Assistive Listening Devices
Hearing aids are excellent for amplifying speech sounds. While hearing aids offer features that help reduce background noise, there are instances where it could be challenging to follow conversations in specific environments for individuals with hearing loss.
The most challenging situations for listening with hearing aids include:
Hearing a speaker from afar.
Over distance, sound fades. The further the sound source is removed, the more difficult it is to hear and understand what is being said.
Tackling noisy backgrounds.
Although hearing aids have come a long way in this regard, you might still need help discerning speech when others are talking or when you are dealing with the noise from ventilation systems, shuffling papers, TVs, traffic, etc.
Poor acoustics
Sound waves bounce off hard surfaces, which causes reverberation and distortion. Places with notoriously poor acoustics include wide, open spaces or sparsely furnished rooms.
Turning up the volume in these circumstances means turning up ALL the volume, including the background noise you are trying to stop. This not only increases the risk of hearing damage; it doesn't help you hear what you need to hear.
This is where Assistive listening devices (ALDs) can help you.
Assistive listening devices (or systems) help people with hearing loss hear better through sound amplification and noise filtration. This enables people with hearing loss to listen to the louder volumes they need without disturbing others around them.
They differ in several ways:
- They minimize background noise by improving the ratio of signal to noise.
- They counteract bad acoustics such as echo in a room.
- They reduce the distance between the sound source and the user.
All ALS systems work in the same way. They create an electronic connection between the listener and the audio source. A transmitter that encodes the sounds and sends them to receivers is connected to the sound source. In this way, individuals can move around as they like and not be tethered to the audio source.
Types of Assistive Listening devices
Prioritize Your Hearing Health!
Prioritizing your hearing health can change your life. Treating hearing loss drastically enhances hearing and communication which has far-reaching effects on all aspects of life. Strengthened communication offers countless benefits including: improves relationships, enriches social life, boosts confidence, and fully supports people navigating daily life independently. This is great for overall health, longevity, and quality of life!
The first step is simple. Contact us today to schedule a consultation appointment! Your consultation will include a hearing exam that establishes your hearing needs. We are here to guide you through the process of tending to your hearing health.
