Assistive Listening Devices

Sometimes there can be interference or a break in the transmission.

●      A clear line of sight between the transmitter and receiver(s) will give best results.
●      Hiding the transmitter behind books, tins etc will decrease coverage dramatically irrespective of frequency of transmission.  
●      Be aware when using the system outdoors, that obstructions and weather can get in the way of the signal from transmitter to receiver.
●      Within a room, blind spots will occur if a metal structure or other obstructions are between the transmitter and receiver.

The NDCS publication explains about your rights in the UK, for getting a Radio Aid for your child (page 35). Parents of CYP in independent schools who are not supported by the LA, may have to fund it themselves.

There are some CYP who do not have a measurable level of deafness but find listening to and processing information difficult.  Assistive listening technology can be a useful tool for these CYP.  The research below gives examples.

The MESHGuide for Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) outlines specific reference for APD.

This video shows how hearing aids and a radio aid helped a girl with auditory neuropathy

Assistive Listening Device: ‘Assistive Listening Device’ (ALD), also known as assistive listening systems (ALS) and in the USA, hearing assistive technology (HAT), is used to describe personal devices which help overcome deafness.  These can be stand alone or used in conjunction with hearing devices such as hearing aids.

Some hearing aids may use an audio shoe to connect a receiver to the hearing aid. Some hearing aids have a receiver installed in the hearing aid which is activated using a code from a purchased receiver. The manuals that come with the systems explain how to use them.

Hearing devices can be connected to a variety of other technology to give the CYP direct access to eg mobiles, gaming consoles, TV, iPad or tablet, mobile phones, smart board.

Some assistive listening devices can be used to do this, either by bluetooth or using direct input leads.

The Connevans website allows you to see the technology that is compatible with your hearing aids

Assistive listening technology can be very useful in everyday life, including access to online gaming and other media content.  Deaf CYP often find themselves in difficult listening environments eg toddlers in pushchairs, horse riding, bike riding, the car, supermarket, music and drama rehearsals, listening to music, phone, TV, restaurant, cafe, the park.

Top tips

Engage directly with the CYP as appropriate.

The aim is to ensure that all CYP and especially those who may have a temporary or permanent deafness and those with auditory processing/listening in noise challenges can listen and learn effectively in their educational setting.  How intelligible speech is to a CYP will depend on how background noise can be reduced or eliminated and the acoustic quality of the educational setting, ie how much sound reverberates (or echoes) around the room.  The greater the reverberation, the less the CYP will be able to hear the person speaking.

Studies

The fitting a radio aid with a cochlear implant user needs careful timing and planning.  It may seem unusual that an older child who has previously been using an assistive listening device, post CI surgery may need to wait before resuming the use of an assistive listening device.  This is because in the first six months post-implant, the CYP will have many tuning appointments at the Implant Centre.