Independent Living | 19 Comments |
Aids for Hearing Loss
There is now a considerable range of products available to enable you to maintain contact with the world, despite hearing loss. This is a round-up of some of the most commonly available products: please send us an email if you are looking for anything in particular that you can’t find here – or if you come across something particularly useful that you think we should include.
Products featured on this page:
hearing aids
hearing loops
phones and mobile phones
alerts and alarms
clocks
Hearing Aids
Hearing aid technology has improved markedly – particularly with the use of digital rather than analogue sound processing, which enables the sound to be adjusted more accurately, to suit both the listener’s individual requirements, and the circumstances in which they are listening – on the phone, in a busy street, etc. Some digital aids adjust automatically to take account of different conditions.
Digital hearing aids are available in two main types – behind the ear, or BTE 
(left) where a mould sits inside your ear, connected to the main body of the aid which rests behind the ear; and in the ear, ITE, (right) or in the ear canal, ITC, where the entire aid fits inside the ear. People with very severe hearing loss or narrow ear canals may not be able to use these.
BTE aids can boost specific frequencies where hearing loss is experienced, rather than amplifying all sounds.
Aids may be battery powered or rechargeable: be aware that batteries are very small and can be difficult to replace if your dexterity is not very good.
The aids can often be controlled via an app on your phone.
You can now buy disposable hearing aids, which fit right inside the ear canal, and are replaced when the battery runs out – about every 10 weeks. They come in fixed sizes, however, so don’t suit everybody.
Hearing Loops
![Image of hearing loop amplifier](http://www.independentliving.co.uk/ihear/loop-ed.jpg")
A domestic induction loop is a smaller scale version of the loop systems used in public spaces such as theatres and conference centres. A cable encircles the room, and is fed by a loop amplifier (left), which picks up the sound signal either by means of a microphone or by being directly connected to the sound source. A magnetic field is produced which corresponds to the sound produced, without the impact of the room’s acoustic quirks or any other noise. Within the loop, a person can pick up this sound with their hearing aid switched to the ‘T’ setting. Domestic-scale induction loops are also available for use in cars.
A system such as the Comfort Contego (shown right) which comprises a digital wireless transmitter and receiver with neckloop enhances and improves the quality of sound from a variety of sources in the home, workplace and leisure environments. Both the transmitter and receiver have built-in microphone with zoom function to eliminate background noise. The unit can be used to pick up sound from a single source, such as a television or PC, or in omni-directional mode to hear, for example, speakers in different parts of a conference room.
Telephones and Mobile Phones
The telephone is a lifeline that need not be lost as hearing is impaired. Solutions available include telephones with built-in amplification; extra loud ringer, vibrating or flashing light alert; amplifiers to be used with an existing phone. Many amplified phones also have large buttons and other features to assist those with impaired vision or dexterity.
Bluetooth neckloops and ear hooks can be used with a compatible mobile phone to provide hands-free communication for hearing aid users. Hooks positioned right by the hearing aid provide excellent volume and clarity.
Neckloops can be used with landline phones as well as mobiles. A single wire connects the units, and they can enable even people with severe hearing loss to communicate by phone.
Alerts and Alarms
Missing a caller because you didn’t hear the door bell is a familiar experience for many with hearing impairment. The newest door bell alert systems are wireless, so that they can be installed without causing disruption, and have extra loud chimes, often combined with a flashing light or vibrating alert. A portable receiver can easily be carried about the house or garden so that no visitors are missed.
This smoke alarm system for deafened people (right) combines the familiar smoke detector which is mounted on the ceiling, with a vibrating pad, flashing strobe light and control box. The pad and light respond to the smoke detector to give a vibrating and visual alert, as well as the usual audible warning.
A flashing light phone alert (left) gives the option of a clearly visible flashing light and/or extra loud ring to signal an incoming phone call. This unit is combined with a remote doorbell alert. It can also be used with a vibrating pad if required.
Clocks
A neat alarm clock to place under the pillow – it vibrates to let you know when it’s time to wake up. (left) This model also has an audible alarm, and other features such as a backlit screen, temperature display and ‘snooze’ feature. The jumbo alarm on the right combines features for visually and hearing impaired, and can be used to wake you in a variety of ways with a vibrating pad, flashing light and alarm.
Article ends – click to return to top or check out related resources below
Further reading and resources
You can read my personal account of managing hearing loss here
Communication is a two-way street – tips on making it easier if you are hearing impaired or speaking to someone who is
We have an interesting article about the prospects for deaf children acquiring spoken language, here
19 Replies to “Aids for Hearing Loss”
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Hello, my mother in law is unable to hear the doorbell at all anymore. Please could you recommend one that is very loud and / or vibrates / lights up? Many thanks.
Hi Suzie!
I am sorry to hear about your mother in law’s condition. The best way to get more information about the doorbell that you require is to get in contact directly with the suppliers listed in the righthand sidebar who have expertise in this area. You can send them a message via the following email address:
Easylink UK – sales@easylinkuk.co.uk
iHear – sales@ihear.co.uk
I hope this helps. Please don’t hesitate to come back to me if you have any other questions.
Best wishes,
Liane
Hello
please could someone tell me where I can get Jumbo Alarm Clock (black with large red digits) shown on here – under Clocks? Thankyou
Hi Karen,
You can get in touch directly with the supplier iHear to know more about the Jumbo Alarm Clock.
Let me know if you have any further questions.
Best wishes,
Liane
My 96 year old mother is very deaf and cannot use her present phone anymore. Where can I buy a phone like the one on your web site as a Google search only brings up mobile devices.
Thank you.
Hi Paul,
I am sorry to hear about your mother’s condition. The best way to get more information about the phone that you require is to get in contact directly with the suppliers listed in the righthand sidebar who have expertise in this area. You can send them a message via the following email address:
Easylink UK – sales@easylinkuk.co.uk
iHear – sales@ihear.co.uk
I hope this helps. Please don’t hesitate to come back to me if you have any other questions.
Best wishes,
Liane
I am newly diagnosed with some age-related hearing loss and now have bilateral hearing aids. which are great, I have slept through alarms for work on occasion and am looking for a reasonable costing alarm that would help me. Any ideas?
I am also having difficulty at work getting people to understand they need to be in front of me so that I can hear them better it is frustrating
Hello Jacqueline
Apart from the option of a really loud alarm clock, another possibility is a vibrating one – you put the vibrating pad under your pillow. In fact, a lot of alarm clocks designed for people with impaired hearing provide both options. You can see a range on the iHear website: https://www.ihear.co.uk/collections/loud-alarm-clocks (external link will open in a new browser window)
I sympathise with your frustration over colleagues – sounds like you have an awareness-raising job on your hands. We have some tips here to improve communication, which you and they may find helpful: https://www.independentliving.co.uk/advice/hearing-loss/
Good luck and best wishes,
Frances
Please can you tell me where i can buy the smoke alarm alert as we are getting increasingly anxious about our elderly, hearing impaired Mum She lives alone and often doesnt hear the alarm go off
Many thanks
Sue
Hi Sue – I am just checking this out for you with a supplier that I think has one. I’ll post more details here as soon as I can.
Best wishes, Frances
Unfortunately the supplier I was thinking of no longer makes this product.
I have found an alternative from iHear, who are also helpful suppliers of aids for people with impaired hearing. https://www.ihear.co.uk/collections/deafgard (external link will open in a new browser window)
It is quite expensive, I am afraid.
Under the Care Act, equipment for hearing loss can be provided by your Local Authority Sensory Impairment Team following a sensory assessment. Equipment provision varies with each local authority however Telephone, TV, Doorbells, Smoke alarm, Communication, benefits should be discussed in the assessments.
Hello Sarah
Thank you for sharing this information – it will be useful for anyone with hearing loss looking for help with their daily living needs.
Best wishes,
Frances
Hi, do you know if this assistance is available from local authorities in Scotland too? My Mum is now in the position of needing some assistance.
Hi
I’m profoundly deaf and I am now working from home instead of out in the community where I was able to Lipread. I’m finding it very difficult to have a quality conversation with customers and wondered what I can find to have a better quality sound from my works phone
Hello Sandra
I am sure there are solutions to make your working life a bit easier, so I recommend talking to an expert supplier such as iHear. If you wear hearing aids, for example, something like the Phonak Roger Pen can be used to improve the sound from a phone. You may also be able to get financial support for buying assistive equipment through Access to Work (external link will open in a new browser window).
You can contact iHear by phone 0845 6520167 or email sales@ihear.co.uk
Best wishes,
Frances
If you are able to verbalise – Another option is to use Relay UK whereby you can talk directly to the individual and their response is typed on a screen. https://www.relayuk.bt.com/ This can be used on a mobile/tablet/laptop and hope this maybe useful to you.
Hi I am interested in an alarm clock, the one that I bought about 2 years ago was dropped this morning and is no longer working. The clock is a travel Tim clock and works on batteries. Of the clocks displayed on your page I am interested in the black one as an option but would prefer the travel Tim if you have it. The prices can you let me know the cost please. Thank you Bill
Hello Bill
We don’t actually sell any products – Independent Living is an information website. The Travel TIM Vibrating alarm clock is quite widely available online. For example, you can get it from Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Humantechnik-Travel-Alarm-Clock-Green-Black/dp/B005ILLR4Y (external link will open in a new browser window)
I hope this helps. Please don’t hesitate to come back to me if there is anything else you would like to ask.
Best wishes,
Frances