People who don't have hearing loss often make the assumption that once a deaf person has a hearing aid, their problem is solved.

It doesn't actually work that way – hence the need for solutions such as radio aids and streamers. Hearing aids are set to work optimally at a fixed distance of two metres, and they can only work with the residual hearing of the user. A radio aid is essentially a transmitting microphone and a receiver (most often a neck loop) which works with the hearing aid, enabling the user to listen to conversations; TV; music; mobile phone – lightweight and portable, they can go wherever needed.

Streamers work with hearing aids that have a built-in receiver, and stream sound received from another transmitter.

You can read more detailed information from iHear, here

 

An exciting new development for people with visual impairment. MyReader and MyEye are products that provide a new way to read text, identify products and recognise faces.

Both consist of a small camera and personal speaker, attached to a pair of glasses (you can probably use your own prescription glasses or sunglasses: most are suitable), and a control unit/battery which is about the size of a glasses case and weighs a few ounces. They are connected by a thin cable, so the control unit can be slipped in a pocket, or clipped to a belt. The internal battery is rechargeable and is designed to last for a full day of reasonable use. The total weight of the head unit is just 25 grams. 

Read more details from Sight and Sound, here

 

The Easylink wire-free smoke alarm for deaf people was first introduced to market during 1987. A smoke detector with integral alarm transmitter is used to signal a bedside alarm, which has a powerful under pillow vibrating pad and a bright xenon style flashing strobe LED to wake a sleeping deaf person.

Just about 30 years later, the company has launched a new version. The system comprises a smoke alarm with an integral radio signaling transmitter that signals a bedside alarm. The bedside alarm uses modern high-intensity LEDs for a visual alert and a vibrating pad (pillow shaker) that is placed under the pillow or bed mattress.

You can see more details here

 

Talking watches are not exactly new, but it's good to know that they are definitely keeping up with general horological developments!

The model shown here, from Able2, has an RNIB-approved easy to read analogue face, in addition to a clear English voice speaking the time and date. It is also radio controlled, adjusting itself automatically to local time, wherever there is an atomic signal (including switching from British Summer Time to Greenwich Mean Time when appropriate). And so that you don't have to worry about replacing fiddly batteries, it is solar powered...

You can read more here

 

As mobile phones become smarter and more feature-rich, they may be ever more useful for many of us, but for others they are just too difficult to manage.

With visual impairment, fine text and fiddly buttons are a real challenge. A made-to-order simple mobile phone which does nothing but make and receive phone calls may be the solution.

Ownfone is programmed with up to 12 numbers – it can be as few as two – and the buttons are large and clearly marked. They can be labelled in Braille. It will only make calls to the predefined numbers, but will receive calls from anyone you wish.

There are more details here

 

Network Rail has launched a new smartphone app which will help enable deaf people who use British Sign Language (BSL) to access a range of information to assist them to use level crossings safely.

The Signly Network Rail app launch forms part of a new campaign that aims to support people with visual, hearing or mobility impairment, who may face additional challenges when using a level crossing.

Read more here

HSBC has recently rolled out instant access to a BSL interpreter in their branches, so that deaf customers who use BSL can now walk in off the street, connect to the bank's Wi-Fi, and be put in contact straightaway with an interpreter, who will then relay their communication to a member of the branch staff. This is a development from the BSL video relay service already available at the bank's call centres.

More details here

  

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Until next time, when we will be looking at pressure management.

All good wishes,

Frances