This year’s Summer of Sport is approaching fast, Invictus Games, FA Cup Final, Formula 1 Grand Prix, Euro 2016, Wimbledon, French & US Open, Tour de France, America’s Cup, the Olympics and the Rugby League Cup Final.
What ever your favourite sport, its not great if you can’t hear what’s going on!
There are more than 11 million people in the UK with some form of hearing loss, or one 1 in 6 of the population, including over 3.5 million people who wear hearing aids, all of whom can benefit from using Assistive Technology products, and enjoy this year’s sporting events.
For people with hearing loss just turning the volume button up isn’t necessarily loud enough and often upsets others in the room. With the aid of Assistive Technology, sound can be amplified to very loud volumes either in the room, direct to the ears, via Bluetooth or a loop system, whether it’s from TV, radio or Smartphone.
National stations such as Talk Sport or BBC Radio 5 Live broadcasts live commentary of popular sports and with Assistive Technology, the sound from a radio can be significantly increased using a sound amplifier and, it’s the same if you’re watching the TV. However, if you’re watching the TV at a standard volume, with others in the room, you might want to consider a personal amplifier that won’t affect the volume for everyone else.
With the aid of specially designed headphones, volume can be increased to a personal preference level without affecting other people around you. There are many solutions depending on your needs. If you wear hearing aids you might want to consider a Bluetooth or Loop system that transmits the amplified volume direct to your hearing aids. Tone control included with these devices helps boosting high frequency sounds making speech far more intelligible.
Amplicomms BTH 1400 Bluetooth Headset & BTH 1410-NL Bluetooth Neckloop
There is also the option for wearing over-the-ear or in ear headphones. Some sets have individual controls so sounds can be adjusted for each ear or feature a close proximity microphone that will ensure you can be a part of conversations going on in the room.
Another option, if you are listening on your own or want portability to listen in the garden etc., is a sound amplifier that has a base connected directly to the sound source transmitting the sound to a portable sound system that acts as a boom box.
One company, amplicomms, who specialise in assistive technology, is running a summer promotion on a variety of products and we’ve taken a look at a few of them, to help you make the right choices.
The amplicomms Bluetooth products will amplify sound from any Bluetooth enabled device up to 120dB’s using either a wireless headset, the BTH1400, or a neck loop system the BTH1410 NL, for people with hearing aids or cochlear implants using the T Coil setting. This also features a built-in microphone for close proximity conversations.
The TV SoundBox is a portable wireless speaker, so great for the garden; it will bring sounds up close to you and amplify the volume up to 120dB’s, 30 metres away from the sound source.
The HS100 are over the ear headphones for mild to moderate hearing loss with separate volume controls for the right and left sides for fully balanced sound and have been reduced by 50% for a real summer bargain at only £14.99.
The TV150 allows maneuverability and comfort, as it sits around the neck for wireless listening via the TV, HiFi, IPod/iPhone or CD players. It has automatic volume control that eliminates sudden loud noises from the likes of adverts, which can unexpectedly increase the TV volume often causing ear stress.
The TV2500 is the top of the range stethoscope-style Wireless Listener with top quality Stereo sound and a sensitive built in microphone, so you have the option to join in conversations around the room, www.hearingdirect.com/Wireless-TV-Listeners.
So, if you want to be a part of the Summer of Sport and listen to commentary in clarity, check out which assistive technology is best for you and be a part of the excitement, whether in your own home or in a crowd of excited fans.
The products mentioned are all available from: www.hearingdirect.com or Tel: 0800 032 1301
Direct product links:
Amplicomms BTH 1400 Bluetooth Headset: http://www.hearingdirect.com/amplicomms-bth-1400.html
Amplicomms BTH 1410-NL Bluetooth Neckloop: http://www.hearingdirect.com/amplicomms-bth-1410-nl.html
Amplicomms TV Soundbox: http://www.hearingdirect.com/amplicomms-tv-soundbox-wireless-tv-amplifying-speakers.html
Amplicomms TV 150 Wireless Listener: http://www.hearingdirect.com/amplicomms-tv-150-wireless-tv-listener.html
Amplicomms TV 2500 Wireless Listener: http://www.hearingdirect.com/amplicomms-tv-2500-wireless-tv-listener.html
