Assistive listening devices
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Assistive listening devices can be used with or instead of hearing devices. They can assist when watching television alone or with members of the family, communicating over the phone or going to public venues such as churches and theatres.
Telephone
- Telephone devices amplify the ring of the telephone and have a volume control to increase the loudness of the incoming voice.
- Induction loops minimise background noise and improve the clarity of incoming voice. Induction loops are used with telecoils or the T switch on hearing aids. Many public telephones have an in-built induction loop
- Induction loops TTY (teletypewriters) are text-based devices enabling people with a severe or profound hearing loss to communicate via the telephone line.
Television
- Earphones/headphones plug directly into TVs with an earphone socket and make it easier when watching TV alone.
- Television amplifiers can be used with or without hearing aids and do not require an earphone socket. They do not affect the volume of the TV when others are watching. A small microphone is attached to the TV speaker using velcro and is connected by a wire to a set of earphones or to a neckloop that transmits the signal to your hearing aid.
- Induction loops for hearing aid wearers eliminate background noise and improve the clarity of sound. Neckloop devices are used in conjunction with the telecoil on hearing aids and transmit sound from the TV to the induction coil in the hearing aid.
- Infrared systems, with no cords to trip on, transmit invisible light to a receiver worn around the neck. The system can be connected to headphones or to an induction loop for use both with or without a hearing aid. An infrared system can be coupled to a TV, radio and stereo simultaneously. The listener can move from one to the other without having to reconnect. An infrared system can have an alerting facility to let the listener know if the phone or the door bell rings.
- Teletext decoders are built into TVs and video cassette recorders.
Music and other entertainment
- Induction Loops can also be used to listen to personal stereos, iPods or MP3 players, computer sound systems and gaming consoles such as the XBox or Sony Playstation.
Alert systems
- For the door - a remote control flashing signaller indicates that there is someone at the door.
- For the phone - a teleflash with a high intensity warning light and an extra loud sounder for the phone warns you about incoming calls.
- Vibrating devices are commonly used to wake people in the morning.
- Safety - a remote control flashing signaller indicates that there is smoke in the house.
Public venues
- Induction loop systems are used in public venues, such as theatres, community halls or churches, and work in conjunction with the telecoil on your hearing aid.
Pensioners and veterans can purchase ALDs from Australian Hearing. Contact your local hearing centre to discuss your options with one of our friendly staff. Those not eligible for Government Hearing Services are able to purchase ALDs through the following providers.
Cochlear implant users are referred to the Cochlear website for further information.
Pensioners and veterans can purchase ALDs from Australian Hearing. Please contact your local centre to discuss your options with one of our friendly staff.
Those not eligible for Government Hearing Services are able to purchase ALDs through the following providers.
