Sensory alerts and multi-alerting systems for the home

Sensory alerts and multi-alerting systems for the home

Sensory alerts and multi-alerting systems for the home This factsheet is part of our Equipment range, for people with hearing loss and their families. It is about the products you can get if you have problems hearing sounds around the home. When we say people with hearing loss we mean people with all levels of hearing loss, including people who are profoundly deaf. In this factsheet we will tell you about: What sensory alert products are available? What is a multi-alerting system? What should I look for when buying equipment? Can I get help with paying for equipment? Where can I get further information? If you would like this factsheet on audio tape, in Braille or in large print, please contact our helpline see front page for contact details. What sensory alert products are available? Alarm clocks There are two types of alarm clock for people who are deaf: bedside alarm clocks and portable travel alarm clocks. Beside alarm clocks These are supplied with a pad that vibrates under your pillow for a minute or more, when the alarm goes off. It is a good idea to put the pad inside a pillowcase to stop it slipping out. The pad may be powerful enough to wake you when placed under your mattress which might be more comfortable, but it is not powerful enough to shake your whole bed. A bedside alarm clock will also have a sound alarm. On some the sound alarm is a fixed volume and tone, while on others it may be extra loud or have a control to adjust the volume. Some may also have a tone control so that you can change the pitch or frequency of the alarm sound. Bedside alarm clocks are usually powered from mains electricity, rather than battery. They may also have one or more of the features listed below: A flashing light (that flashes when the alarm goes off). Sensory alerts and multi-alerting systems for the home, Action on Hearing Loss Information, March 2012 2

Snooze. Two alarm settings. Battery back-up (to keep the time correct if there is a mains power failure). Alarm on light that shows the alarm has been set. Bedside alarm clocks usually cost between 30 and 60. Portable travel alarm clocks There are two types of portable alarm clock suitable for people with hearing loss: firstly, a small clock that can be attached to a vibrating pad. This is similar to a bedside alarm clock and can be used that way, but its smaller size and battery operation means that it is easier for taking on holiday etc. The other type is a clock that has a built-in vibration alert and is designed to go under a pillow. The clock display, time and alarm set controls and snooze are covered so that they are not accidentally pressed when the clock is under a pillow. Both types have a sound alarm (usually a bleeping sound) that is not very loud. Portable travel alarm clocks usually cost between 30 and 40. Important safety note: If you use a vibrating pad with your smoke alarm, make sure your alarm clock has a different kind of vibration, so that you can tell the difference when you wake up. Wristwatch alarms There is a range of wristwatches you can set to vibrate at the time of your choosing. Some people find the vibration alone powerful enough to wake them. They cost from 12. Doorbells and door chimes A doorbell near the front door or in the hallway may be difficult to hear in other parts of your home, even if you only have mild hearing loss. Extension bells or ringers If you have a mains electricity powered doorbell, a qualified electrician may be able to add an extension bell or ringer to it. Wireless door chimes There are many wireless door chimes available. They work by radio and have two parts: a weather-proof battery operated door push transmitter that can be fixed to a front door or Sensory alerts and multi-alerting systems for the home, Action on Hearing Loss Information, March 2012 3

porch, and a battery or mains electricity-powered chime receiver that can be used almost anywhere in the home.* They have a selection of chime sounds and musical melodies that you can choose from. You may find that one or more of the chime sounds are easier to hear. Some wireless door chimes also have a flashing light that flashes when someone presses the door push. The door chime may also have one or more of the additional features listed below: An extra loud chime sound. A tone control that adjusts the pitch or frequency of the chime sound. A vibrating pad (this vibrates when the door push is pressed). Battery operated receivers are more portable and can be easily moved around the home, and on some the receiver itself vibrates and can be attached to a belt. * Important safety note: Mains electricity-powered equipment must not be used in bathrooms or outdoors always read the manufacturer s instructions. Smoke alarms In 2005, the British Standards Institution published BS5446-3, a national standard on smoke alarm systems for people with hearing loss. If you buy a smoke alarm marked with BS5446-3, it meets these recommendations. See our factsheet Smoke alarms. Smoke detectors and smoke alarm transmitters should be installed according to the manufacturer s instructions and tested regularly. If you have been away on holiday, make sure that the smoke alarm is working when you get back, especially if they are battery-powered. Replace the batteries regularly according to the manufacturer s instructions. Baby monitors Standard baby monitors may be useful if you have mild hearing loss, but they are not usually loud enough for parents who are deaf. Some baby monitors have a visual display that flashes when the baby starts to cry. These are suitable for monitoring your baby while you are awake but would be unlikely to wake you if you were asleep. Standard baby monitors range in price from 20 to 60. Sensory alerts and multi-alerting systems for the home, Action on Hearing Loss Information, March 2012 4

What are baby monitors for people who are deaf like? Baby monitors for people who are deaf have two parts a monitor unit, which picks up the sound your baby makes, and a parents unit. The parents unit has a socket for a plug-in vibrating pad to wake you at night, and may also have a flashing light to attract your attention when you are awake. They usually have a sensitivity control so that they do not pick up every little sound your baby makes, but you need to adjust it correctly to make sure you can respond to your baby when it s important. They range in price from 50 to 150. Baby monitors that let you see your baby on your television consist of: A baby monitor that has a built-in television camera with sound monitoring. A parents unit that plugs into your television. Some systems are supplied with a long cable that connects to both parts, while others are cordless. The parents unit may also have a flashing light. The built-in television camera on most monitors is sensitive enough to see in the dark, so you can see your baby on the television screen even when the room your baby is sleeping in is dimly lit or dark. When your baby cries, the parents unit connected to your television will automatically interrupt television viewing and switch to the camera monitoring the baby. On most systems you can also hear the sounds your baby makes through the loudspeaker on your television. What is a multi-alerting system? Rather than having lots of equipment to alert you to different sounds in your home, you may find it easier and more convenient to have a multi-alerting system. This will let you know about all the different sounds, such as a doorbell, telephone or textphone ringing, smoke alarm or baby crying through a vibrating pager or portable receiver. Most multialerting systems work by radio. They can be battery or mains-powered or both. How do radio-operated systems work? Multi-alerting systems use a pager or a portable receiver to alert you to a wide range of different sounds. Some systems have both, so you can use a pager when you are moving around your home and the portable receiver if you stay in one room. They will have one or more transmitters, which are designed to alert you to a specific sound or event in the home. So a system will have a transmitter for the doorbell and telephone, and possibly others for the smoke alarm, baby monitor and paging. On most Sensory alerts and multi-alerting systems for the home, Action on Hearing Loss Information, March 2012 5

systems, you can choose which transmitters to have depending on your needs. The transmitter may have a built-in microphone to pick up the sound or be directly connected. For example, a telephone transmitter may plug into the telephone socket, whereas the doorbell transmitter may pick up the sound of your existing doorbell or be wired to it. It may have a weather-proof door push transmitter that can be placed on a front door frame or porch. Most systems are supplied with a smoke alarm detector that has the transmitter built in to it see page 4. Pager You can clip the pager to your clothes or put it in your pocket, and it will vibrate if your doorbell rings, for example. Some use a different vibration pattern to help you know which sound you are being alerted to. Some also use text, numbers, or coloured lights with symbols that light up. The system may have a base charger unit that the pager slots into when it s not in use and charges the battery in the pager. The pager may still receive signals when it s docked in the base unit. The base unit may have a flashing light and a socket for a vibrating pad. These will be activated when the pager/ base unit receives a signal from one of the transmitters. The base unit will be mains-powered and may have battery back-up so that you can continue to be alerted if the mains supply should fail. Portable receiver Some radio systems have one or more battery or mains-powered portable receivers that you can move from room to room. If, for example, your doorbell rings, the portable receiver lets you know by flashing a light or making a loud sound or both. Some let you plug in a vibrating pad. A portable receiver may also use different coloured lights to let you know which sound it is alerting you to. Range Most wireless systems have a range of at least 25m, which is fine for most homes. Buildings with thick walls, or walls that contain metal, can reduce the range by up to one third. Washing machines, fridges and other domestic appliances may have a similar effect, so don t put the transmitters near them. Check that the equipment works properly throughout your home before you permanently fit any of the transmitters. If your pager or portable receiver doesn t respond to one or more of the transmitters, try moving it to another position until it sets your pager off. Sensory alerts and multi-alerting systems for the home, Action on Hearing Loss Information, March 2012 6

Neighbours with similar equipment If your neighbour has a similar system that uses the same radio frequency, it may trigger your pager or portable receiver or stop it from working. Your system may also interfere with theirs. However, you can usually change the radio channel or code to prevent this. How much do multi-alerting systems cost? You will need to decide how many sounds you want to be alerted to before you choose your system. A basic system that can alert you, for example to a doorbell and telephone will cost less than a system that alerts you to lots of sounds. However, most systems let you add extra optional transmitters and features, increasing the number of sounds you can be alerted to. See our factsheet Telephones and voice communications for more information. What should I look for when buying equipment? Try out equipment before you buy some equipment may have small, fiddly buttons, other equipment may be an awkward shape or too heavy. Check: Are the buttons easy for you to press? Can you use the other controls easily? Can you hold the equipment comfortably? Is the display screen big enough for you to read what is on it? When you are choosing a multi-alerting system, look out for: Transmitters that are clearly labelled, easy to install and have easy-to-use controls. Portable pagers you can hold and carry comfortably. Flashing lights that are bright enough for you to see. A belt clip that lets you quickly unclip your pager when it goes off. Braille instructions for people who are deafblind next to the pager buttons. Pager buttons and controls that are easy for you to press. A clear visual indication on the pager (usually different coloured lights and symbols), or different vibrating rhythms if you find it hard to see the lights. Can I get help with paying for equipment? Contact our helpline (see cover) for more information about the following: Social services may help to pay for or provide equipment. For more information contact your local social services department or see our factsheet Social services for adults who are deaf. Sensory alerts and multi-alerting systems for the home, Action on Hearing Loss Information, March 2012 7

The government Access to Work scheme may help to pay for equipment you need at work or at work. See our leaflet about benefits and services. The Equality Act 2010 may require service providers, such as hospitals and GP surgeries, to provide equipment. See our factsheet The Equality Act 2010 a guide for service providers. Where can I buy products that may help? We sell a range of equipment for people with hearing loss and tinnitus. Visit our online shop, or you can request a copy of the Solutions catalogue by contacting us directly. 1 Haddonbrook Business Centre, Orton Southgate, Peterborough PE2 6YX Telephone 01733 361199 Textphone 01733 238020 Fax 01733 361161 solutions@hearingloss.org.uk www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/shop Further information from Action on Hearing Loss Our helpline offers a wide range of information on many aspects of hearing loss. You can contact us for further copies of this factsheet and our full range of factsheets and leaflets see the cover page for contact details. Action on Hearing Loss Information, March 2012 The Royal National Institute for Deaf People. Registered Office: 19-23 Featherstone Street, London EC1Y 8SL. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No. 454169, Registered Charity Numbers 207720 (England and Wales) and SC038926 (Scotland). Sensory alerts and multi-alerting systems for the home, Action on Hearing Loss Information, March 2012 8