Communication and Alerting Technology for Deafblind People

Communication and Alerting Technology for DeafBlind PeopleElizabeth Spiers, Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision ImpairedDeafBlind PeopleBlind or Visually Impaired, losing hearingDeaf or hard of hearing, losing visionLosing both sensesLittle or no usable vision or hearingBlind or visually impaired, losing hearingMaximize vision and hearingUse sense of touchUse of hearing not as reliableDeaf or hard of hearing, losing visionMay have relied on vision in past, vision is less reliableMay have relied on speech reading and visual cues for speech reading; more difficult nowMay or may not use American Sign Language (may need to rely on tactile or adapted signsLosing vision and hearing • Age-related causes – Hearing (presbycusis)– Vision (glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration)Usher Syndrome 3Other causesDeafblind• Have little or no usable vision and hearing• May or may not be proficient in Braille, tactile sign language• Some may benefit from newest technology for deafblind peopleTactile Sign LanguageTrackingOther IssuesMany may have mobilty or dexterity problems as they ageThey may not feel comfortable with new technologySimpler is betterWhat do deafblind people want to do?• Communicate• With other people • One on one • Groups• Use the Phone• Use Email/internetAwareness and safety• Awareness and safety– Know when a smoke alarm goes off– Know when someone is at the door– Know when the phone rings– Be aware of other important soundsCommunicationCommunication is the most important thing and the issue where most people have troubleHearing aids and cochlear implants help but aren’t the answer to everythingHearing AidsDigital– Computer programmed; person can’t program hearing aid themselves – Can set up different programs for different listening environments• Group conversations• TV• One on one conversations• Digital hearing aids require several fittings to program to person’s exact needs• Takes some adjustment• Can be difficult for some seniors to adjust to• Important to add telecoils (so persons can use assistive listening devices)Analog– Older models of hearing aids– Person adjusts volume thesmelves – Cannot be programmed; person hears everything– May be easier for some seniors to handle and operate– Must have telecoils so people can use FM systemsCochlear implantsInternal componentsImplanted receiverElectrode systemExternal components Transmitter systemSound processorMicrophoneCochlear implants• Very different from hearing aids• Hearing aids amplify everything• Cochlear implants bypass damaged portions of ear and send sound directly to auditory nerve• Auditory nerve transmits sound to brain• Brain recognizes signal as soundWhat do you do when hearing aids or cochlear implants are not enough, or the person is not using them?Assistive listening devices• Personal assistive listening devices• FM devices or systsms Pocketalker UltraPocketalker Pro• Pocketalker Ultra is the newest Pocketalker • 5 year warranty • Can adjust tone and pitch• Can use with neckloop, earbuds, headsetPocketalker Pro• Pocketalker Pro is an older model• Only has volume control• Easier for people with dexterity or memory problems• Can be used with earbuds, headphone, neckloop • Both can be used with TV as TV listening systems• Clip a long 12 foot TV cord on the back of the TV• Person has to sit close to TV—wired system• Both can be used with TV as TV listening systems• Clip a long 12 foot TV cord on the back of the TV• Person has to sit close to TV—wired systemWireless TV listening systems• TV Ears—wireless, less expensive (about 129 dollars)• Sennheiser, wireless, more expensive (about 169 dollars)• Person can listen to TV anywhere in the houseFM SystemsBest for group meetingsOne is Contego ContegoAlerting Systems• Purpose– Alert someone to phone, doorbell, smoke alarm– Alerts someone to other sounds—such as baby crying– Wakes someone up (alarm clock)• Many are light or strobe basedCan use tactile components for people who can’t see lightAL10AL 10 Tactile Alert PagerAudio Alert Transmitter Signature Series• Upgrade to Vibracall • Uses vibrating watch• Will have new vibrating pager sometime in spring of 2012 (similar to old Vibracall pagerVibraCall• Has transmitters for doorbell, telephone, other sounds• Has smoke alarm with transmitter• Current pager has patterned vibrations person has to learn • New tactile pager coming out soon—person can press a button down-when that vibrates, will indicate its functionIndividual Alert Systems• Doorbells and phone signalers– Some hard of hearing people prefer to hear chimesDoorbells– Winchester Chime• Can set tone and pitchPhones• Phone ring signalers• Can set tone and pitch so person can hear phone ring• Ringmax is one kind; there are othersAmplified phones• Clarity• Crystal Tone• Clear Sounds• Captel 800, 800i• Jitterbug Cell Phone• All can adjust volume • Some can adjust pitch, volume• Some phones better for some people than others• Many have large push buttons for easy readingJitterbug• Hearing aid compatible cell phone• Simple instructions—simply call • Large numbers for easy reading• Available through VDDHH on a trial basis (temporary)• Jitterbug only is provided—people have to pay for phone serviceCaptel• Captel is a service where you can dial a captioning service• Operator will type conversation while you speak into phone• Person can read conversation from other caller and speak to caller on phone handCaptel 800 and 800i• Captel 800 does not need internet connection• Captel 800i needs high speed internet connection• Font and contrast can be adjusted—letters up to 3 inches highWebCaptel • Hamilton Relay runs this in Virginia• People can plug a standard phone into a standard phone line• Access WebCaptel on the Internet (through an account with a service provider)• Person talks into the phone and reads captions on their computerDeaf-Blind Communicator• Allows a deafblind user who reads Braille access to:PhoneInternet/emailFace to face communicationRelay services• Virginia Relay Service• Internet Relay Services (e.g, Nextalk)• Video Relay ServicesFinancial assistanceVDDHH Technology Access ProgramNational Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP)NewWell FundStarkey (for hearing aids) Questions and answers

Communication and Alerting Technology for Deafblind People

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