devices are a good solution for:
- Situations where lack of attention could be hazardous (for example, when a smoke alarm sounds).
- Anyone whose hearing is completely or almost completely gone.
- When in the office or at home.
- When you take breaks from your hearing aids.
Telecoils
So the connection (sometimes discouraging) between your hearing aid and phone becomes evident. When you hold a speaker up to another speaker, it causes feedback (sometimes painful feedback). This is basically what occurs when you hold a phone speaker up to a hearing aid.
A telecoil is a way to bypass that connection. You will be capable of hearing all of your calls without feedback as your telecoil links your hearing aid directly to your phone. They’re great for:
- Anyone who isn’t connected to Bluetooth in any way.
- People who have hearing aids.
- Anybody who regularly talks on the phone.
Captioning
Closed captions (and subtitles more broadly) have become a normal way for people to enjoy media nowadays. You will find captions pretty much everywhere! Why? Because they make what you’re watching a little easier to understand.
For individuals who have hearing loss, captions will help them be able to comprehend what they’re watching even with noisy conversations around them and can work in tandem with their hearing aids so they can hear dialog even if it’s mumbled.
The advantages of using assistive listening devices
So, now your greatest question might be: where can I buy assistive listening devices? That’s a good question because it means you’ve recognized how all of these technologies can be advantageous to those who have hearing loss.
Obviously, every individual won’t get the benefit of every kind of technology. For instance, you may not need an amplifier if you have a phone with reliable volume control. If you don’t have the right type of hearing aid, a telecoil might be useless to you.
The point is that you have options. You can personalize the type of amazing cyborg you want to be (and you will be amazing, we promise)–so that you can get the most out of life. It’s time to get back into that conversation with your grandkids.
Hearing Assistive Technology can help you hear better in specific situations but not all. Call us right away so we can help you hear better!
