One of the potential dangers of being hearing impaired is the inability to hear whistles, sirens, and other alarm signals. With this in mind, hearing-impaired individuals may want to outfit their homes and workplaces with “alerting devices,” which use very loud noises, flashing lights, or vibrators to alert hearing-impaired persons to specific sounds. Some alerting devices can be wired directly to doorbells or plugged into telephones; more advanced systems use built-in microphones to listen for specific sounds, which then trigger an alert. Such systems can be used in conjunction with smoke detectors. The value of an alerting device lies in itspotential to save the life of an individual who would not otherwise hear a warning alarm.

If you have a hearing impairment, you are missing more than just the understanding of words. Hearing informs you of danger, lets you respond to sound, reassures you of changing surroundings, and generally keeps you in touch with the world. After the age of 50, a regular hearing test should be considered as important as a yearly physical checkup. At MORGAN HEARING CENTER, we offer comprehensive hearing services by an audiologist at Weatherbee St. in Blue Ridge, including evaluations, custom fittings, a full range of hearing devices and instruments, accessories, follow-up support, and repairs. You can reach us at 688-7100