According to a 2016 study published in the Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biological Society, “Besides the well-known hearing aid, devices for detecting sound events that occur at home or at work (e.g. doorbell, telephone) are available.” We review more about some of these devices below.
Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Both smoke and carbon monoxide pose extreme danger, especially while asleep. This is because smoke and fire spread rapidly, while carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless. It is essential to have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors that work for you in your home. If you can’t hear an alarm, talk to a Security Equipment, Inc. representative in Omaha about models that use light and/or vibration to alert you.
Security Systems
You can also find security systems that provide different alerts based on the situation. Again, these usually rely on light that flashes in different colors or vibrations in the form of a panel that can be placed under a mattress or other piece of furniture.
Appliance Timers
Unfortunately, most appliances rely on sound to alert people when their cycles are over. Some alternative options are to set timers on your smartphone, which will vibrate when the alarm goes off, or to invest in smart appliances. Smart appliances connect to your Wi-Fi and provide information about the status of their various tasks, usually through your smartphone.
Alarm Clocks
Another essential piece of technology for people who work in the mornings is an effective alarm clock. Some people are light enough sleepers that the vibration of their smartphone will wake them. Heavier sleepers, however, will want to invest in a device that will wake them with bright flashing lights or vibrations throughout their whole bed.
Landline Phones
Some people can successfully use their smartphones to communicate with loved ones, but others prefer landlines. Fortunately, there are several options for people with hearing loss. Amplified phones turn up the volume on your conversation partner’s voice without sacrificing sound quality, while captioned phones provide live text on a large display of what they’re saying.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with a hearing technology expert, call Ear Specialists of Omaha & Bellevue today.
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