alerting devices for people with hearing loss
You're in the right place if you'd like general information about
alerting devices. If you're looking for information about a specific
device or where you can buy one, please visit the Alerting
Devices portion of our Resource Directory.
Modern technology has provided a multitude of alerting
devices for people with hearing loss.
Standard alerting devices normally rely on sound to alert a person. But
sound is of little value to a hard of hearing, late deafened, or oral
deaf person. Alerting devices
for people with hearing loss generally rely on either visual signals or
vibration.
There are all kinds of devices available for people with hearing
loss. Virtually any type of audio alert is available in a format
suitable for people with hearing loss. This includes baby monitors, fire
alarms, alarm clocks, telephone (TTY) signalers, and doorbells.
Smoke Alarms are
fundamental to a feeling of well-being, because they awake us in case of
fire.
One of the big concerns of people with hearing loss is being
notified in the event of an emergency or natural disaster. We often hear
about people with hearing loss who were totally unaware of a tornado
warning or notification of other event. Fortunately there are some emergency
radios available that address this need.
Another safety issue
concerns the notification of the presence of emergency vehicles when on
the road. Many hearing people no longer hear the sirens of these
vehicles - windows up, sound system blasting), so it should be no
surprise that people with hearing loss often don't hear them. There are
some automobile alerting systems that address
this need.
If you would like additional
information on alerting devices, or would like to purchase one, see
either:
March 2003 - How do people with hearing loss wake up in the morning?
Many of them can't hear a standard alarm clock. There are a great
variety of devices that address that problem. Here's Curtis Dickerson's
articles on Alarm Clocks for People with Hearing Loss.
October 2007 - With New Device, Police Shake, Rattle
and Roll
February 2008 - New Booming Police Siren Rattles
Nerves
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
October 2007
With his lights and sirens blaring, D.C. police
officer Lou Schneider raced to an emergency call, past dozens of startled
onlookers standing on the crowded streets of the city's Chinatown area.
The ground beneath Schneider's patrol car literally was quivering. "You
know when this is coming up behind you," said Schneider, one of a few
dozen D.C. officers who are using the department's newest sirens -- the
ones that people can feel as well as hear. "It vibrates everything," he
said. Meet the Rumbler. The high-tech blaster is being used along with
the traditional siren. It is aimed at grabbing people's attention and
getting them to make room for officers responding to emergencies, helping
police navigate through traffic faster and safer. People can feel it from
about 200 feet away.
Full Story
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
February 2008
A new police siren that can be felt as well as
heard - through closed windows and inside homes and office buildings - is
rattling some people who say cops should quit the technology borrowed from
souped-up car stereos. Called the Rumbler, the speaker system emits a
low, stomach-thumping moan that makes it more noticeable than the
high-pitched wail of the traditional siren. Police departments say the
Rumbler is a great warning signal that gets the attention of drivers whose
hearing can be impaired by blasting car stereos, cellphone gabbing and
personal music players. "It has the potential to save lives," says Capt.
Jim Wells of the Florida Highway Patrol, who helped develop the Rumbler.
But detractors say the Rumbler is far too jarring and annoys more than
motorists impeding a cruiser.
Full Story
