WNC Audiology offers assistive listening devices in Asheville, NC.
At WNC Audiology, we understand that even the most advanced hearing aids may still need support. Hearing aids are excellent tools, but they can still face challenges in noisy restaurants, large auditoriums, classrooms, or even when you’re trying to watch TV at home. That’s where Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) can make all the difference.
Whether you want to follow a sermon at church, keep up with a lecture, enjoy family dinners without straining, or simply relax while watching your favorite shows, ALDs are designed to make listening easier and more comfortable. Our audiologists in Asheville will help you explore your options, set them up correctly, and show you how to use them with confidence.
Why Use an Assistive Listening Device?
Hearing aids amplify sound, but they aren’t always perfect in difficult environments. ALDs are task-specific tools designed to make hearing clearer in certain situations where distance, background noise, or room acoustics get in the way. ALDs can:
- Improve speech understanding in noisy places so you don’t have to guess what’s being said.
- Make it easier to hear someone speaking from across a classroom, stage, or large room.
- Reduce distracting background noise so you can focus on what matters.
- Deliver TV shows, phone calls, or announcements directly to you with less effort.
Simply put, ALDs give you more confidence and less fatigue in daily life.
Common Types of Assistive Listening Devices
Hearing Loop (Induction) Systems
Installed in many public spaces such as churches, theaters, and auditoriums, hearing loops send sound directly into hearing aids or cochlear implants equipped with a telecoil (T-coil).
Infrared Systems
Infrared systems are common in courtrooms or for private TV listening. They prevent interference and keep conversations secure. These systems use light waves to transmit sound to a receiver. They are often paired with headphones or a neck loop.
FM Systems
FM systems use radio waves to send a speaker’s voice directly to a listener’s receiver.
Personal Amplifiers
Personal amplifiers use a small microphone and headset to make nearby sounds louder. Since they are small and simple, they are perfect for one-on-one conversations or watching TV at a comfortable volume.
Alerting Devices
These tools help you stay aware of important sounds like alarms, doorbells, or phone calls. They may use flashing lights, vibrations, or louder tones to alert you.
CaptionCall
CaptionCall is a specialized phone service for people with hearing loss. It displays real-time captions of your phone conversations on a large, easy-to-read screen while still letting you hear the other person’s voice.
This makes phone calls more comfortable, reduces misunderstandings, and helps you stay connected with loved ones, doctors, and important services. Best of all, CaptionCall is available at no cost for those who qualify.
Talk to our Ashville, NC audiologists to learn more about how CaptionCall can make listening easier.
FAQs About Assistive Listening Devices
What is the most common type of ALD?
FM systems and TV listening systems are among the most popular, since they make voices clearer in group settings and at home.
Can ALDs replace hearing aids?
No. ALDs are designed to work alongside hearing aids or help in specific situations. If you have moderate to severe hearing loss, hearing aids remain the primary solution.
Why use an ALD if I already wear hearing aids?
Even the best hearing aids can struggle in noisy or echoing environments. ALDs focus on the sound you want to hear, giving you greater clarity and reducing listening fatigue.
Are ALDs hard to set up?
Not at all. Most are user-friendly, and our team at WNC Audiology will show you exactly how to use them.
Can I take my ALD anywhere?
Many ALDs are portable and can be used in multiple settings. Others, like hearing loops, are built into specific venues. We’ll help you choose the option that best fits your daily life.
Assistive Listening Devices in Asheville, NC
At WNC Audiology, we believe better hearing means better living. ALDs are an excellent way to supplement your hearing aids and make communication easier in every environment.
From hearing loops to CaptionCall phones, our team will help you find the right tools to stay connected and confident.
Call WNC Audiology today to schedule a consultation and discover how Assistive Listening Devices can help you enjoy clearer hearing in Asheville, NC.