I was e-mailing someone at RNID Technology on something related and we brought up the discussion about inputs from the Deaf/HoH community. So I thought I'd share this with you all.



So if you have any ideas, feedback or anything that you think will help you/the community, please contact RNID Technology with your ideas/feedback. Would be good if you can post your ideas/feedback here too, so we can discuss about it.

I really should have a smoke detecter. I think everyone should.
Is there a model that is wireless so i don't have to have wires all over the place?
Some kind of radio thing that either attaches to me or goes under the pillow.

 Hmmmm. I'll have to give this some thought. As far as I'm aware, just about everything technological is already available or been invented. Or at least, I haven't come across a need for anything to help me in everyday life that isn't already available or I've built myself to make it cheaper. One thing I would mention is that the RNID's products are too expensive for what they are and can usually be found cheaper elsewhere, especially Connovans.

I've recently been in discussions on Twitter with the RNID when they were trying to plug their mobile phones. Their mobiles are very basic and cheap looking yet far from cheap! Admittedly, they are designed with the HoH in mind and for people with sight impairments (large buttons!) and a loud volume. But such mobiles are no good to the likes of me and far too basic for my needs (and ruin my street cred! LOL) I did mention to them that the biggest complaint amongst us deafies was that the built-in vibration alert is nowhere near strong enough in mobiles. They tested this and agreed with me.

I have a Bellman® Visit Smoke Alarm transmitter which is linked to the Bellman system. They are wireless and works pretty well.

All (apart from the Smoke Alarm) was provided to me from my local social services. The Smoke Alarm was provided by my local Fire Station.

I have the Bellman Visit pager system too, provided by my Housing Association, consisting of the pager, pillow vibrator, 2X smoke alarms, telephone alert, doorbell alert and personal alert.

Exactly the same what I got.

Forgive my ignorance but who should i ask for this stuff? I live in a privately rented house part paid for by the council in housing benefit cos i no longer work.

I've got the FireAngel from my local fire service via deaf persons advocate (Deafness support), it has two sensor smoke alarms, under pillow vibrate and flashing light.

Previously mentioned at..

http://www.deaf4life.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=12894&hl=

As far as Technology goes as Gaz has mentioned there's nothing springing to mind apart from possible mobile phone vibrate improvements..

Ask your local council to find out your nearest social services office and go from there. Same with your local fire station if the local social services does not provide you with the fire alarm.

If you want to, PM me your area/town and I will find out for you.

Get someone to call the fire station or check out..

http://www.lancsfirerescue.org.uk/lfrs/new...147&sq=deaf

Thankyou Tony and Sirgarg. I looked at the links as well and this should be really useful if not lifesaving to me.
I have also passed on the website address of the emergency text service to my dad who is unable to use a phone by voice. I am sure it will be a weight off both our minds.

The emergency text service is
http://www.emergencysms.org.uk/

I followed the links etc and rang someone this mornng at the fire service helpline. Result being that someone will call within 2 weeks to sort me out with the detecter stuff.
Thanks again and i strongly urge anyone who hasn't got a detecter to get one as soon as possible cos they are life savers.

That's great. That should keep you safe.

I reckon there should be music headphones that stop the noise leaking outwards.
I remember getting a Walkman and being so disappointed when someone told me i was "leaking" cos of the volume.
They already have sound deadening materials that they use for ear protecters.

I use my hearing aids as my headphones with DI shoes. Because of the amplification of my aids, everyone else can hear it too.
I don't think it would matter what I wear to listen to music with, they will always be so loud that other people around me would also hear it.

Its something I've not thought about, I use hooks most of the time because conventional earphones are not loud enough...nobody has ever commented on leakage when using hooks?

LOL  Well, obviously, hooks don't leak themselves.
I use my hooks sometimes and my family still say they can hear my music coming from my hearing aids.
And that's with full tight fitting moulds. 

Well obviously the hooks don't leak, but the luggies might? like you say it could depend on the amps your luggies are pushing out.....and if you have a wooden head its going to leak more out isn't it...

LOL I don't think it's leakage as such but, as you point out, the "amps they are pushing out". They can actually hear the sound coming from the speaker at the top of the hearing aid, it's that loud.
Remember that I have to have about 100dB of amplification for my music.

So having a wooden head has no effect then...

I wooden think so.  

Back in the mill working days we had the option of full sized close fitting headphones that completely deadened the noise of the looms.
Mite do the job with the speakers within the casing, Don't know until someone trys it.

So I take it this is the reason why you are HOH, coz you worked in the 19th century?

In my case, I very much doubt it.