Article - There's More Than Hearing Aids

Products That Help People With Hearing Loss

Does it seem like everyone is mumbling when they talk to you? Do family members frequently complain that the television and radio are too loud when you think the volume is just fine? Are you straining to hear a child's voice? These are some of the warning signs of hearing impairment.

Some people suffer a hearing loss from listening to loud music or working in a very noisy environment. Most people experience some degree of hearing loss as they age. If you or someone close to you notices a change, have your hearing professionally tested to determine the cause and degree of impairment. Your doctor may suggest investing in hearing aids. But if hearing aids are not appropriate, there are a variety of other products that can increase volume and clarity so that you can comfortably carry on your daily activities.

Here are some of the most popular hearing accessories available from our site:

• Amplified Telephones: Most of the phones we carry allow for tone adjustment, which is as effective as amplification for some people. Adjusting the tone enables you to get more of the higher pitch that many people find harder to hear. Among the many models available, the loudest is the Clarity XL-50 , which features volume control up to 60 dB, for extra loud conversations.

The newest amplified telephone is a cordless amplified telephone with big buttons that adds up to 30 dB of extra volume. Most commercially available cordless phones are less than one-tenth as loud.

• Personal Pager with Vibrating Alert: This wireless pager system enables coworkers or family members to get the attention of someone with a hearing impairment simply by pressing the button on the transmitter. The pager will chime loudly when alerted. It also vibrates, for people with severe hearing loss or who want something more discreet in their pocket. The system has a 100-foot range, so it is ideal if you are confined to a bed, have limited mobility or work in a noisy office. Because it is battery operated, this system is entirely portable.

• Super Loud and Bright Smoke Alarm: With a 90dB alarm and flashing strobe light, the Gentex Smoke Alarm will let you know when there is a fire!

The best feature that many of the new hearing devices share is their discreet style of compensating for hearing loss. You can easily incorporate them into your daily life and they don't look institutional. The message is loud and clear - there are many alternatives for turning up the volume.

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