SELF HELP FOR HARD OF HEARING PEOPLE

Assistive Listening Devices

1

Readers Guide

This table of products has been created to help you find an assistive device that is right for you. The table lists the name/model, a

picture, the price, where you can buy it and links to further information and in some cases reviews.

The products have been split into categories:

Category One: Interpersonal one-to-one:

This includes amplifiers, phones and mobiles.

Category Two: Entertainment:

This includes headphones and devices that will help you to hear the entertainment systems, such as television, more easily.

Category Three: Alerts and Alarms:

This includes clocks, fire alarms, baby monitors and more practical alerting aids.

Category Four: Group Situations and Public arenas:

This includes products for a more professional situation, such as for a business or conference setting.

Understanding key words within the table

Transmitter

2

A transmitter is the part of the product that will pick up sound, i.e. a doorbell ringing, a baby crying, a fire alarm sounding and then send

it to the receiver. The transmitter, depending on which product it is for, will need to be placed in a certain location, i.e. near the doorbell.

Receiver

The receiver is the part of the product which you have near you. It receives a signal from the transmitter and then alerts you by making a

louder sound or by vibration or in some cases both.

Shaker

A shaker is a type of receiver which is designed to be under your pillow or on your person and will specifically vibrate forcefully in order

to wake you or alert you in case of an emergency, i.e. after receiving a signal from a fire alarm transmitter.

T-switch and T-coil

A T-coil or telecoil is a very small coil of wire inside the hearing aid. This coil will react to a magnetic signal which converts to magnified

sound. The hearing aid usually gathers sound through a small microphone and then amplifies this, however sometimes this can reduce

the quality of sound or it can be less focused especially in the presence of a lot of background noise.

Basically, some products have installed this magnetic system into their phones and other devices so that you can have a better quality of

sound. A hearing aid has a small switch where you can change it to the “T” setting, this will connect your hearing aid to this magnetic

system, instead of just the microphone system. In some cases there is a loop installed in a room and when you switch your hearing aid to

the “T” setting, this will also focus the sound.

Third Party Services and Captioning

3

The table does not mention ai live media (http://au.ai-media.tv/), a captioning service where a conference call is dialed, a person from

ai live media listens to the content and then writes it up, quickly, the content is then delivered to your laptop, iPad or display within

seconds. A transcript is then also available.

It also does not mention that many venues have services available and are very helpful toward their hearing impaired patrons, make

sure that you ask the help desk or cloakroom at the venue if they have services available or you can look up the venue on google +

accessibility and this should lead you to the services that that venue has.

For example all Event Cinemas have:

- Closed captioning: Ask the box office and they will supply you with a personal device that has the captions on the screen.

- Infrared: The cinema has transmitters mounted around the cinema and this can be delivered to a receiver, such as a neck loop,

either your own or one borrowed from the cinema, this will only work if you have hearing aids. If you do not have hearing aids,

however, the cinema can supply you with a headset.

- Hearing Aid Loop: The cinema is also looped with a coil, you switch the “T” switch to on and it will pick up the sound, making it

clear. The cinema advised sitting in the middle section of seats in the back for the best sound.

The Sydney Opera House also offers hearing loops and headsets. They also have coils set up at the Box Office windows so that if you

switch to the “T” setting you will be able to hear the staff clearly.

Many places have these services but unfortunately do not advertise them properly, so make sure to ask! They should be happy to help.

4

Disclaimer

It is important to keep in mind that this table has been created by a student from the University of Technology Sydney, studying

Communication and Social inquiry. Therefore they do not hold any audiology certifications, but have done much research to complete

this table with care. This table has not been created with any endorsements from any of the companies selling these products and so is

from a neutral standpoint. We are not trying to sway you to buy any of the products, we only hope that it may help you to find something

that can assist you within your everyday life and hopefully make some portion of your day a little easier.

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Category One: Interpersonal one-to-one

Product Picture Features Price Purchase

From:

Reference

1.

Oricom EC085-1

Amplified Digital

Cordless

Telephone

Adjustable, extra loud ring

Flashing light call alert

One-touch volume boost.

Compatible with your

hearing aid “T” switch.

Ideal for people with low to

moderate hearing loss.

Suitable for a noisy office

environment.

RRP $59.95

Australian

Hearing

Harvey Norman

Oricom

<www.oricom.com.au/ec

o85-1wh.html>

2.

Oricom PRO610-1

Amplified Digital

Cordless Phone

Extra loud ring

Flashing light call alert.

One-touch volume boost.

Compatible with your

hearing aid “T” switch.

RRP $139.00

Your audiologist

www.oricom.com.au/ori

com-care-

phones/cordless-

phones/pro610-1-

amplified-digital-

cordless-phone.html

6

Ideal for people with low to

moderate hearing loss.

Suitable for a noisy office

environment.

Review:

www.productreview.co

m.au/p/oricom-pro610-

1-amplified-digital-

cordless.html

3.

Artone Bluetooth

Loopset

This is a receiver which you

wear around your neck.

When you receive a phone

call it transmits sound to

your hearing aid.

Uses Bluetooth and is

compatible with your

mobile phone.

Instead of using your

mobile phone, simply press

the button in the middle

and the sound will come

RRP $159.00

Printacall

Amazon

www.printacall.com.au/

product/artone-

bluetooth-loopset/

Review:

www.amazon.com/ss/cu

stomer-

reviews/B000TZ1R08/r

ef=?_encoding=UTF8&*V

ersion*=1&*entries*=0

7

through your hearing aid. It

does this by using the T-

coil.

Charge in your car or on

your computer.

Up to 8 hours of talk time.

Suitable for people with

moderate to high hearing

loss.

It would also be good for

people who have travel

throughout the day.

4.

Oricom TP100

Corded Care

Phone

Large buttons and

amplified sound.

Hearing aid compatible;

simply switch your hearing

aid to the “T” setting.

Flashing light call alert.

This phone is a very simple

RRP $129.00

Oricom

Printacall

www.printacall.com.au/

product/oricom-tp100/

8

design

5.

Oricom

EZY100 GSM Big

Button Mobile

Phone

Large buttons

Easy to read, high contrast

screen.

Good for basics:

sending/receiving text

messages and for making

and receiving calls.

SOS emergency button.

Hearing aid compatible,

simply switch your hearing

aid to the “T” setting.

Loud ring and vibration to

alert you of incoming calls.

For people with moderate

hearing loss, also be ideal

for people with vision

impairment.

RRP $99.95

Oricom

www.oricom.com.au/ezy

100-gsm-big-button-

mobile-phone.html

Reviews:

www.productreview.co

m.au/p/oricom-ezy120-

gsm-big-button.html

9

6.

Doro PhoneEasy®

506

Extra Loud sound

Easy to read, high contrast

screen.

Good for basics:

sending/receiving text

messages and for making

and receiving calls.

Vibrates

RRP $45.00

Allphones

www.doro.com.au/prod

ucts/Mobile-phones-

and-accessories/Doro-

PhoneEasy-506/#Find-

retailer

Reviews:

www.tesco.com/direct/d

oro-phoneeasy-506-

black/258-8846.prd

Youtube(video) Review:

https://www.youtube.co

m/watch?v=CJpNYL6md

4w

10

7.

Doro PhoneEasy®

623 OPTUS

Camera

Flip Phone design

Extra Loud sound

Easy to read, high contrast

screen.

Good for basics:

sending/receiving text

messages and for making

and receiving calls.

Vibrates

RRP $119.00

Optus

www.optus.com.au/shop

/prepaidmobile/doro/p

honeeasy-623

Reviews:

www.pcworld.idg.com.a

u/review/doro/phoneea

sy_615/433773/

11

Category Two: Entertainment

Product Picture Features Price Purchase From: Reference

8.

Sennheiser A 200

Headphone and

transmitter

Amplifies sound for people

with slight to moderate

hearing impairment

easy to operate

Can adjust the direction of

sound

RRP $230.00

JB Hi-Fi

Harvey Norman

Myer

en-

au.sennheiser.com/tv-

listening-wireless-

headphones-tv-radio-

music-a-200

9.

Sennheiser RS 180

Extremely clear sound

Can listen to the television

through the headphones

even if it is on mute.

Adjust the sound directly

RRP $349.00

JB Hi-Fi

en-

au.sennheiser.com/digit

al-headphones-wireless-

home-audio-rs-

180#product_data

Reviews:

12

from the headphones

www.cnet.com/au/prod

ucts/sennheiser-rs-180-

headphones/

Youtube review:

https://www.youtube.co

m/watch?v=GHIi5NGXO

Og

10.

Sennheiser

Set 840 S

Directly connectable to a

TV, hi-fi system or radio

Receiver can be connected

to hearing aids

Customised sound

Three hearing settings on

the transmitter

Treble emphasis can be

individually set

Large volume control

Clear product labelling

Time of up to 12 hours

RRP $479.00

Printacall

Word of Mouth

Technology

https://printacall.com.au

/product/sennheiser-

set-840s/

en-

au.sennheiser.com/tv-

listening-system-infra-

red-hearing-aid-

wearers-set-830-s

Reviews (Click on the

“review button on the

13

Spare battery

right hand side of the

screen):

www.bhphotovideo.com

/c/product/791319-

REG/Sennheiser_SET840

S_Set_840_S_Wireless.ht

ml

11.

Sennheiser

Set 830-TV

Enables assistive listening

anywhere in the room.

Connects to a TV, hi-fi

system or radio

Customised stereo sound

Three selectable hearing

settings

Treble emphasis

Cordless mobility

Large volume control

Silicon ear buds, should be

comfortable

RRP $446.00

d-store

Word of Mouth

Technology

https://dstore.com.au/b

uy/sennheiser-set-830-

listening-system-

15871184?utm_source=

googauprodfeed&utm_m

edium=cpc&gclid=CLfM4

Pni-

cACFVcSvQodjkEAdw

en-

au.sennheiser.com/wirel

ess-tv-headphone-

stethoset-stereo-

14

Clear product labelling

operating time of up to 12

hours

spare battery

listening-system-set-

830-tv

12.

Sennheiser

a-200

A stereo personal sound

amplifier for people who

may sometimes need to

rely on artificial assistance

for their hearing.

Cordless mobility

Easy to operate

Can adjust the frequency

RRP $231.00

Amazon

en-

au.sennheiser.com/tv-

listening-wireless-

headphones-tv-radio-

music-a-200

www.amazon.com/Senn

heiser-A200-DIOPORT-

PERSONAL-

LISTENING/dp/B000WC

BJA6

Reviews:

15

www.bhphotovideo.com

/c/product/721290-

REG/Sennheiser_SET830

_TV_Set_830_TV_Wireles

s_Infrared.html

13.

Sennheiser

In-Ear

Headset

MM 70s

High quality clear sound

Can use with mobile phone

Outside-noise cancellation

Small and compact

RRP $120.00

Amazon

en-

au.sennheiser.com/stere

o-headset-volume-call-

control-mm-70s

16

14.

Sennheiser

CXC 700

High quality clear sound

Made for travel

High degree of noise

cancellation

Ideal for crowded spaces

RRP $216.00

JB Hi-Fi

en-

au.sennheiser.com/head

set-headphones-smart-

phones-mobile-cxc-700

17

Category Three: Alerts and Alarms

Product Picture Features Price Purchase From: Reference

15.

Bellman™

Pro Alarm

Clock

Large easy to read display

Large vibrating alert pad

LED light for use in day and

night with four flashes

Optional

vibration/alarm/flash

Increasing in volume alarm

RRP

$149.00

Printacall

www.printacall.com.au/

product/bellman-pro-

alarm-clock/

16.

Sonic Alert

BC400 Baby

Cry

Transmitter

SKU: SA

Adjustable sensitivity

control

Plugs into any electrical

outlet

No flashing in baby's

room

RRP: $49.95

Amazon

www.amazon.com/Sonic

-Alert-Remote-Receiver-

SA-

SA101/dp/B000YL5O4

W

https://www.harriscom

18

BC400 A light to show that it is

working

m.com/review/product/

list/id/1681/category/6

7/

Reviews:

www.harriscomm.com/r

eview/product/list/id/1

681/category/67/

17.

Sonic Alert

Sonic Siren

RH 100

Receiver

Works with the previous

product

Receives signal and alerts

loud siren

Alerting sound can be

adjusted

RRP: 49.95

Amazon

www.harriscomm.com/s

a-rh100.html

19

18.

Bellman™

Visit Baby

Cry

Transmitter

Place near your baby

Alerts you when your baby

cries.

Sends signal to a receiver

which will flash, vibrate

and/or beep

RRP:

$209.00

Printacall

www.tunstallheal

thcare.com.au/gl

obal-map

bellman.com/en/for-

professionals/product-

support/visit-

notification-

system/visit-

transmitters/baby-cry-

transmitter/

19.

Bellman™

Visit

Bedshaker

A receiver

Vibrates to alert you when

sleeping

Put under your pillow

Can be connected to

Bellman Visit Baby Cry

Transmitter, Bellman™ Visit

Portable Receiver,

the Bellman™ Visit

Charger, theBellman™ Visit

RRP:

$49.00

Printacall

Word of Mouth

Technology

www.printacall.com.au/

product/bellman-visit-

bedshaker/

www.wom.com.au

20

Flash and the Bellman™ Pro

Alarm clock.

20.

Bellman™

Visit Door

Transmitter

Install near your doorbell

Alerts you when your

doorbell rings via receiver

RRP $139.00

Printacall

www.printacall.com.au/

product/bellman-door-

transmitter/

21.

Bellman™

Visit Flash

A receiver

Uses strobe lights

Different coloured lights

RRP:

$249.00

Printacall

Word Of Mouth

Technology

www.printacall.com.au/

product/bellman-visit-

flash/

www.wom.com.au

22.

Bellman™

Visit Pager

A receiver

Receives alerts from

multiple transmitters

RRP $379

Printacall

Word of Mouth

Technology

www.printacall.com.au/

product/bellman-visit-

pager/

www.wom.com.au

21

Different signals for

different alarms

23.

Bellman™

Visit Smoke

Alarm

Detects smoke

Alerts you via receiver

RRP $139.00

Printacall

www.printacall.com.au/

product/bellman-visit-

smoke-alarm/

24.

Phonic Ear

Call™

A receiver

Amplifies sound from phone

ringing, the doorbell etc.

RRP

$281.00

Printacall

www.printacall.com.au/

product/phonic-ear-call/

25.

Portable

Door Chime

Portable

A range of 30 metres

Alerts you if the doorbell is

RRP $79.00

P

rintacall

www.printacall.com.au/

product/portable-door-

chime/

22

ringing

Flashing lights

Loud sound

26.

Sonic Alert

SBP100™

Portable Clock

Ideal for travel

Vibrate and/or sound alert

RRP $60

Printacall

www.printacall.com.au/

product/sonic-alert/

27.

Vibralarm™

Clock and

Vibralarm™

Bedshaker

Extra loud alarm sound

Shaker vibrates to wake you

up without disturbing

others.

Use alarm sound and

vibration together or

separately

Alarm:

RRP $190

Bedshaker:

RRP $54

Printacall

www.printacall.com.au/

product/vibralarm/

www.printacall.com.au/

product/vibralarm-

bedshaker/

23

28.

VibraLIT3

Watch

12 and 24hr time

Vibration alarm

Beep alarm

Timer

Backlight

RRP $135

Printacall

www.printacall.com.au/

product/vibralite3/

24

Category Four: Group Situations and Public arenas

Product Picture Features Price Purchase From: Reference

29.

I-Amp 20

induction loop

amplifier

Designed for small

conference rooms

Provides amplified sound

in the room

RRP $579.00

Le Creme

Production

Services.com.au

www.lecreme.com.au/pr

oducts/i-amp-20-

induction-loop-amplifier

30.

Contacta Portable

Information Loop

for Hearing Aid

Wearers - 710772

Direct sound through

hearing aid wearer’s t-coil

• Adds clarity to

conversations and

meetings

• Compact and portable -

sits on desktop

• Built-in microphone,

amplifier, induction loop

aerial

RRP $265.00

Hearmore.com

Amazon

www.hearmore.com/sto

re/cart.asp?idstore=6

www.hearmore.com/sto

re/prodView.asp?idprod

uct=11790&idstore=6&p

roduct=Portable-

Information-Loop-for-

Hearing-Aid-Wearers

25

• Includes rechargeable

battery, charger & carry

case

31.

Univox

DLS-50 Loop

Amplifier- Loop

Pad-Audio Cable

Direct sound to your

hearing aids

Good for looping a chair at

home, office chair or car

seat

Hear TV, stereo, MP3 &

other sound sources clearly

RRP: $223.00

Amazon

www.hearmore.com/sto

re/prodView.asp?idprod

uct=11793&idstore=6&p

roduct=DLS-50-Loop-

Amplifier--Loop-Pad-

Audio-Cable

https://www.audioprod

ucts.com.au/BrandProdu

cts.aspx?Brand=UNIVOX

&Cat=299

32.

Williams Sound

Hearing HotSpot

Counter

Designed for businesses

Helps customers with

hearing aids to hear clearly

Uses T-coil

Portable

RRP $269.00

Pro AV solutions

av-

iq.com.au/avcat/ctl8438

/index.cfm?manufacture

r=williams-

sound&product=pla-90

26