Assistive Listening Devices

Here are some suggestions for when things go wrong.

Hearing loss in the classroom  is a video that demonstrates the effect of using a radio aid in the classroom.

Before the lesson begins

Assistive listening devices (ALDs), also known as assistive listening technologies (ALTs) can provide a much-needed option for deaf children and young people (CYP) to access speech and sounds.

Listed below are useful references that are not included in the main texts.

Allen, S., Ng, Z.Y., Mulla, I.M. & Archbold, S. (2016). Using Remote Microphone technology with young children: the real-life experience of families in the UK, British Academy of Audiology, 10-11 November 2016, Glasgow, UK.

Badrak, J. S. (2017). ‘Assistive listening systems in assembly spaces’ The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 141(5): 3781-3781

Stuart Whyte has authored detailed content about test box measures in Audiology Refreshers Section 6.6.  “There are UK quality standards and practical guidance on electroacoustic measures for HAs, BCHDs, and auditory implant sound processors – most commonly CIs.

There are a variety of assistive listening device systems available.  It is a good idea to discuss the choice with your QToD or Educational Audiologist as there are a number of considerations.

The hearing aids, bone conduction hearing devices, speech processors and assistive listening devices should be checked at regularly, ie at least daily if the child is not yet able to report faults with the system, and at a frequency that is agreed with the young person/parent who have established checking routines. This will ensure that they have the best possible signal to hear the speaker's voice.

There is a range of ALDs available, and a personal radio aid or propriety microphone device might be recommended in educational and/or home settings.

They have the potential to greatly enhance deaf CYP’s listening experiences by making speech more audible in situations where distance, background noise and reverberation make listening difficult.  The radio aid works by making the sound/speech the CYP needs to hear, such as the teacher’s voice, clearer in relation to unwanted background noise and helps to overcome the problems of hearing speech at a distance.

Articles on assistive listening devices have featured in BATOD Magazines. The Magazines are for BATOD members only. Contact BATOD via exec@batod.org.uk for further information.

This column gives the more technical side of setting up the system to ensure that it works optimally and gives the desired signal advantage.  There are links to videos and instructions on how to set up devices with various hearing devices.