Use of Hearing Devices

Medical professionals with hearing loss may find it difficult to use a standard stethoscope. The following resources offer amplified stethoscope products for individuals who are hard of hearing, who cannot place ear tips in the ears due to ear deformity or hearing aid use, or for individuals who work in noisy environments and need amplification or noise attenuation.

Personal assistive listeners reduce problems associated with background noise in one-on-one listening situations. By sending the sound signal directly to the individual's ears (using a headset, ear bud, hearing aid, etc.), an ALD enables an individual to hear and understand important sounds. Personal assistive listeners provide amplification and sound clarity.

Assistive listening systems, also known as assistive listening devices (ALD), transmit sound directly to an individual who is wearing a sound receiver (hearing aid, headphone, neck loop etc.). ALDs reduce problems associated with background noise in one-on-one and group communication. By sending the sound signal directly to the individual's ears, an ALD enables the individual to hear and understand important sounds while also reducing frustration associated with hearing unwanted background noises.There are three major types of ALD technology: FM radio signal, infrared light, and induction loop systems. FM systems transmit sound via radio waves. FM broadcast frequencies (72-76 MHz) are designated for use by FM systems. Infrared systems use lightwaves to send electrical signals to receivers that convert the electrical signals back to electrical energy and then sound. Induction loops use electromagnetic transmission to send sound through a loop of wire surrounding a seating area. A personal amplified system is another ALD option for one-on-one conversations and home media purposes. The personal systems are very small and portable and involve the use of a small microphone and receiver.ALDs can be used to accommodate applicants or employees who are hard of hearing and who benefit from amplification. ALDs can be used for one-on-one communication with coworkers or clients, small group meetings and training situations, or large-area listening situations, such as conferences or social events.   Hearing loop systems generally need to be professionally installed. For a list of installers, see HearingLoop.org's vendor list or another list provided by the Hearing Loss Association of America (.pdf).

Communication aids provide communication access to people who have speech, hearing, or cognitive impairments. By typing words and sentences or touching pictures and symbols, an individual who has no speech or limited ability to speak can communicate through text, synthesized speech, or a prerecorded voice. Communication devices can be used to communicate in situations involving personal communication, groups, or the telephone.

Communication devices that utilize the Bluetooth brand of technology.

The following companies offer accessible cell phone solutions for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. If you are looking for amplifiers, a TTY that can be used with a cell phone, a hearing aid compatible headset for use with cell phones, Bluetooth technology, and hearing aid compatible cell phones, see the links provided below.When researching cellular phones, ask the wireless service provider about the opportunity to test the phone before you buy. If you are seeking a phone that will couple with a hearing aid's microphone, look for phones that have a rating of M3 or M4. A higher "M" rating indicates that the phone will be less likely to interfere with a hearing aid. If you are seeking a phone that will couple with a hearing aid's telecoil, look for phones that have a rating of T3 or T4. A higher "T" rating means the phone is less likely to interfere with the hearing aid when in the telecoil mode.

The following telephone headset products are designed for use by individuals who need amplification or clarity using a headset. Many of these products are designed for use with t-coil equipped hearing aids while others can be enabled via Bluetooth. Some of these products are to be used with cellular phones and audio devices (e.g. MP3 players), while others can be used with cellular, corded, cordless, single-line, and multi-line phones. Products that offer tone control are also listed. Go to the web sites provided or contact the resources listed for technical assistance regarding these products.

Hearing aids that are resistant to water. Some of which have an IP 67 rating which indicates they can be submerged in water up to a meter deep for half an hour.

The following agencies and organizations offer hearing aid assistance through donation and funding programs for qualified recipients. You can also contact your state office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services for hearing aid funding assistance. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) also maintains a list of agencies and organizations that can provide information about hearing aid funding. Visit ASHA's list for more information.

Hearing protection might be used as an accommodation for an individual who is hard of hearing, who needs to work in a noisy environment and still be able to communicate with co-workers. Active hearing protection and special purpose ear muffs that attenuate sound as the noise level rises, may enable effective performance in moderate noisy environments. Hearing aids may fit under certain muff style hearing protectors that have large, rectangular openings. An audiologist may be helpful in determining whether a particular individual can wear hearing aids under hearing protection and what product combination would best suit their needs.

A neckloop is a loop of wire designed to be worn around the neck that allows an audio signal to be transmitted from a sound source to a hearing aid. Neck loops work with hearing aids that contain a t-coil, but some are also designed to work with hearing aids that contain a Bluetooth chip. By using a neckloop, a listener can benefit from amplification while avoiding background noise. Neck loops can be used with many different types of sound sources including some types of assistive listening systems.

Products that amplify outgoing speech while using the telephone. Products may include telephones having adjustable outgoing voice amplification, or personal, portable voice amplifiers that work with a telephone.

A personal on-site paging device transmits a signal from the base transmitter to a receiver (the pager) through vibration and/or a numerical code display. These are local paging systems that work within a specified area.

Common policy modification accommodations include modifications to leave, no-animal, dress code, and fragrance policies. For example, an attendance policy can be modified so that the absences related to seizures will not count against the employee.

Products for hearing aids that protect them against splashing water, sweat and high humidity for general outdoor use, etc.

Some hearings aids have a special feature called a telecoil, which allows the sound from a telephone or other sound source to be sent directly inside the hearing aid for customized amplification. Connecting via telecoil also helps to limit the impact of background noise on the listening experience. Another name for a telecoil is t-coil. A specialized type of headset may be needed in order to make the most of a telecoil enabled hearing aid while using a telephone.  An audiologist or other may be helpful in determining whether or not a particular person is using a telecoil enabled hearing aid and would benefit from a telecoil compatible headset. You can also contact a hearing aid manufacturer or distributer for information on the features of the hearing aids that they carry.  It is best to have the brand name and model number handy when inquiring about the features of a hearing aid.

A voice amplifier might be used as an accommodation for an individual who has difficulty speaking loudly enough to be heard in noisy environments or who has a medical need to speak softly due to voice limitations. Amplifiers can be personal, portable, hand-held or body worn systems, or large area sound field or public address systems.

Redesigning a worksite as an accommodation can include moving a workstation closer to a break room, restroom, office equipment, or employee parking lot; duplicating work materials in a workspace; teleconferencing into meetings; having others report to the employee physically; or communicating in an alternative way (instant messaging, pager, texting, or telephone). Modifying a workspace for an employee who experiences limitations in concentration can help limit or even eliminate both auditory and visual distractions. These modifications can include relocating employees to private area away from high traffic areas, reducing clutter in the employee’s work environment, redesigning an employee’s workspace to minimize visual distractions, and providing higher cubicle walls and/or cubicle doors.