Download Products to help with hearing loss and tinnitus leaflet

Products to help
with hearing loss
and tinnitus
You’ll find this leaflet useful if you have a hearing
loss and/or tinnitus and want to find out what
products can help at home, work and play.
If you have any questions or would like more information,
please contact our free Information Line:
Telephone
Textphone
SMS
Email
0808 808 0123
0808 808 9000
0780 000 0360
(standard text message rates apply)
[email protected]
It’s such a relief having a
smoke alarm that has flashing
lights and a vibrating pad,
as I have two small children
and a husband who travels. I can
sleep soundly at night knowing
that if the smoke alarm is activated,
I’ll immediately be alerted.
Clare Bowdler (pictured on the cover)
Contents
• What products can help with my hearing loss?
4
• What can alert me to sounds at home?
4
• What can help me use the phone?
6
• How can textphones and mobiles help?
7
• What is listening equipment?
9
• What products can help with my tinnitus?
13
• Can I get help with paying for equipment?
14
• Where can I get further information?
14
actiononhearingloss.org.uk
3
What products can help with my
hearing loss?
There are lots of great products available to help with different
levels of hearing loss. There are four levels of hearing loss (see
table) – however, you may have been diagnosed with, for example,
a ‘mild to moderate’ hearing loss, which means you can hear
certain pitches better than others. Your level of hearing loss will be
recorded on your hearing test results chart (audiogram). Ask your
audiologist (hearing specialist) if you want to find out more about
your particular hearing loss.
Level of
hearing
loss
Quietest sounds What this means for
you can hear,
communication
measured in
decibels (dBHL)
Mild
20–40
You have some difficulty following
speech, mainly in noisy situations.
Moderate
41–70
You have difficulty following
speech without hearing aids.
Severe
71–95
You rely a lot on lipreading, even
with hearing aids. British Sign
Language (BSL) may be your first
or preferred language.
Profoundly 95+
deaf
You probably rely on lipreading.
BSL may be your first or preferred
language.
What can alert me to sounds at home?
There’s a wide range of equipment that is extra loud, uses flashing
lights and/or vibrates to alert you to sounds at home, such as your
doorbell, smoke alarm, alarm clock or the phone ringing.
4
Products to help with hearing loss and tinnitus
You can either buy individual equipment for each area you have
problems with, or a system that connects to more than one device.
Please note: a flashing light is unlikely to wake you.
Alarm clocks
An extra-loud alarm clock may wake you if you have a mild to
moderate hearing loss. An alarm clock with a vibrating pad that
goes under your pillow or mattress will be more likely to wake
you if you have a moderate, severe or profound hearing loss.
There are also vibrating wristwatches and travel alarm clocks.
Baby monitors
Baby monitors for people with hearing loss use a vibrating pad and/
or flashing light to let you know your baby is crying. You can also
get baby monitors that let you see your baby on your TV screen.
Doorbells
If you have a mild hearing loss, you may only need a louder
doorbell or one with a different sound – or you may be able to add
an extension bell in one or more rooms. If you have a moderate,
severe or profound hearing loss, your options include flashinglight wireless doorbells and pagers.
Smoke alarms
Ordinary smoke alarms make a piercing, high-pitched sound. If
you have a moderate, severe or profound hearing loss, or take your
hearing aids out before you sleep, an ordinary smoke alarm won’t
be loud enough to alert you. Instead, get a smoke alarm designed
actiononhearingloss.org.uk
5
for people who are deaf – this has a vibrating pad that goes under
your pillow or mattress and vibrates if the smoke alarm goes off. It
also has flashing lights to alert you when you are awake.
Your local fire service can offer a free home-safety visit and may
be able to install a smoke alarm for you.
Please note: If you have a mild to moderate hearing loss, or
wear hearing aids, you may be able to hear a smoke alarm while
awake, but not when you when you are asleep or take out your
hearing aids.
You can find more information about these products in our
Equipment range of factsheets.
What can help me use the phone?
If you can’t hear the phone ring, first check to see if you can turn
up the volume of the ringer or change its pitch. Try placing your
phone on a hard surface, as this may make the ring sound louder.
If you still can’t hear your phone ring, you could add an extension
bell, or a flashing light, in one or more rooms.
Amplified phones
If you have trouble hearing the caller’s voice, an amplified phone
can help to make their voice louder. These phones also have an
extra-loud ringer. Some have a built-in flashing light to attract
your attention when the phone rings.
You can also buy an amplifier for your existing phone. Some fit
over the earpiece of your handset and can be used with corded
and cordless phones. Others are connected between the base
and handset on a corded phone.
6
Products to help with hearing loss and tinnitus
Hearing aid-compatible phones
Some phones are hearing-aid compatible, which means you
should be able to hear more clearly if you put your hearing aids on
the ‘hearing loop’ setting (formerly called the ‘T’ setting). Ask your
audiologist about this setting if you don’t already have it.
If you can, always try a phone before you buy it.
Find out more in our factsheet Telephones.
How can textphones and mobiles help?
Textphones
A textphone has a keyboard and display screen. You type what you
want to say rather than speaking into a mouthpiece. You can use
a textphone to contact another textphone user, or use the Next
Generation Text service (see below) to contact a telephone user.
For more information, see our factsheet Textphones.
Next Generation Text (NGT) service
NGT has replaced Text Relay as the service that lets you use a
textphone to contact someone using a telephone, and vice versa.
You are connected to a relay assistant, who reads to the other
person the words you’ve typed on your textphone, and types
to you their reply.
If you have a smartphone, tablet, laptop or PC that’s connected
to the internet, you can also download the free NGT app to
communicate in different ways. See ‘Type and read’, ‘Speak and
read’, ‘Type and hear’ and ‘Speak and hear’ on the NGT website:
www.ngts.org.uk
actiononhearingloss.org.uk
7
Mobile phones
Mobile phones have a range of ringtones and an adjustable ringer
volume. Many models also vibrate when they ring.
Some mobiles may interfere with hearing aids, causing an
annoying buzzing. However, low-interference mobiles mean less
buzzing – and you can identify these through the M, T ratings
scheme. ‘M’ refers to how well the mobile works with hearing aids
on the microphone setting and ‘T’ refers to how well it works with
hearing aids on the hearing loop setting. The ratings range from
1 (poor) to 5 (excellent), but not all manufacturers give
ratings. Some use the hearing loop symbol (left) to
show that a mobile can be used with hearing aids on
the loop setting.
It’s important to try out any mobile you’re thinking of buying. If
you have a mobile that interferes with your hearing aids, a neckloop
or ear hooks (see page 10) can help you use your phone effectively.
Emergency SMS service
If you can’t make voice calls, you can contact the 999
emergency services by SMS text from your mobile phone using
the emergency SMS service.
Visit www.emergencysms.org.uk to find out more.
Smartphones
A smartphone is a mobile that typically has a touchscreen and
internet access, and is capable of running downloaded software
applications (apps). There are thousands of apps available and
some, such as the NGT service (see box on page 7), can help you
communicate if you have a hearing loss.
8
Products to help with hearing loss and tinnitus
Bluetooth technology
Bluetooth technology enables devices to connect with each
other wirelessly using radio frequencies. You can pair Bluetoothcompatible hearing aids with mobile phones that have Bluetooth
(and other devices), so the sound is sent directly to your hearing
aids and you can listen hands-free.
Bluetooth-compatible hearing aids often come with a small device
known as a ‘hub’ or a ‘streamer’, which lets the hearing aids
communicate with Bluetooth devices. Otherwise, you can use a
Bluetooth neckloop or Bluetooth ear hooks (see page 10) to listen
hands-free through your hearing aids.
What is listening equipment?
Listening equipment increases the volume and clarity of
conversations and other sounds, and reduces background noise.
Conversation amplifiers
These are portable products that may help you to hear more
clearly, whether or not you have hearing aids. They are suitable
for most situations and allow you to adjust the high and low tones
(bass and treble) to suit your particular type of hearing loss. You
simply point the conversation amplifier in the direction you want
to listen and it amplifies the sound and transfers it directly to your
hearing aids or ears, through a variety of options:
• headphones, earphones or a stethoset (if you don’t have
hearing aids)
• ear hooks or a neckloop (if you have hearing aids with
a hearing loop setting).
Conversation amplifiers can also be used for hearing the TV.
actiononhearingloss.org.uk
9
Elite amplifiers
Elite amplifiers are wireless and are ideal when you’re out and
about and need to hear conversation at a distance – for example,
at dinner parties, meetings, presentations and lectures. They can
also be used at home for listening to the TV.
There’s a range of elite amplifiers available – their features will
vary, depending on the cost, but they all consist of:
• a transmitter – this contains a microphone and is given
to, or placed near, the person speaking
• a receiver – this is worn by the person using the amplifer – it
wirelessly receives sound from the transmitter and amplifies it
(makes it louder).
Some elite amplifers are designed for use with hearing aids that
have a hearing loop setting (the receiver sends the sound to the
aids via a neckloop). Others are for use without hearing aids – you
listen through headphones, earphones or a stethoset, which you
plug into the receiver.
Some venues provide elite amplifiers – for example, for guided
tours. The guide wears the transmitter and you wear the receiver.
Neckloops and ear hooks
These are designed for people who wear hearing aids that have a
hearing loop setting (speak to your audiologist if you don’t have
this). Using a neckloop or ear hooks can help you hear sounds
more clearly, and reduce background noise, when your hearing
aids are on the loop setting. You can use them with products like
MP3 players and conversation amplifiers.
10 Products to help with hearing loss and tinnitus
You wear a neckloop around your neck, like a necklace, and ear
hooks fit over your ears, next to your hearing aids. Both products
do the same job, so you can choose which one you prefer.
You can also plug your neckloop or ear hooks into the headphone
socket on your:
• TV
• mobile phone
• stereo
• other audio equipment.
You may need an extension lead for this. There are also Bluetooth
neckloops and ear hooks that can connect wirelessly with Bluetoothcompatible mobile phones and other devices.
Headphones
Headphones may be useful if you have a mild to moderate
hearing loss. They allow you to listen to music or watch TV at a
louder volume without disturbing others. Most TVs, radios and
stereos have a headphone socket. On some TVs, plugging in your
headphones will cut out the sound from the TV’s loudspeaker. If
this is a problem, cordless headphones would be a better option.
Cordless headphones
There are two types of cordless headphone: infrared and radio.
Both types receive signals from a transmitter connected to a
sound source, such as a TV set or stereo.
Walls block infrared signals, so infrared headphones can only
receive signals in the same room as the transmitter. Radio signals
are not blocked by walls, so radio cordless headphones can
receive the signal anywhere in your home.
actiononhearingloss.org.uk
11
Hearing loop systems
A hearing loop system (often just called a loop) can help you
hear more clearly over background noise if you use hearing aids
switched to the loop setting or have a loop listener. Ask your
audiologist about the loop setting if you don’t already have it.
Loops normally have an amplifier, which plugs into a sound source
such as a TV or a microphone, and a wire cable (loop) that runs
around the edge of the room and plugs into the amplifier. The
electric current in the loop produces a magnetic field that sends
sound from the source directly to your hearing aids.
You’ll find loops in public places such as theatres and cinemas.
Banks and post offices often have loop systems at the counter.
You can also get loop systems for use at home and in the car.
You can fit a loop system at home yourself, following the
manufacturer’s instructions. If you think you could benefit from
a loop in your car, speak to your car dealer or garage about
having one fitted. Some loops can be powered from the vehicle’s
cigarette lighter socket, which makes installation easier.
Infrared systems
An infrared system is an alternative to a loop system.
The system has two main parts:
• a transmitter that you place near the sound source
(such as your TV or stereo)
• a wireless receiver listening aid – this is a neckloop if
you wear hearing aids and a stethoset if you don’t.
12
Products to help with hearing loss and tinnitus
Infrared systems are often installed in venues such as theatres,
cinemas and lecture halls. You can collect the listening aid from
the venue’s reception desk.
You can also get infrared systems for the home.
To find out more, see our Equipment range of factsheets.
What products can help with my tinnitus?
If you have tinnitus (noise in your ear(s) or head that doesn’t
have an external source), your tinnitus specialist may recommend
that you use a sound generator as part of a tinnitus management
programme. These devices produce a range of soothing sounds,
normally including the ‘shhh’ sound known as ‘white noise’.
There are different types of sound generator. Some look like
hearing aids and fit behind the ear – only professionals can
provide them. Other types are commonly known as ‘tinnitus
relaxers’. You can get bedside tinnitus relaxers that play recordings
of sounds such as the sea, fountains, birdsong or rain. You may
be able to get one on loan from your tinnitus clinic, or you can
buy one.
You can also get sound pillows or under-the-pillow speakers,
which you can plug into your radio, music system or bedside
tinnitus relaxer to help you sleep at night.
See our leaflet Understanding tinnitus and contact our
Information Line (see last page) to find out more.
actiononhearingloss.org.uk
13
Can I get help with paying for equipment?
• Social services may provide equipment or help to pay for it.
Contact your local social services sensory team to find out
more. You can find the number by looking in your local phone
directory or by searching online.
• The government’s Access to Work scheme may help to pay for
equipment you need at work or for job interviews. To find out
more, search for ‘Access to Work’ at www.gov.uk/access-towork (www.nidirect.gov.uk in Northern Ireland).
• The Equality Act 2010 (Disability Discrimination Act 1995
in Northern Ireland) may require service providers – such as
hospitals, GP surgeries and education providers – to provide
equipment for people who are deaf or have hearing loss. See
our Your rights range of factsheets to find out more.
• If you’re in post-18 education, you may be eligible for Disabled
Students’ Allowances (DSAs) to help pay for any equipment
and/or communication support you need. See our leaflet
Benefits and support services for more information.
Where can I get further information?
We produce a wide range of free information covering hearing loss,
deafness, tinnitus and related issues. Our leaflets are a good place
to start, while our factsheets go into more detail.
You can find our publications on our website at
www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/factsheets or order free copies
from our Information Line (see last page for details). Our friendly
Information Line Officers will also answer any queries you have.
You can find lots of other useful information online at
www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk
14
Products to help with hearing loss and tinnitus
Alternative formats
If you’d like any of our leaflets or factsheets in Braille, large print
or audio format, please contact our Information Line.
Information you can trust
We are certified by The Information Standard as producers of
high-quality, evidence-based information. For a list of references
for this leaflet, please email [email protected]
Can you help us improve our information?
We’d love to hear what you think of this leaflet – please
email [email protected] And do let us know
if you’d like to join our Readers’ Panel, to help us create new
publications and improve existing ones.
Shop for hearing loss products
Our Product catalogue features the
latest products and technology to
help with hearing loss and tinnitus.
Order the catalogue free today!
Telephone 01733 361199
Textphone 01733 238020
Email [email protected]
Or shop online at
FREE
2014/2015
Listening
Hearing
protection
Product
Catalogue
TV and music
Commercial loops
deaf people,
, designed to help
A great range
of tinnitus
g loss or sufferers
those with hearin
Phones
Alerting
Tinnitus
www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/shop
10/10/2014 10:31
OFC V11 for A3
VERSION ONLY.indd
1
actiononhearingloss.org.uk
15
We’re Action on Hearing Loss, the charity
working for a world where hearing loss
doesn’t limit or label people, where tinnitus
is silenced – and where people value and
look after their hearing. We can’t do this
without your help.
To find out more about what we do
and how you can support us, go to
www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk
Action on Hearing Loss Information Line
Telephone 0808 808 0123
Textphone 0808 808 9000
SMS
0780 000 0360
(standard text message rates apply)
Email [email protected]
PUBLISHED: JANUARY 2015. REVIEW DATE: JANUARY 2016.
Action on Hearing Loss is the trading name of
The Royal National Institute for Deaf People.
A registered charity in England and Wales
(207720) and Scotland (SC038926) A0945/0115