Sound Amplifiers
Sound amplifiers are a type of assistive technology that assists in the domain of communication. These devices give individuals with hearing impairments the opportunity to be an active listener in a multitude of settings. Many of these amplifiers have set-ups where an individual can wear a device on his or her belt and are able to hear what is going on in public areas or in meeting rooms and classrooms. Some amplifiers are very beneficial to learning environments. There are some systems that give the teacher a microphone and the student wears a device with a headphone that creates a two-way communication system between the teacher and the student. These tools can be used to help individuals communicate with teachers, colleagues, and family members easily.
Pocketalker Ultra
The Pocketalker Ultra amplifies sounds for individuals with hearing impairments. It is a small device that is worn by the user. The system acts as a 2-way radio between the microphone and the amplifier. All the user has to do is point the microphone towards the source of the sound and plug in the earphone and they are able to hear sounds that are in the same general area as they are in.
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/5/1/14519672/9357671.jpg?293)
Pros:
- Allows users to be more active communicators in one-on-one conversations, small-group listening, television listening, and conversations in the car.
- 200 hours of battery life
- Adjustable tone and volume control
- Accommodates a variety of earphone and headphone options
- Use with neckloops and telecoil-equipped hearing aids
- Amplifies sound for better understanding
- 5 year warranty
- Portable and easy to transport
- Eliminates background noise
Cons:
- Limited to a certain range to pick up sounds
- Not conductive for large group discussions
- Relatively expensive considering its other limitations ($104 - $129)
Use in a learning environment:
The Pocketalker Ultra system amplifies sounds close to the deice using a microphone. This helps individuals with hearing impairments in a lot of different settings. These devices are especially prevalent in classrooms. This gives students with hearing impairments the opportunity to be an active participant in the classroom. They simply turn on the device, put in the earphone, and they are instantly able to hear the conversation in the classroom.
- Allows users to be more active communicators in one-on-one conversations, small-group listening, television listening, and conversations in the car.
- 200 hours of battery life
- Adjustable tone and volume control
- Accommodates a variety of earphone and headphone options
- Use with neckloops and telecoil-equipped hearing aids
- Amplifies sound for better understanding
- 5 year warranty
- Portable and easy to transport
- Eliminates background noise
Cons:
- Limited to a certain range to pick up sounds
- Not conductive for large group discussions
- Relatively expensive considering its other limitations ($104 - $129)
Use in a learning environment:
The Pocketalker Ultra system amplifies sounds close to the deice using a microphone. This helps individuals with hearing impairments in a lot of different settings. These devices are especially prevalent in classrooms. This gives students with hearing impairments the opportunity to be an active participant in the classroom. They simply turn on the device, put in the earphone, and they are instantly able to hear the conversation in the classroom.
Califone InternationalPA-IRSYSB
4-Speaker IR Classroom Audio System
The Califone International PA-IRSYSB 4-speaker IR Classroom Audio System is an FM system that can be used to help people with hearing impairments in communicating with others. While it is labeled as a “classroom audio system,” this device would be appropriate in large meeting rooms at offices as well as speaking venues for businesses. This device has a microphone that the speaker wears and the individual with hearing impairments has a transmitter with headphones that he or she can wear and the speaker’s voice is broadcasted to any of the devices in the room.
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/5/1/14519672/2515948.jpg?241)
Pros:
- Can be used in situations where there is more than one individual with hearing impairments in the room.
- The speaker wears the microphone which eliminates distance as a factor
- Adjustable volume
- Speakers are available
Cons:
- Expensive ($1,262.14)
- Many pieces of equipment, could be confusing to some
Use in a learning environment:
This system would be most appropriate for a classroom with several students who have hearing impairments. It would be a bit expensive for just one student. In general, this tool would be extremely beneficial in a classroom. Specifically, a college lecture hall with multiple students with hearing impairments. This would eliminate the issue of the classroom being too large to use devices with stationary microphones. Even a student in the very back of the room would be able to hear everything the teacher says as if they were in the front row.
- Can be used in situations where there is more than one individual with hearing impairments in the room.
- The speaker wears the microphone which eliminates distance as a factor
- Adjustable volume
- Speakers are available
Cons:
- Expensive ($1,262.14)
- Many pieces of equipment, could be confusing to some
Use in a learning environment:
This system would be most appropriate for a classroom with several students who have hearing impairments. It would be a bit expensive for just one student. In general, this tool would be extremely beneficial in a classroom. Specifically, a college lecture hall with multiple students with hearing impairments. This would eliminate the issue of the classroom being too large to use devices with stationary microphones. Even a student in the very back of the room would be able to hear everything the teacher says as if they were in the front row.