Assistive listening devices (ALD) or assistive listening systems (ALS) are amplifiers that bring sound into the ear and separate sounds such as speech from background noise. They can improve speech to noise ratio, which gives a better level of hearing and understanding to the person using the device.
ALDs can be especially useful for entertainment purposes. The types of ALDs include telephone, FM, infrared and inductive loop. They all typically broadcast sound wirelessly.
Telephone amplifiers attach directly to the telephone headset and increase the volume of the telephone. FM ALDs are often used in educational settings because the body-worn transmitter provides mobility and broadcasts through radio technology. Infrared ALDs are popular for places of entertainment because the light based technology does not travel through walls. Inductive loop ALDs use electromagnetic fields to send sound without a body-worn receiver.
If you are interested in ALDs, your hearing healthcare provider can help you decide which on is best for you. Please contact our office at (818) 859-7730.
