Communicating with Assistive Technology

Every day we use assistive technology to improve the quality and quantity of our communications.  What is assistive technology?  Assistive technology for those with hearing loss is any device other than hearing aids that facilitates communication.  Examples would include wireless headphones, telephone amplifiers, text telephones, fax machines, e-mail and voice recognition computer software.

Your first step in exploring the use of assistive technology is to schedule an appointment with your audiologist. Matching the right type of assistive technology to your hearing needs is important to achieve success.  Let your audiologist know where you would like to see improved communication, e.g. telephone communication.  Ask to try or recommend devices that would work the best for your hearing loss and communication needs.  Take advantage of their experience.  It is cheaper than multiple catalog returns.  This will save you hours of frustration.

The second step is to try something new.  Be very patient.  The first device you try may not meet your needs. You may not like the way it sounds, or the way it looks.  Trial and error is what brings success.  Most places that sell assistive technology allow you to return a device that does not meet your needs.

The third step is to make sure that the device is properly connected to your hearing instrument or ear.  This can make the difference between success and failure.  Two of the common ways to connect behind-the-ear instruments and to a lesser extent some in-the-ear instruments to assistive technology are Neckloops and Direct Audio Input adapters.  Neckloops allow you to use the telecoil circuit of your hearing aid to pick up the sound from anything with a headphone jack (Portable tape or CD player, radio, telephone).  Your hearing aid must have a telecoil in order to use a neck loop.   Telecoil circuits rely on magnetic fields to pick up the sound.  These often pick up stray magnetic fields from fluorescent lights, CRT screens, and motors that interfere with the sound quality.  Direct audio input allows you to plug your hearing aid directly into a headphone jack.  This affords you the best sound quality.