Ask Linn: Assistive Listening Technologies
Dear Linn,
I am a business professional and cochlear implant recipient. I’d like to purchase some assistive listening products to help me hear my best in difficult environments. Can you suggest some products that would be most useful in the office, at the theater and at home to help me hear the TV or stereo better? S.D.
Dear S.D.:
Purchasing assistive listening technology is a great investment. There are hundreds of devices that can improve one’s hearing in noisy environments, at the theater or to help overcome problems in the work environment. It is best to evaluate the areas you are having the most difficulty so you can choose the products that will meet your personal needs.
Here are some of the many assistive listening devices for you to consider. See Linn’s Links for product categories from various assistive listening device dealers. Happy shopping!
Small Area Loops can be used to improve hearing of TV, stereo and can be connected to the public address system in meeting rooms. Read more about Small Area Loops
The Looped Clipboard is a self-contained, portable wireless loop system incorporated into a clipboard. Read more about the Looped Clipboard
Infra-red stereo /TV listening systems provide improved listening for TV or other audio components in the home and may even be compatible with infra-red systems used in many theaters. Read more about Infa-red Stereo/TV listenting systems
An FM TV /Home Entertainment listening system is now available from Sennheiser that is similar to the infra-red type system discussed above. The Sennheiser 820S is a TV/music listening system that is specially designed for cochlear implant or hearing aid wearers. Read more about FM TV/ Home Entertainment listening systems
Personal FM Systems improve sound quality in difficult environments by transmitting the speakers voice via radio frequency signals from a transmitter to a receiver unit that is coupled to the hearing device.. Read more about Personal FM Systems
