At home

There are a growing number of technical devices that assist people with profound to moderate hearing losses to manage their daily lives (see Factsheet 6). There are several domestic devices which profoundly deaf people will not be able to hear, and which hearing aid and CI users might miss if they are not wearing their aid or speech processor or it is not working properly. Doorbells, smoke alarms, baby alarms and alarm clocks can all be linked up to visual alerting systems such as flashing lights. The house lights can be made to go on and off, or dim. Some devices can be connected to vibrating pads which can be put under the pillow so that you can sleep peacefully knowing that you will be awakened by the vibrating pad if the smoke alarm goes off in the night or, if it is connected to the alarm clock, that it is time to get up.

Domestic induction loop systems can be installed in the home. These consist of a continuous loop of wire installed around a living room, possibly tacked to the skirting and passing round or under door and window frames. Each end of the loop is attached to a mains-powered amplifier. A microphone or microphones can be held, placed in a convenient location or attached to the speaker of a TV, radio or audio system. By switching a hearing aid or speech processor to the T setting, sound from the loop is directed to the aid.

Some local authorities will provide on loan all of the equipment that you need in your home. The referral will be to the social services “sensory services team” or a similar title. Make sure your hospital ENT department refers you when you have got your hearing aid provision sorted. A social worker will make an appointment to visit your home and complete an assessment with you. He/she will talk through your requirements and offer you a choice of equipment. This includes telephone/smoke alarms/alerting device/loop system/alarm clock. Even if your partner/family are hearing, you will be assessed on the basis of enabling you to be independent in your home when you are alone. Once this assessment has been completed and approved the equipment will be provided fitted and maintained by this support team. (see Factsheet 1).

Cordless alerting systems are also available. Transmitters can be set for the doorbell, telephone, fire alarm, baby cry, personal help call, car alarm, alarm clock and burglar alarm. The receiver is wearable and vibrates when activated and lights up one of the lights on the receiver according to which signal is being received. These devices are a tremendous help especially if you live alone or are in charge of a young child or dependent person.

If you do not like mechanical aids but do like animals you can investigate the possibility of having a hearing dog for deaf people. These dogs are trained to attract their owner's attention to noises such as the doorbell, smoke alarm and the alarm clock. They are also good companions and many deaf people have found their lives enriched by the ownership of a hearing dog, which helps to counteract the sense of loneliness and isolation that affects many deafened people.

See catalogues published by RNID Sound Advantage and Connevans Ltd (contact details in Factsheet 1) for details of the supply of a wide range of appropriate equipment. This Factsheet also has contact details for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

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