title: Assistive listening devices and systems (ALDS) enhance the lifestyles of hearing impaired persons.
abstract: Assistive listening devices and systems (ALDS) help hearing impaired listeners overcome noise, reverberation, and distance. ALDS deliver speech from the lips of the talkers to the ears of the listeners. Thus, hearing impaired persons can function in the mainstream of society. ALDS include hardwire, infrared, FM, loops, and signaling and alerting devices. They help hearing impaired persons develop and maintain listening and talking skills. As a result, they can function at optimal levels of personal, social, educational, vocational, spiritual, and recreational activities. The use of "self-wiring," windscreens, and remote microphone technology make it possible for hearing impaired persons to enjoy communication in one-to-one situations; small and large groups; large listening areas; and settings such as television listening, communicating in an automobile, and counseling with medical, educational, vocational, and spiritual advisers. ALDS, combined with hearing aids, offer state-of-the-art listening and talking opportunities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biocommunication, School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham.
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Vaughn
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Lightfoot
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Teter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000669:Amplifiers, Electronic; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D012048:Correction of Hearing Impairment; D005260:Female; D006310:Hearing Aids; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012682:Sensory Aids; D013685:Telecommunications