• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.105-111
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• 2014

Assistive listening devices (ALDs) refer to various types of amplification equipment designed to improve the communication of individuals with hard of hearing to enhance the accessibility to speech signal when individual hearing instruments are not sufficient. There are many types of ALDs to overcome a triangle of speech to noise ratio (SNR) problems, noise, distance, and reverberation. ALDs vary in their internal electronic mechanisms ranging from simple hard-wire microphone-amplifier units to more sophisticated broadcasting systems. They usually use microphones to capture an audio source and broadcast it wirelessly over a frequency modulation (FM), infra-red, induction loop, or other transmission techniques. The seven types of ALDs are introduced including hardwire devices, FM sound system, infra-red sound system, induction loop system, telephone listening devices, television, and alert/alarm system. Further development of digital wireless technology in hearing instruments will make possible direct communication with ALDs without any accessories in the near future. There are two technology solutions for digital wireless hearing instruments improving SNR and convenience. One is near-field magnetic induction combined with Bluetooth radio frequency (RF) transmission or proprietary RF transmission and the other is proprietary RF transmission alone. Recently launched digital wireless hearing aid applying this new technology can communicate from the hearing instrument to personal computer, phones, Wi-Fi, alert systems, and ALDs via iPhone, iPad, and iPod. However, it comes with its own iOS application offering a range of features but there is no option for Android users as of this moment.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• no.26
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• pp.112-120
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• 2001

This study investigated the extend to which the facilities satisfactorily accommodate people with different disabilities and their specific needs for improving the facilities. Systematic interviews were conducted with 90 disabled people using the non-propertionate stratified cluster random sampling method. Frequency analysis, Chi-square tests, Duncan tests, and analysis of variance(ANOVA) were employed for data analysis. The findings indicated that the respondents' assessment of accommodations and needs for improving accommodations differed by the type of disabilities. People with physical disabilities were the least satisfied with stairs, followed by seating in stadiums and/or theaters. For people with visual disabilities, the lack of guidance and information facilities was the most difficult problem. People with hearing disabilities often pointed out difficulties in using public telephones. meanwhile, people with physical disabilities asked for easy access to assistive devices and improved mobility-related circumstances. yet people with visual disabilities expected to improve way-finding relevant issues, such as detectable warnings on walking surfaces and guidance and information facilities, whereas people with hearing disabilities desired to develop hearing-aid equipments, such as TDD and assistive listening systems.