Ask your audiologist about hearing services and devices other than hearing aids. For example, TV programs often offer closed captioning. 

 

Speech recognition software turns spoken messages into documents you can read on your computer. Text telephones work on the same principle and 

allow you to type in replies to the caller. Real-time captioning and note-taking services also might be available in your community. Assistive listening devices (ALDs) offer another whole range of options. These can be used to overcome background noise and poor room 

acoustics:

 

•Personal FM systems operate on a special radio frequency assigned by the Federal Communications Commission.They include a microphone and 

 transmitter that's used by the person who is speaking and a receiver that delivers the sound directly to your hearing aid or headset.

 

•Infrared systems can be used with TV sets. They work much like personal FM systems, using invisible infrared light waves rather than radio 

 waves.

 

•One-to-one communicators include a microphone for use by the speaker, and a receiver that amplifies sound and delivers it by a cable or cord 

  directly to your ear via an "ear bud" or headset. Alerting devices use lights or vibrating systems to alert you to sounds such as a ring at 

  the doorbell, a knock on the door, or an alarm from a clock or a smoke detector.