| The equipment available for deaf and hearing impaired | | | | equipment that alerts you to sounds in your home |
| people to use at home includes textphones, listening | | | | As well as doorbells that alert you by a flashing light or |
| devices and alerting devices such as specially adapted | | | | a very loud ringing bell there are other multi-alerting |
| doorbells and alarm clocks. | | | | systems that can be used to attract your attention to |
| Equipment and Aids for Home and Work | | | | different sounds in your home, for example when the |
| Help is available with everyday situations involving | | | | telephone rings. Smoke alarms and fire safety |
| telephones, textphones and listening equipment. Extra | | | | You can get smoke alarms that use strobed light and |
| aids include induction loops which work with your | | | | vibrating pads to warn you at the first sign of fire. |
| hearing aid, alarms, alarm clocks, doorbells and teletext | | | | Vibrating-pad smoke alarms are specially fitted with a |
| adapters. | | | | vibrating pad which are connected to the smoke alarm |
| You can get equipment and advice about the different | | | | and can be placed under your pillow or mattress. The |
| types of aids available from social services, National | | | | pad vibrates when the alarm is activated. |
| Health Service audiology departments and voluntary | | | | Strobe lights which are fitted to a smoke alarm will |
| organisations. | | | | emit a flashing strobe light warning when the smoke |
| Telephone Aids | | | | alarm is activated. |
| Devices to help you use the telephone include: | | | | Linked alarms are connected to all the other smoke |
| - handsets with inductive couplers | | | | alarms in the building, and ensure that if any one smoke |
| - amplifiers | | | | smoke alarm is activated, it triggers all linked alarms. |
| - extension bells | | | | This means that even if the fire is some distance from |
| - text display Alarm clocks and watches | | | | where you are, you will know about it and can leave |
| Alarm clocks for deaf or hard of hearing people can | | | | the building before it gets any closer to you. |
| work in different ways. The key features for clocks | | | | It is recommended that you contact a qualified |
| are that they: | | | | electrician to install linked alarms. |
| - vibrate under the pillow to alert the user | | | | To find out more about these smoke alarms, advice |
| - have a flashing light | | | | on planning your escape and where to go for help and |
| - have an extra loud sound alarm | | | | advice, download the brochure 'Fire safety for people |
| You can also buy watches that vibrate. Doorbells and | | | | with sight, hearing or mobility difficulties'. |