aids for deaf
deaf people often find it difficult in our society to participate in social life and to communicate. However, there are many tools that can help the deaf to hear or express themselves better. In this article, some of these aids are presented and explained how they work and in which situations they can be used sensibly.
app
For many smartphones and iPhones, there are now good (free and paid) apps that make everyday life easier for hearing impaired.
- speech recognition programs that record the spoken, e.g. Roger Voice, Letmehearagain, Google speech recognition
- subtitle app for cinema, e.g. Cinemaconnect, Greta and Starks
- Switchlatable lightning to ringtone and alarm clock, also possible via noise recognition as a signal for doorbell and baby monitor
- emergency call app of the federal states: Nora
Bluetooth
Transmission technology for low distances, which is mainly used for telephone, cell phone, computer, radio and television.
interpreter services
In addition to sign language or font interpreters (on site or online, e.g. verbavoice) there are also various help offers and interpreting services for phone calls. For example Tess (also for mobile phone calls), signal phone (for inquiries from authorities). For the written interpreting at the workplace see experience report).
FM system
aids to be able to participate in meetings, seminars or lectures. Sender with a microphone can be hung around the speaker; Translates either directly onto the audio shoe on the hearing aid or on a telephone loop that the hearing aid wearer hangs around the neck. Can also be placed on the table at conferences or similar to "capture" all voices. The costs are sometimes covered by the health insurance companies or pension insurance providers.
light alarm clock/vibration alarm clock
alarm clock that are equipped with light flashes or vibration pads instead of acoustic signals. Is also available as a travel alarm clock or wristwatch for on the go.
light signal system
for doorbell, telephone, smoke detector, baby monitor and more. Light flashes transmitted by radio or electricity show the phone, door bell, etc. Is taken over by most health insurance companies for doorbell, telephone and smoke detector if the hearing loss is appropriate.
Emergency fax
For heavily hearing -impaired and deaf people, there is the possibility to make an emergency call by fax. A corresponding form and further details can be found at www.notfall-telefax112.de.
Scripture/sign language interpreter
The payment of font and sign language interpreters is regulated in the professional area via the integration office or work assistance. The advantage of work assistance is that you have a fixed budget that you can dispose of yourself and thus determine your interpreter yourself.
T coil, formerly also called telephone coil
Many churches, theaters and public institutions have certain areas in which ring loops can be transferred to the sermons/lectures and the like to the T-coil in the hearing aid. In the meantime, the station switch, hotel receptions and more are also equipped with these induction loops.
subtitle
In the meantime, many television channels offer their films/messages with subtitles. Example: ARD and public law regional programs (page 150) and ZDF (page 777). The subtitled programs with corresponding symbols are identified in the program magazines. You can find more detailed information and a list of the transmitters with subtitles pages at Wikipedia. Also many - commercial - internet streaming services subtitles subtitles, for example Netflix, Sky Online, Maxdome, Amazon Video.
vibration alarm
See light signal system: Alarm clock can also be equipped with vibration pads, and there are also vibration recipients (for example on the wrist) for other incoming signals (door bell, telephone, smoke alarm)