Assistive Listening Devices

Television Enhancement Technology

Television Enhancement Technology equipment is used to improve auditory perception of a televised signal. Also caption decoding can be done.

They include different types of devices. Some of them are targeted to improve sound quality for the listener. Infrared systems can be used for this purpose.

Closed caption decoders are also very useful as they convert all the spoken messages on TV into visible text/captions which can be read on the TV screen.

Telecommunication Technology

Telecommunication Technology systems used to enhance telephone communication. Eg; Text telephone, built-in portable amplifiers and induction loop systems.

These include systems designed to make communication over the FM telephone easier for the person with hearing impairment. A hearing aid user can keep his personal hearing aid on 'T' position to listen over the telephone.

There are special hand sets which give amplified sound. Some manufacturers produce telephone couplers which can be attached to regular handsets to get amplified sound.

Text Telephones/Telephone devices/Teletype writers:

Both parties communicating must have the instrument. One person types the message. The signal is transmitted through the telephone line and displayed on the screen of the person receiving the message.

Signal/Alerting Technology

Signal/Alerting Technology use devices which delivers signal through visual or tactile vibratory means so as to enable hearing impaired person to perceive them.

This includes technology to alert persons with hearing impairment to the presence of sound by converting the sound into another form of energy (visual/vibration) which she/he can perceive Eg. Alarm clock with vibrators, baby cry systems for hearing impaired parents, door bell/telephone alerts, smoke alarms.