What is a hat?

Hearing Assistive Technology (HAT) is an umbrella term for hearing assistive devices, warning devices, and telephony devices that make sound sources more accessible and improve communication access for people with hearing loss. These devices and systems often augment information from hearing aids, cochlear implants, or other personal hearing devices, although some HATs can be used even when no personal hearing device is used. can be used. HAT helps improve the listening experience to get as much information as possible from the person and environment you are talking to.

What are Hearing Assistance Systems and Devices?

Hearing systems and hearing aids allow people with hearing loss to pick up sound from a source and deliver it directly to their ears, reducing the effects of distance, environmental noise and reverberation.

What is the difference between a listening system and a device? Systems are designed to handle larger spaces, are often installed, and may provide one signal to many people. Auxiliary hearing devices are typically used for one-on-one conversations and are often wired devices such as personal amplifiers.

If you just bought a hearing device, why do you need another listening device?

Hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other hearing aids are great, but they don’t do it all. Hearing in noise is especially tricky for hearing aids that work best in one-on-one conversations. Dr. Cynthia Compton Conley said:

hearing aid system [act] As “ear binoculars”. Just like binoculars take distant, hard-to-see images and bring them closer to your eyes to make them easier to see. Placing the microphone close to the speaker’s mouth picks up the intended speech and sends it directly to the listener’s ears before it loses energy across the room and is degraded by noise and reverberation.

Listening systems include hearing loops, FM (also known as RF) systems, infrared (IR) listening systems, and other systems that have been around for a long time. The difference between these three is that the signal (someone’s voice) is conveyed to the receiver using different techniques. Each must use a microphone to capture sound, each must use its own technology to transmit sound, and then each must be coupled to a receiver. That is, a telecoil inside the hearing aid for listening loops, or (for hearing aids with a telecoil) connecting to an FM or IR receiver via a headset or neckloop.

Listening systems are going through a period of intense innovation and experimentation. Cutting-edge technologies such as Wi-Fi and newer Bluetooth systems are beginning to offer alternative methods of transmitting signals to receivers that connect to hearing aids. Be aware of new developments and test as many systems as possible to find one that works well.

What is an “alarm device”?

An alarm device is a technology that uses audible and/or tactile or visual signals to replace devices that provide too soft or high pitched sounds in a manner that is difficult to hear. These devices can emit loud or pitch-varying sounds for easy listening, like cell phone alerts. It shakes like an alarm clock that wakes you up with vibration. Or provide video instead of audio like a “ring” doorbell. Or it can light up like a strobe smoke detector.

phone

Over time, telephones have become more and more accessible to people with hearing impairments. Specialized desk phones can elevate the sound to life-enhancing levels. The Internet Protocol Captioning Relay Service (IP CTS) is a hearing-impaired-only service that allows you to read what you can’t hear on a specially designed phone or mobile phone app.

Mobile phone makers seem to be racing to offer the most accessible products possible. From hearing aid-enabled mobile phones that connect directly to hearing aids via Bluetooth (BT), to multiple cameras that enable video chat, to those that provide captions on the phone itself, these products are better and easier to understand. It becomes a thing. phone conversation.

where is the hat?

Unfortunately, very few stores offer HATs. What we do have is a mail-order and internet-based store that sells much of this equipment online. To find them, simply search the web for ‘products for the hearing impaired’. You’ll find many options for purchasing the kind of equipment you need to make life a little easier for those with hearing loss.