Hearing Assistive Technology Systems (HATS) and Assistive Listening Devices (ALDS) Flashcards
Assistive technology
“Broad range of devices, services, strategies, and practices that are conceived and applied to ameliorate the problems faced by individuals who have disabilities” (Cook & Hussey, 2002, P.5).
Not a “device” but a “system” which includes:
-Device
-Human operator
-Environment
The context is important!
HAT systems exist within asocial, cultural, and physical contexts:
-Who, what, where, when, and why
The need for HAT depends on:
-Degree of loss
-communication demands
-activities
-interaction with others
HATS and ALDS
Hearing aids and/or Cochlear implants are sometimes not enough
Especially in….
Background noise
Reverberant environments
Ambient Noise
When sounds/speech is distant
Sometimes these are not enough
Reverberate environments can be worst than background noise
HAT includes:
The evaluation of the needs of an individual with a disability.
Purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices.
Selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, retaining, repairing, or replacing of assistive technology devices.
Coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology devices;
Training or technical assistance for an individual with disabilities or, where appropriate, the family of an individual with disabilities, professionals, employers, or other individuals who provide services to, employ, or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of individuals with disabilities
Hearing assistive technology systems (HATS) and assistive listening devices (ALDS) can be used for:
Broadcast and other electronic media (radio, tv, theater)
Telephone communication
Interpersonal communication
Face to face communication
Environmental awareness of sounds
Alerting signals/safety (doorbell, alarms, etc)
Can be used in conjunction with HA or alone.
Sometimes people aren’t candidates for an HA or CI but they just need some amplification some of the time
However, can be used in conjunction with HA or by themselves
Assistive technology: characteristics
- Assistive/ rehabilitative/ educational role
- Low to high technology
- Hard vs. soft technologies (or a combination)
- Appliances vs. Tools
- Minimal to maximal technology
Ex: Hard= Device or element that can be purchased and used. Soft=human components such as new strategies or training.
Appliances vs. Tools: Appliances- provide benefit irrespective of skill level. Tools- require development of skill.
Minimal to maximal technology- Minimal- augment patient’s listening abilities Maximal- replace hearing with other senses.
Wireless Systems
FM, infared, induction loops
No cords/wires required
Used in churches, theaters, etc when person of interest is at a distance from the listener
Bluetooth wireless technology
Patients are able to turn their hearing aids into MP3 players, wireless headsets for hearing on the telephone/smartphone, watching television and listening to music or books on tape, etc.
Bluetooth technology sends the sound directly to the hearing aids.
Offers a solution for some of the common problems associated with hearing aids.
infrared hearing systems
- The input can be from a microphone, a sound system or any other audio source which produce an electrical signal containing the audio information.
- This signal is fed to the modulator which prepares the audio signal for the subsequent infrared (IR) transmission.
- This processed electrical signal is then fed to the radiator. The radiator radiate invisible infrared light into the room.
- Wireless receivers are used to convert the infrared light signal
back into an electrical signal and then into an audio signal again.
There is no limit to the number of receivers.
Infared Systems
Patient can wear a Stethoset receiver (no HA) or neckloop (HA)
Used frequently for television and movie theaters
Not appropriate for outdoors
Need direct line of sight
FM Systems
Certain frequencies designated just for people with HL
Personal FM or soundfield FM
Personal FM: Speaker wears transmitter
Listener wears receiver either as boot on HA,
neckloop for HA, ear-level FM
FM systems are most commonly used in school
Where the speaker is using a microphone and the student can either have a special boot on their HA, CI, or something on their neck that will amplify their voice
Classrooms are noisy and the teacher is always moving around
This lets a child always hear the teacher like they are right in front of their face
Used to FM modulation radio
Now digital wireless systems are used
Can use FM with conjunction of something or on its own
Just like telecoil FM is universal-ish
Pertaining to different companies of HA’s
All of these companies can be paired to one microphone
Soundfield FM systems
FM systems can transmit signals through objects such as walls, and can often be used up to 30 meters away.
Speaker (usually a teacher) wears a microphone
Speakers placed throughout the room
Those with HL will pick up signal through their HA/CI microphone instead of direct audio input
Personal FM better SNR
Soundfield need less hardware
and benefit everyone in room
FM uses
Classroom
Theaters
Churches
Large-area listening environments
Induction Loop Systems
Loop of wire must be placed around the room
A basic loop system is quite simple to put together. In fact it is rather like a standard sound system but with the loudspeaker replaced by the induction loop.
Electromagnetic energy
Picked up by T coil in HA or CI
Telecoil
Universal, all manufactures put in the same Tcoil
Physical loop
Can be used for the landline phones or any place that is looped in general
Simple Amplification Systems
Amplified telephones
Amplify the signal- Not programed individually
