Communication extends far beyond hearing aids alone. Assistive listening devices bridge the gap between hearing technology and real-world situations, providing specialized solutions for telephone conversations, television viewing, and public venues. Coastal Mobile Hearing offers a comprehensive selection of these devices to enhance your daily communication and connection with others.
Telephone Captioning Services
For many people with hearing loss, telephone conversations remain challenging even with hearing aids. Captioning services transform phone calls into readable text, ensuring you never miss important information.
- CapTel (Captioned Telephone) combines the functionality of a standard telephone with real-time captions. During your conversation, a trained operator uses voice recognition technology to transcribe the caller’s words, which appear on the phone’s built-in screen. You speak directly to the caller as usual, while reading their responses. The service is free for qualifying individuals and works with your existing phone number.
- CaptionCall operates similarly but features a larger, easy-to-read screen and enhanced sound quality. The phone includes adjustable font sizes, customizable audio settings, and the ability to save captions for later review. Professional installation ensures optimal setup, and the streamlined design fits seamlessly into your home.
- InnoCaption brings captioning technology to your mobile devices and home phones. This app-based solution provides real-time captions on your smartphone, tablet, or computer screen during phone calls. The flexibility to use your existing devices makes it an excellent choice for active lifestyles. Features include customizable text size, color themes for easier reading, and the ability to save transcript histories.
Auracast Technology
Auracast represents the future of assistive listening in public spaces. This new Bluetooth technology enables audio streaming from public broadcast systems directly to hearing aids and cochlear implants equipped with Bluetooth LE Audio.
Imagine entering a noisy restaurant and instantly connecting to their Auracast transmitter, bringing the background music to a comfortable level while maintaining conversation clarity. Or attending a lecture where the speaker’s voice streams directly to your hearing devices, eliminating distance and reverberation issues. Auracast-enabled venues might include:
- Theaters and performance spaces
- Houses of worship
- Airport gates and train stations
- Conference rooms and lecture halls
- Fitness centers and guided tours
As more locations adopt this technology, the seamless connection between public audio systems and personal hearing devices will revolutionize accessibility.
Additional Assistive Technologies
Beyond captioning and Auracast, numerous devices enhance specific listening situations:
TV streamers send television audio directly to your hearing aids, allowing you to enjoy programs at your preferred volume while others listen at theirs. These devices eliminate the delay between visual and audio signals that can occur with hearing aid processing.
Remote microphones capture speech from a distance and transmit it to your hearing aids. Ideal for meetings, restaurants, or car conversations, these clip-on devices help overcome background noise and distance challenges.
Alerting devices ensure you don’t miss important sounds when not wearing hearing aids. These systems use flashing lights, vibrations, or extra-loud signals to notify you of doorbells, smoke alarms, phone calls, or crying babies.
Loop systems create magnetic fields that transmit sound directly to hearing aids with telecoils. Personal loop systems work in your home, while many public venues install larger loops for accessibility.
Selecting the Right Device
Choosing assistive listening devices depends on your specific communication challenges:
- Where do you struggle most to hear?
- Which daily activities present the greatest difficulties?
- What technology comfort level do you have?
- How do your current hearing aids interface with other devices?
Our specialists evaluate your lifestyle and communication needs to recommend appropriate solutions. We provide demonstrations, explain compatibility with your existing hearing aids, and ensure you’re comfortable using any new technology.