Devices for People with a Hearing Impairment

1 Victorian Deaf Society ABN 56 004 058 084. Level 4, 340 Albert Street East Melbourne, Victoria 3002. p 03 9473 1111 tty 03 9473 1199 f 03 9473 1122. e w hearservice: Audiology 1300 30 20 31. Patrons Prof. David de Kretser, Governor of Victoria &. Mrs Jan de Kretser Devices FOR People WITH Hearing Impairment . Even when Hearing aids are used successfully, it is appropriate health professional. The Visual Signal common for People with a Hearing loss to Alert and similar Devices can convert the sound of experience difficulties with the telephone, television the telephone bell into a flashing light. or Hearing alarm bells, telephone bell, doorbell, alarm clock.

2 There are a number of Devices Telstra can supply equipment to help the Deaf and (Assistive Listening Devices ) available that can be Hearing impaired through the Telstra Disability used with or without Hearing aids , to help in these Equipment programme. This programme is only situations. These Devices may also be used by available to Telstra clients. People who have a Hearing loss, but are too ill or frail to manage a Hearing aid. Contact the Programme to request a brochure with an application form by phone: 1800 068 424. (voice), fax: 1800 814 777, or by TTY: 1800 808. TELEPHONE Devices 981. There are public telephones with volume controls in Portable Acoustic Amplifiers for the Telephone several parts of Melbourne and also some payphone telephone typewriters (see below).

3 These are available for People with a mild to Contact Telstra Payphone Services for locations of moderate Hearing loss, who don't use a Hearing aid. these. A range of portable telephone amplifiers are available for those with a more severe Hearing loss Telstra Standard Rental Phone T1000S who use a Hearing aid. This standard telephone from Telstra has an Digital Mobile Phones adjustable ring volume for making the alarm bell louder and volume control for amplifying the Special mobile phone attachments have been loudness of the incoming voice signal. It has an in- developed to assist People with Hearing aids that built Hearing aid coupler that can be used with the also have a Telecoil setting.

4 T switch of a Hearing aid. The T/link is a device that sits over the ear and If you are a Telstra client, you can upgrade to this transmits a magnetic field, which is detected by the phone with a standard monthly rental fee. Telstra Hearing aid Telecoil. The Hearing aid then converts also have a Big Button/Multi purpose phone which this to sound. T/links are available for most mobile has visual alert, incoming voice volume adjustment phones. Most require a suitable adaptor to connect and large buttons. into. Oricom TP100 Neck loops are also available on some mobile phones. Oricom also supply a model phone called TP100.

5 Which has a volume, tone control and also a visual If you require more information about the Telecoil alert. This phone is Hearing aid compatible and feature on your Hearing aid, you may need to offers excellent incoming voice clarity. discuss this further with your Audiologist. Alternative Telephone Alarms Music links plug into CD players/ I-pods and any The Telstra General Purpose Alarm has variable other audio output device that has a output volume, tone and pitch controls. It can be placed jack. Blue Tooth technology is also now available anywhere around the home or workplace. Telstra for People to communicate with mobile phones supplies special equipment such as General using wireless transmission.

6 Purpose Alarm and Visual Signal Alert at no extra cost over that of a standard service to Hearing impaired users on presentation of an application Devices to Convert the Telephone Signal into a form signed by an audiologist, doctor, or Visual Form DOC-INFO-07 Issue: 05. Controlled Copy Date: MAY 2010. Devices are available for People with a severe Captions can be accessed by a Teletex TV or TV. Hearing loss which send and receive a written with a Set Top Box device added. Media Access message through the telephone system. The Australia can be contacted by phone: (02) 9212. incoming and outgoing message is presented on a 6242 (voice or TTY), fax: (02) 9212 6289 or web: small visual display screen.

7 They can also supply an informative free booklet. They are known as Telephone Typewriters or TTYs. There are a number of models available and some Devices used with a Hearing Aid models also provide a printed copy of incoming and Induction Loops outgoing messages. A TTY message can only be These attach to the TV or radio and transmit a received by another TTY. A directory of TTY phone signal that can be received by Hearing aids with a numbers is available from Telstra. Eligible T switch. The induction loop may be placed in a individuals are able to rent TTYs from Telstra for a variety of places. It can be set up as a room loop small fee.

8 Under the carpet or around your favourite TV. chair . The Commonwealth Government funds a National Relay Service which relays phone calls between Deaf People , those with a Hearing Impairment ALARM CLOCKS. and/or speech Impairment and the wider community. The alternatives to a normal alarm clock bell include: Contact the National Relay Service by phone: 1800 a clock with a louder bell 555 660 (voice), TTY: 1800 555 630 or fax: 1800 an alarm clock that triggers a flashing 555 690. TTYs can also be rented through the light Telstra Disability Scheme (phone: 1800 068 424). an alarm clock that triggers a vibrator pad Please refer to our Conversing by TTY' fact sheet an alarm clock that triggers a flashing for more information.

9 Light and a vibrator pad an alarm clock that vibrates an alarm with tone (pitch) control TELEVISION Devices . These Devices help overcome problems that occur when a family or other group of People want to hear DOOR ALARMS. the TV at different volume levels. Some Devices can The type of door alarm most suitable for you be used without a Hearing aid and some Devices depends on the type and degree of Hearing loss are used together with a Hearing aid. that you have. Doorbells with low pitched buzzers, amplified bells, musical chimes and warblers, or TV Devices used without a Hearing Aid even an old fashioned doorknocker, are all potential solutions.

10 There are also Devices available that Headphones or Earphones with a Volume Control. cause lights to flash when the doorbell is rung. A. These headphones plug directly into the earphone remote control doorbell that enables you to plug the socket of the TV. Although this may eliminate sound doorbell into a power socket in which ever room you from the main speakers, many TV sets now have a are, is also available. In addition, wireless alerting switch or socket, enabling the main speaker to systems are available. continue to operate. SMOKE DETECTORS. Cordless Infra-Red Devices Wireless smoke alarms that transmit to a variety of These Devices consist of an infra-red transmitter receivers, such as flashing light, adjustable volume which is attached to the TV, VCR or radio.