SHHH Exhibit Hall

SHHH Exhibit Hall - Part 4

1. Richard Uzanis of HITEC gave me a grand tour of some exciting new products and services. He gave me a quick demonstration of the TextLink 9100 mobile digital TTY which operates on the international V.18 and CTM standards. It's speedier than the other current TTYs, and it can still communicate with the old Baudot machines as well as ASCII. It can be used anywhere in the world. Small and lightweight, it's easy to carry. It was first introduced in England, where it was tested by British Telecom and Royal National Institute of the Deaf. With an integrated PC modem capability and optional PC Link software, you can connect to a PC and turn the PC into a TTY. Features include direct connect with two built in telephone jacks, Caller ID, call progress to tell you if the phone is ringing or busy, auto answer to take messages. There's 1000K of memory that can be used to save phone numbers, memos, auto answer messages. List price is $459.

HITEC also has several amplified cordless phones with features ranging from Caller ID in the handset to digital answering machines. Amplification is up to 30 dB. But what caught my attention was the WorldView TTY 2200. A compact computer workstation, the HT-WV400DT is priced at $899, it currently includes a TTY/Fax modem, Windows 98, 15" LCD flat panel monitor, 3.2 GB hard disk storage, 32 MB video RAM, USB prot, 56K v.90 Internet access, voice & fax modem, CD-ROM drive, 3.5" floppy drive, keyboard, mouse. There are also laptop and portable hand-held versions. HITEC upgrades the system as processors and memory chips advance.

I tested the HT-WV400DT with another HITEC offering, the Worldview NTS Networked TTY services. HITEC's basic WV-NTS system has TTY application software, TTY connectivity hardware, network conectivity hardware, high performance application server, port license, client-user licenses for one port, five-user system. The system can be expanded to any size and starts at $4,999. It offers TTY access to voice menu systems because any PC on the LAN or WAN can function as a TTY. Uzanis told me that the state of Illinois is putting this in many offices through a contract by the Illinois central agency for contracting, Central Management Services in Springfield, because the state recognized that this is one way for it to become compliant with federal access laws such as Section 504, 508, and 255 of various acts. The system I tested for TTY-type conversations had flexibility for those with visual impairments, with choice of font size, color of font and background. Note: the system is not yet Mac compatible. Contact: 800-288-8303 V/TTY, http://www.hitec.com.

2. Ultratec's booth was very popular, with its free calls on the new CapTel phone. Many people love the ease of use. Unlike current voice carry over calls, for which you must first dial the relay number, on a CapTel phone you simply dial the number you are calling. The phone itself connects you to the person you are calling and another person who uses advanced voice recognition technology to re-voice the callers words, which then appear on the CapTel phone as captions. Users are saying it's as good or better than 2-line voice carry over, but you only need one telephone line. Contact: http://www.ultratec.com.

3. Lightspeed Technologies was exhibiting a number of amplification systems and accessories, mostly focusing on those for use in classrooms. Their LES-700 is an infrared system with a pendant-style microphone, amplifier/mixer, infrared sensor, speakers, and optional mic for team teaching. Educational discount cost is $850. The LES- 390A ($795) is a desktop personal sound field system that can be carried from room to room and is Phonak MicroLink compatible, rechargeable. It consists of a receiver/amplifier, belt pack transmitter, and headset mic. The LES-360 ($395) personal FM system is also Phonak Microlink compatible, has a locking volume control, recharging system. It consists of a belt-pack transmitter, belt-pack receiver and adjustable headphone for smaller children. Their fact sheet for in-service training has such information as: Maximum noise level recommended for a good learning environment is 35-40 dB but average ambient noise levels in grades K-6 are over 60 dB. Every doubling of distance from the teacher drops the voice level 75%.

Contact: 1-800-732-8999; http://www.lightspeed-tek.com.

4. Audex has some of the best sales of the conference, and I stocked up on several of their products at last year's conference. I love their wireless infrared system for TV watching and the clever design that incorporates a neckloop that doubles as a neckstrap. They also have a cost-effective "Rattler" portable infrared emitter that produces a broad pattern suitable for meetig rooms, courtrooms, etc. I picked up more information about their "Texas Pyramid" infrared emitter, which I've heard several tech types mention as a good option for listening around a conference table.

I also spent a lot of my time trying to find information for our Loudoun Outreach specialist Joan Cassidy, who knew that Audex had been working with cruise lines. Bill Shepard confirmed that they are putting assistive listening systems on three Carnival shops, but was not able to get the names of the ships. He did, however, give me the contact person. It is Kay Strauderman, who is based in Carnival's Miami office. Call the Carnival information number at 1-800-555-1212 and ask for Kay. Audex is also talking with Holland America.

Contact: http://www.audex.com.

5. Sharon Judlowitz of Widex was talking up its new Senso Diva, a 100% digital hearing aid. Features include enhanced speech intensification system, feedback cancellation, noise reduction, extended battery life, and a locator. You can select a special music program for listening to music in the in-the-ear model or behind-the- ear model, but not the tiny completely in-the canal model. Contact: http://www.widexusa.com.

6. New with Hal-Hen Company is the Conversor from sense-sonic, a compact wireless personal FM system for use in noisy situations such as parties, restaurants and cars as well as lectures, tv watching and houses of worship. The receiver can be worn above or beneath clothing. It can be used with telecoil-equipped hearing aids or a standard binaural headset. Contact: 516-294-3200.

7. Phonak's new product is the Aero BTE available in a full range of sizes and configurations. Those using the behind-the-ear models can take advantage of the Aero FM system which has a receiver that boots onto the bottom of the BTE. There are three choices for FM transmitters to make it flexible for many settings. Phonak offers several high-end FM packages ranging from adult starter packages to the complete FM package for adults who want to upgrade their BTEs to MicroLink for improved hearing performance. Phonak also is playing up its PowerZoom and AudioZoom technology to aid that old bugaboo that all the manufacturers try to beat, understanding in noise.

Contact: 800-777-7333, http://www.phonak.com.

8. Williams Sound's Andy Olson was back with the full complement of FM and infrared listening systems. They have two models of personal infrared system (WIR 950 and WIR 125) for TV watching. Two personal FM systems (PFM 300 and PFM 350) recently have an upgrade to improve the battery system and can be used in all kinds of settings. Their Pocketalker Pro with its numerous accessories still remains popular. The Williams Sound Consumer Price list with all the options for its products now runs 2 3/4 pages of small print! Contact: 1-800-843-3544 or http://www.wiliamssound.com.

9. Oticon's Randi Pogash, MS, CCC-A, told me a bit about their new Super Power technology for the Digi Focus hearing aids. The aids are FM and direct audio input compatible and are 100% digital. There's a built-in microphone/telecoil function. Oticon also distributes a report with research documentation, and the current one focuses on their approach to developing hearing aids for those with profound hearing loss.

Contact: 800-526-3921 or http://www.otinconus.com.

10. Steven Coston of Sony Ericsson gave me a tour of their numerous cell phones with access features. The T612 uses GSM and is hearing aid compatible (HAC). The T61C uses CDMA, is HAC and has a telecoil built in; it can also be used for wireless/TTY calling. The T 61Z using TDMA also has built-in VCO capability. Steve is Technical Manager of Regulatory Services.

Contact him at steve.coston@sonyericsson.com.

11. CSD now offers pager answering service. You can page your requests to a live agent who will place a call to a person without text paging capability and then provide a response back to you. Text interpreting is also provided both in person and from a remote location for such situations and classrooms, presentations to groups, etc. CSD's new fact sheet, Technical FAQs for USAVRS is a great tool for those who want to use their Video Relay Service -- http://www.usavrs.com.

Contact: 800-642-6410 V or 866-273-3323 (toll free TTY); http://www.c-s-d.org.

Parts One and Two

Part Three