Signaling systems
are a category of assistive technology designed to alert hard
of hearing d/Deaf, d/Deaf-low vision and d/Deaf-blind individuals
to environmental sounds such as the doorbell, telephone, smoke
detector or a baby cry. There are three general signaling
types, and most systems incorporate the use of more than one
signal type to ensure maximum effectiveness. An AUDITORY signal
alerts by emitting a loud tone which can enhance the volume
of existing environmental sounds. A VISUAL signal alerts by
flashing a light such as a lamp or strobe to provide visual
notification for individuals who cannot rely on their auditory
senses. A VIBRATORY signal allows individuals to feel an environmental
sound alert and is used when neither sound nor flashing lights
are sufficient. Vibratory signals are usually found in the
form of a vibrating pager that can be worn at the waist, or
a bed shaker that can be placed under a mattress or cushion.
A basic signaling system generally consists of a transmitter
unit and several receivers (visual, auditory or vibratory)
that can be placed in different rooms of the home. The transmitter
unit is responsible for recognizing the incoming signal, such
as the telephone ringing, and notifying the receivers that
they should begin beeping, flashing or vibrating. In order
to recognize the initial signal, the transmitter must either
be placed near the sound source (such as a baby cry) or plugged
into the system responsible for producing the signal (such
as the doorbell chime). The transmitter must also be plugged
into an electrical outlet or it will not be able to communicate
with any other receivers. Additionally, each remote receiver
must also be plugged into a wall outlet in order to obtain
the signal from the transmitter. So for example, in order
to alert that the telephone is ringing, the transmitter unit
has to be plugged into a phone jack for the telephone line
receiving that call AND plugged into a nearby wall outlet.
Once the transmitter receives the electrical impulse from
that phone jack, it will send or transmit a signal to the
individual receivers and they will begin beeping, flashing
or vibrating in a distinct pattern. Most transmitters do contain
a built-in receiver, so if notification is only required in
one room of the house or in small space such as an office,
additional remote receivers may not be necessary.
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