Sound that is communicated through audio devices such as televisions and speakers can be poor in quality, contain interference and be misheard due to distractions, especially in group settings, for those that are hard of hearing or deaf.
A range of equipment is now available to improve sound quality people with hearing impairment needing to listen to the television:
- earphones or headphones can be plugged directly into the television if watching alone to ensure sound is transmitted directly to the ear
- induction loops—the 'T' switch or telecoil on a hearing aid can be activated and allow transmission of sound from the TV via a neckloop direct to the aid which helps to eliminate background noise and improve speech and sound clarity
- infra-red systems are small transmitters that are used to convert sound into infra red light waves which are picked up by individual headsets with volume controls. The headsets can be connected to hearing aids and then used to hear TV and radio
- wireless personal hearing systems which use wireless wideband technology to highlight speech in difficult listening situations
- television amplifiers can be used if watching television with other people which don’t affect the volume for them. A microphone is attached to the TV speakers and connected to earphones or a neckloop that transmits signals directly to the hearing aid.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
Introducing a hearing system for televisions into the workplace can allow people with hearing impairment to more readily access information such as training videos and health and safety information.
For more information about other alternative listening systems see the links below:
References
Australia Hearing 2010, Assistive Listening Devices, Australian Government Department of Human Services, Sydney, viewed 4 May 2011, http://www.hearing.com.au/assistive-listening-devices.
Hearing Link Tasmania 2011, Television and Personal Amplifiers and Alerting Systems, Tasmanian Deaf Society Inc, North Hobart, viewed 4 May 2011, http://www.hearinglink.com.au/technology.php?id=27.
Independent Living Centre NSW 2009, Sennheiser Infra-Red Systems, Independent Living Centre NSW, Parramatta, viewed 4 May 2011, http://www.ilcnsw.asn.au/items/2827?topic_header=models_and_options.