Hearing Assistive and Access Technology

Samuel R. Atcherson, Clifford A. Franklin, and Laura Smith-Olinde

For hearing health care and related professionals, educators, and individuals with hearing loss and their families, Hearing Assistive and Access Technology provides both fundamental and current information on a variety of technologies for individuals with hearing loss. Some of these technologies help enhance access to sound such as frequency-modulated systems, induction loop systems, infrared systems, and various short-range wireless device communications. Other technologies help provide auditory and/or visual access to spoken language such as text interpreting, automatic speech recognition, captioned phones, and videophones. There are also a variety of alerting and signaling devices available that enable access to environmental sounds and improved personal safety.

Many of these technologies can improve an individual's independence and overall quality of life: through smaller device size and improved portability, increased compatibility among technologies, as well as innovations in engineering, wireless, and mobile applications. To fully appreciate the impact of hearing loss and consider assistive and access solutions, Hearing Assistive and Access Technology includes:

• Review of acoustic issues, hearing aids, and implantable devices
• Overview of legal information and needs assessment
• Numerous illustrations and product images
• Case examples
• Glossary of terms

From the Foreword:
"Drs. Atcherson, Franklin, and Smith-Olinde have written a must-read book about assistive and emerging technologies that can vastly increase the ability of consumers with hearing loss to hear more clearly, communicate more effectively, and enhance their quality of life. Although written primarily for hearing health care professionals, consumers, family members, and those who interact with people with hearing loss can greatly benefit from understanding how technology, beyond and in conjunction with hearing aids and implantable devices, can provide greater access to more opportunities...

...The authors effectively highlight the power of harnessing new technology for better hearing, removing impediments, and training hearing health care professionals about the possibilities for consumers with hearing loss, not the limitations."

Anna Gilmore Hall, RN, MS, CAE
Executive Director
Hearing Loss Association of America
Bethesda, Maryland

Details: 320 pages, Illustrated (B/W), Softcover, 7 x 10"

Illustrations: 109

ISBN13: 978-1-59756-512-7

Release Date: 03/01/2015