● Hearing devices ≠ hearing aids:

Hearing devices refer to the equipment that helps people with hearing loss to improve their hearing. The hearing devices include traditional hearing aids, FM system, and cochlear implants. Since technology and science has been improving significantly, people with hearing loss have other choices, such as Bluetooth earbuds, handheld amplifiers, sound collector, and personal sound amplifiers. In 2009, FDA had termed this type of hearing devices “Personal Sound Amplification Products”, PSAPs.

● How do you distinguish between hearing aids and PSAPs?

Cochlear implant, also known as artificial electronic ear, is classified as a high risk Class III medical device. It is an option for people with severe or profound hearing loss who cannot get much help from wearing hearing aids for three months or longer.

FM systems

Frequency modulated system has two parts - the transmitter and the receiver. The speaker talks into a microphone and wears a transmitter and the hearing impaired students wear a receiver. Through the wireless frequency modulation, the device reduces the background noises in the learning environment and allows the students to receive the necessary messages. For example, wireless FM systems.

Hearing environment assistive devices

Warning, indicating, and signaling devices. The sounds are transformed into visual, touchable, and vibrating signals, such as doorbell alarming light and vibrational signalers.