Assistive technology

Cochlear implants

The following websites provide information on cochlear implants:

• Alexander Graham Bell Association
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
• Food and Drug Administration
• House Ear Institute
• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Hearing aids

• Information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration about Hearing Aids
  

Implantable hearing aids

The following websites provide information about this new technology, designed for those with a sensorineural hearing loss of a moderately severe to severe degree who are unable to benefit adequately from conventional hearing aids.

• E-Medicine - Implantable Hearing Devices
• Help Ear Allied Research (HEAR) Implantable Aids
• The Future is Here: The Otologics Fully Implantable Hearing System

Telecoils in hearing aids

Telecoils are a mechanism inside the hearing aid that enable the hearing aid to be used directly with hearing-aid compatible telephones and most assistive listening devices. More information about telecoils is available on the following websites:

• Mayo Clinic Hearing aids: How to choose the right one
• Telecoils in Hearing Aids in the US
• The Importance of Telecoils - SHHH Position Paper

Other assistive technology web resources

• Minnesota STAR program
• Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program Association

Find out more

Some DHS regional Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services offices have technology labs featuring amplified phones, visual signaling devices, assistive listening devices and media on topics related to hearing loss.

Contact us for:

• Assessment and consultation about equipment needs of a specific deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind person
• Financial assistance for assistive listening devices
• Technology labs to learn about the devices.