Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs, HAT)

Question 1

HAT is any ______________ (except a HA or CI) that helps a ______________ or hard of hearing person _____________________ more ________________________.

Answer 1

Device; Deaf; Communicate; Effectively

Question 2

Name the 4 ways HAT can helps deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals communicate more effectively.

Answer 2

Direct Sound Amplification
Text
Visual Signals
Vibrotactile Signals

Question 3

HAT is also known as

Answer 3

AT (Assistive Technology)

Question 4

Subclass of HAT that includes technology for listening

Answer 4

ALD (Assistive Listening Devices)

Question 5

The “amplified ear” symbol seen in many public places denotes what?

Answer 5

AT (Assistive Technology) is available.

Question 6

HAT addresses the need for (4)

Answer 6

Effective face-to-face communication
Access to Media
Successful Telephone Communication
Awareness of Alerting Signals

Question 7

Types of HAT (6)

Answer 7

Personal Amplification 
Large-Area Amplification 
Telecommunication Options 
Signaling/Alerting Devices 
Computer Technology 
Speech to Text Transmission

Question 8

The biggest difficulty faced by individuals with SNHL

Answer 8

Hearing in Noise

Question 9

SNR

Answer 9

Signal to Noise Ratio - The similarity between the desired signal (speaker) vs. the undesired signal (background noise)

Question 10

Four Major Factors that influence Speech Perception

Answer 10

1. Hearing Loss
2. Background Noise
3. Reverberation
4. Distance

Question 11

The main goal of ALDs is to improve what?

How is this achieved?

Answer 11

SNR;
Amplifying Speech
Minimizing background noise and its effects
Reducing distance between listener and speaker
Reducing effects of Reverberation

Question 12

What is the best way to reduce the effects of reverberation?

Answer 12

change rooms

Question 13

What are the two classes of ALDs?

Answer 13

Wireless

Hard-Wired (not used much anymore)

Question 14

What are the 4 types of wireless ALDs?

Answer 14

FM Systems
Infrared Systems
Induction Loop
Bluetooth

Question 15

Which type of wireless ALD provides the most desirable SNR?

Answer 15

Personal FM Systems. They can be even better than digital hearing aids with directional microphones.

Question 16

How much can a personal FM system improve SNR?

Answer 16

15-20 dB in SNR improvement

Question 17

For every ________ dB of SNR improvement, there is ________ improvement of speech understanding.

Answer 17

1; 10%

Question 18

4 Components of a Wireless ALD

Answer 18

Microphone
Transmitter
Receiver
Coupler

Question 19

This component of an ALD picks up sound waves and converts them to electrical signal

Answer 19

Microphone

Question 20

This component of an ALD sends sound via an FM carrier signal, infrared light or electromagnetic energy to the receiver

Answer 20

Transmitter

Question 21

This component of an ALD converts energy back to sound, electromagnetic energy or electrical signal

Answer 21

Receiver

Question 22

This component of an ALD receives the sound signal at or in the ear

Answer 22

Coupler

The coupler can be Hearing Aids, a Cochlear Implant, a speaker or headphones

Question 23

T/F Signal from an FM system can travel through walls.

Answer 23

True

Question 24

T/F An FM system cannot be used outdoors.

Answer 24

False

Question 25

The "T" switch on a HA does what?

Answer 25

Switches the HA over to telecoil mode.

Question 26

When is the T-Coil mode most likely used?

Answer 26

For telephone conversations | For use with ALDs

Question 27

What two advantages does "T" only mode provide?

Answer 27

No Feedback | Cuts out background noise

Question 28

A sound system or stand alone microphone delivering audio to a room-installed coil that emits a magnetic field

Answer 28

Induction Loop

Question 29

How many t-coil equipped listeners can receive the signal in an induction loop?

Answer 29

It's Unlimited

Question 30

What is the advantage of a DAI

Answer 30

Something is plugged directly into the hearing aid, so there is less distortion.

Question 31

What is the big disadvantage of a DAI system?

Answer 31

Being tethered

Question 32

What are some applications for a Soundfield FM System?

Answer 32

Mild or Unilateral HL Central Auditory Processing Disorder (helps focus) Learning Disability ADD/ADHD

Question 33

How does an FM system assist a student diagnosed with ADD/ADHD?

Answer 33

SNR improvement helps kids focus on what is being said by a teacher, etc.

Question 34

What are the two types of Soundfield FM Systems?

Answer 34

``` Classroom Systems (speakers) Desktop Systems ```

Question 35

How is an FM system best set up for optimal SNR improvement?

Answer 35

Using an FM-only setting

Question 36

What should be done periodically when an FM system is in use?

Answer 36

Listening Checks

Question 37

System that uses invisible light waves to transmit sound from a transmitter connected to the sound source (TV/radio) to a receiver

Answer 37

Infrared system

Question 38

T/F IR beams can penetrate barriers

Answer 38

False. IR restricted to line-of-sight.

Question 39

T/F IR Systems can be used outdoors

Answer 39

False. IR does not work in sunlight.

Question 40

What are the advantages of an IR System?

Answer 40

No Interference | Private

Question 41

What are the disadvantages of an IR System?

Answer 41

Chin-bar receivers Awkward Line of Sight necessary susceptible to light interference

Question 42

Factors Influencing ALD Selection

Answer 42

``` Degree of HL Type of HA Listening Environment Device Features Cost Portability, Flexibility, Cost Needs and Preference of Listener ```

Question 43

What are some examples of HAT that does not involve sound amplification?

Answer 43

Rear Window Captioning at Movie Theater Speech-to-Text Transcription Signaling Devices

Question 44

CART

Answer 44

Computer Assisted Real Time Translation

Question 45

Transcription system where a stenographic machine is connected to a computer and software converts stenographic code into English text.

Answer 45

CART (Computer Assisted Real Time Translation)

Question 46

What are the 3 types of Alerting Stimuli?

Answer 46

Visual Auditory Vibrotactile

Question 47

What are some examples of Signaling Devices

Answer 47

``` Wake up alarms Telephone-TTY Alerts Doorbell/Door Knock Alerts Baby Cry Signalers Timers Smoke Alarms w/ strobes Vibrating Pagers Hearing Dogs ```

Question 48

Prior to selecting AT, a __________________ needs _________________ is crucial.

Answer 48

Comprehensive; Assessment