Hear the World More Clearly

From amplified phones to Bluetooth devices, we offer solutions that make hearing easier in every environment.

Assistive Technology for Greater Charlotte

Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) and Hearing Assistive Technology (HATs), are terms that encompass devices that help an individual manage the most difficulty listening situations. They can be used at work, at home, in places of entertainment, and depending on the product, can be used with or without hearing aids. While hearing aids and cochlear implants provide benefit to individuals with hearing loss, some patients may need additional assistance to help improve their hearing and understanding in the most difficult situations.

Categories of ALDs

A wide array of devices are available to help ease communication in challenging listening situations. Indications for which device is recommended is dependent on each person’s needs and listening environments.

Amplified Telephones

FM Systems/Roger

Alerting Devices

Induction Loop Systems

Bluetooth Devices/Accessories

Amplified Telephones

Specifically designed for people with hearing loss, giving a wider range of volume and tone control to help hear the conversation. Many amplified phones also provide an option for closed captioning, which allows you to read what the caller is saying on a screen attached to the phone during the conversation.

FM Systems and Roger Technology

Designed to improve the signal-to-noise ratio in difficult listening environments. An FM system counteracts the effects of distance and minimizes the effects of poor acoustics in a room. It operates by picking up the talker’s voice from a microphone and sending the voice wirelessly to a receiver worn by the listener. FM systems are most often used in conjunction with hearing aids but can also function as stand-alone systems.

Once used mainly in the school setting, FM systems are now available and accessible in the adult portfolio as well. It is a noisy world out there. If you struggle with background noise, even with hearing aids, an FM system can help enhance your hearing aid use and give you more ease of listening in the most challenging of environments.

Alerting Devices

Designed to help you stay connected to your environment and improve your safety. Alerting devices rely on amplified sounds, visual cues, and even vibrations to alert you to sounds in your environment.

Some examples of alerting devices include:

Vibrating alarm clocks

Doorbell alerts that use flashing lights to let you know a visitor is at your door

Vibrating and flashing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Assistive Audio Technology

Bluetooth technology is becoming an increasingly popular way for hearing aid users to connect to a variety of accessories and the world of technology. Bluetooth is a wireless communication platform that allows data transfer between two or more electronic devices. Over the last few years, most hearing aid manufacturers have developed hearing aids with Bluetooth streaming capabilities. The audio signal can be streamed directly to your hearing aids and amplified or shaped to match your unique hearing needs.

When listening to music, you can stream the sound directly to your hearing aids, allowing them to double as wireless earbuds. Similarly, television audio can be sent directly to your hearing aids with the use of an additional TV accessory, overcoming distance and background noise to provide clear and rich sound quality. Each hearing instrument model has a unique platform of accessories and compatibility with external devices. Talk with our audiologists about your needs to find the right solution for you.

Ready to Hear Better?

Our audiologists can help you choose the best technology to improve clarity and make everyday listening easier. To learn more about Lakeside Audiology or to schedule an appointment, give us a call today at (803) 620-8250.

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