How Traffic Lights Keep Us Safe
Hearing aids do a great job and enable countless people to hear. But what about situations where hearing aids aren't worn, such as when sleeping? That's where light signal systems provide added safety.
Audible alert systems are trusted aids that support people with hearing loss in their daily personal and professional lives. They are often a valuable supplement to hearing aids, as they reliably amplify acoustic signals—whether from doorbells, smoke detectors, machinery, alarm clocks, or baby monitors. This means greater independence and, above all, safety for people with hearing loss.
How do traffic signal systems work as assistive devices for people with hearing loss?
Modern light signal systems operate as radio-based transmitter-receiver systems. They generally require at least one transmitter and one receiver. Various events—such as doorbells, ringing phones, fire alarms, or even baby monitors—are detected by the respective transmitters. The receivers amplify this important information through vibration, flashing lights, and/or additional audio signals.
With a portable light signaling system, people with hearing loss—as well as those with normal hearing—can, for example, hear the mail carrier ringing the doorbell while in the garden—even from a considerable distance.
No Risk of Fire – Smoke Detectors Are Mandatory
Despite the requirement for smoke detectors, several hundred people still die each year in Germany as a result of residential fires. Most of these fatalities occur at night. While we are fast asleep, our sense of smell is impaired, and we cannot detect the danger posed by toxic smoke in time. Just a few breaths are enough for us to lose consciousness without even realizing it.
In Germany, smoke detectors are required in residential spaces in all federal states. The property owner is responsible for the proper installation of smoke detectors.
What many people don’t know: this requirement applies not only to rental properties but also to owner-occupied homes.
That’s because smoke detectors save lives: When smoke from a fire develops, these small lifesavers sound the alarm and warn residents in time of the insidious danger. For people with hearing loss, there are solutions that send an early signal to light warning systems or other devices—such as vibrating pillow alarms—as soon as smoke or heat is detected. Can you still reliably hear high-pitched sounds, such as warning signals? With our online hearing test, you can quickly check your hearing.
In which rooms should smoke detectors be installed? As a general rule, smoke detectors should be installed in every bedroom and children’s room, as well as in all hallways that serve as escape routes. Your local fire department can provide many tips on the proper number and placement of smoke detectors.
The smoke detector is best mounted on the ceiling. It should be at least 50 cm away from the side wall. To achieve optimal range, the transmitter’s antenna must be pointed vertically downward.
In the event of a fire, quick action is essential
It doesn’t take long for a burning candle, embers, or a hot stovetop to trigger a dangerous room fire. To ensure that deaf people are immediately alerted when danger looms, special smoke detectors are available for them. Signals from the smoke detector are transmitted via radio to, for example, a special flashing alarm clock, which emits an extra-loud audible alert and bright strobe flashes.
At night, such an alarm can also be reliably delivered via a vibrating pillow and flashing signals. Or, in the event of a fire, these systems send a radio signal to all receivers in the household; an alarm clock is usually used as the receiver. As soon as the room temperature rises, the smoke detector sounds an alarm so that people with hearing impairments and all other residents are immediately alerted.
This saves lives, because while we’re asleep, our brain doesn’t register the smell of smoke, so we aren’t alerted or woken up.
Light signaling systems also assist people with hearing loss in the workplace. For example, during machine maintenance and in work environments with high noise levels. Mobile light signal systems are typically used in these situations. There are compact versions that fit in a pocket or watch-like solutions that can be easily worn on the wrist. Often, colleagues with normal hearing also benefit from the additional information provided by light signal systems.
Light Signal Systems for People with Hearing Loss—What Does Health Insurance Cover?
People with hearing loss are entitled to light signal systems, for example, if they cannot reliably hear their doorbell or smoke alarm despite using hearing aids. The primary consideration in this decision is ensuring that they can live independently or continue working. Health insurance plans cover many visual alert systems when prescribed by an ENT doctor.
There are numerous useful accessories available for modern hearing aids. Some of these are partially covered by public health insurance.
