Non-hearing aid devices used by a hearing impaired individual to improve communication and the performance of activities in specific environments. ALDs include devices such as infrared and FM personal amplifiers, alerting devices and closed captioning equipment.
What are Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs)?
An assistive listening device (ALD) is a device that helps people with hearing loss to hear better. ALDs can be used in a variety of settings, including homes, schools, workplaces, and public places.
What are the four major types of assistive listening devices?
There are four major types of ALDs:
- Personal amplifiers are small, portable devices that amplify sound. They can be worn around the neck or over the shoulder, and they typically have a microphone that can be placed near the sound source.
- Infrared systems use a beam of light to transmit sound from a transmitter to a receiver. The receiver is worn by the person with hearing loss, and it converts the light signal back into sound.
- FM systems use radio waves to transmit sound from a transmitter to a receiver. The receiver is worn by the person with hearing loss, and it converts the radio signal back into sound.
- Closed captioning is a text-based transcription of spoken audio. It is typically displayed on a television screen or computer monitor.
What are the hearing devices for deaf people?
There are a number of hearing devices that can be used by deaf people. These include:
- Hearing aids are small, electronic devices that amplify sound. They can be worn in or behind the ear, and they typically have a microphone, amplifier, and speaker.
- Cochlear implants are surgically implanted devices that bypass the damaged hair cells in the inner ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve.
- Bone conduction hearing aids transmit sound through the bones of the skull. They are typically used by people who have conductive hearing loss or who cannot wear traditional hearing aids.
What is the benefit of assistive listening devices?
ALDs can provide a number of benefits for people with hearing loss, including:
- Improved ability to hear in noisy environments
- Increased participation in social activities
- Improved academic performance
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Increased safety
If you are experiencing hearing loss, it is important to talk to an audiologist about whether ALDs may be right for you. An audiologist can help you choose the right ALD for your needs and can provide training on how to use it.