Alerting Devices for the Home

What is an alerting device?

Alerting devices make a person aware of a particular sound by making the sound louder, flashing a light, or using a vibration to get one’s attention.  An alarm clock with an exceptionally loud ring is one example.  Some people use alerting devices before they are ready to commit to wearing hearing aids, particularly if they are only having difficulty in certain situations.  Other people use alerting devices in addition to their hearing aids.  Most people with hearing loss can benefit from an alerting device that makes the sound louder.

Typically people who are hard of hearing prefer to have their items produce a louder sound.  It is often difficult to "switch" to a flashing light system or a vibrating system.  However, many times people need to hear the phone, doorbell or alarm clock at night when they are sleeping and not wearing their hearing aids.  This creates an even more difficult situation.  People who have severe to profound hearing losses may want to strongly consider a flashing light or vibrating alerting system.  The Americans with Disabilities Act requires alerting devices to be placed in schools, stores, hotels, theaters and other public places, as well as places of employment.

Alerting devices:

• Amplify,
• Flash a light,
• Vibrate, or a combination of the three.

Types of Alerting Devices

There are four main alerting devices used to improve the quality of life for individuals with hearing loss:

• Smoke detectors
• Amplified telephone ringers
• Amplified doorbells
• Alarm clocks

Smoke Detectors

Being able to hear a smoke detector is a critical safety issue.  The alarm that is emitted from smoke detectors is extremely loud (90 dB +).  Fortunately, most people, with the exception of those with a profound hearing loss, will be able to hear the alarm.  For people who are unable to hear the audible alarm of a smoke detector, there are smoke detectors that have a flashing strobe light.
However, these smoke detectors require electricity to power the strobe light.  In the event of a power failure or an electrical fire, the battery backup is only powerful enough to power the audible alarm, leaving a person who is unable to hear it in an unsafe position.

Because of the extreme nature of this safety concern and the need for individual solutions, we are not going to discuss fire safety at length, and we recommend that you contact your local fire marshal for assistance.

Amplified telephone ringers

Amplified telephone ringers increase the volume of the ring itself.  There are three types of amplification available:

• Add-on amplifier.  This amplified ringer can be plugged into any phone line.  Typically there is the option of changing the volume, pitch, or pattern of the ring to best accommodate hearing loss and personal preference.  Add-on amplifiers are very flexible.
• Built-in amplifier. These amplified ringers are part of the telephone itself and are often included with an amplified telephone.  There is a limited choice of ring patterns and pitches.
• Portable telephone.  Some everyday telephone equipment such as cordless and cellular phones can help people who might have trouble hearing the phone ring in another room.  Cordless and cellular phones often have clips that one can attach to a belt.  This makes the phone easier to hear when it rings.

Amplified and flashing light doorbells
 

Amplified doorbells consist of two units:  the transmitter (the doorbell itself) and the receiver (the chime box).  The transmitter can be wired into the existing doorbell.  Installation requires some basic knowledge of wiring.  There is also a unit with a wireless doorbell that sticks right outside the door with adhesive or screws, so it essentially requires no installation.  The receiver is a chime box that plugs into any electrical outlet.  The chime box is extremely portable and can be easily moved from room to room, depending on one’s needs.  Additional receivers can also be purchased.  You can plug a lamp into a unit that will cause the lamp to flash when the doorbell rings.

Alarm clocks

Amplified alarm clocks are typically no more difficult to use than a regular alarm clock and they offer the same features, such as snooze button, large-read display, and backlight.  It is also common for amplified alarm clocks to offer the option of a flashing light and/or pillow vibrator.  There are some clocks which use the alerting light as a reading light.  Some alarm clocks will allow the user to change the pitch of the alarm to best suit hearing loss and preference.