Best Medical Alert Systems for Seniors With Hearing Loss

Many people depend on medical alert systems to live independently and safely as they age. The devices offer reassurance, with an agent responding immediately at the push of a button. Some have automatic detections for falls, meaning the senior doesn’t even need to lift a finger to get help in an emergency, let alone make the call to the emergency services themselves.

Are there medical alert systems made for seniors who are hard of hearing?

Medical alert systems mainly cater to older people, so it’s no surprise that they are designed with people experiencing hearing loss in mind. Most life alerts have features essential to a hard-of-hearing senior, such as operators trained to speak loudly and clearly to the caller and visual indicators on devices such as flashing lights.

How we chose our best picks

Despite the lack of specialist systems designed for seniors struggling with hearing ailments, all the best medical alert services can help in this situation. To make our selection of the best life alerts for the hard of hearing, we focused on some specific characteristics:

• Fall detection: This important feature is crucial for all independent seniors.
• Location tracking: This is particularly useful for caregivers of seniors unable to hear their cell.
• Visual communication: This option isn’t offered by all systems.
• Volume: Most systems can increase the volume for people who are hard of hearing.
• Pricing/discounts: While the suitability of a product is always prioritized, we also considered the cost of a service, the price of extra features, along with possible discounts.
• Transparency: It’s important to always be wary of companies that force customers into lengthy contracts that are hard to break or charge hidden fees.
• Extras: Some services provide handy extras, such as the essential lockbox that prevents emergency services from damaging property if they need to access a senior’s home.

Best medical alert systems features for seniors with hearing loss

It’s vital to consider certain aspects when looking for a life alert for someone struggling with hearing loss. Some features may appear handy but are actually irrelevant, such as a two-way speaker only being practical if it provides customizable volume.

👩🏻‍🦽 Fall detection

This automatic and crucial feature doesn’t require any action on the part of the senior, so even someone unable to hear or communicate is attended to straight after a fall. It should be one of the first things a caregiver or senior looks for when assessing whether a medical alert system is appropriate.

📍 Location tracking

Having devices that offer GPS tracking, combined with a caregiver app that can transmit this information, may be crucial. If the senior lives an active lifestyle, it’s reassuring for caregivers and family members to know that they can receive key information if the wearer isn’t picking up their cell.

🔊 Volume control

Most medical alert system users will rely on the two-way speakers of their devices, but this only works if it’s loud enough to be heard. Most systems let users increase the volume.

⚠️ Visual communication and alerts

While a two-way speaker is handy, seniors with severe hearing loss may benefit from other means of communicating. Having the senior interact with operators or family through text messaging is convenient and straightforward. Additionally, devices that offer vibrating or visual alerts, such as flashing lights, are extremely handy for the deaf and hard of hearing.

👁️ Monitoring system and response times

No medical alert system would be worth two cents if it couldn’t guarantee rapid response times. It’s a must for anyone relying on a life alert to have 24/7 access to trained operators. Additionally, all the best systems ensure their staff can communicate in numerous languages.

Any senior depending on one of these systems should be looking for operators that respond to the press of a button within mere seconds. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) sets the standard for safety and reliability, so a UL certification guarantees the best results.

The extra touch needed for the hard of hearing is to have operators who have all the user’s information at hand, so they know if they suffer from hearing loss. They can start discussions by suggesting the senior put in their hearing aid if they have forgotten it.

Do hearing aids work with medical alert systems?

In general, most medical alert systems don’t connect directly to hearing aids but they do complement and work alongside each other exceptionally well. However, there are hearing aids that provide some of the same features offered by life alerts.

Some of Starkey’s hearing aids can contact up to three caregivers and include fall detection and GPS location. The wearer can also set up the manual alert feature, which allows them to tap their hearing aid to send an alert for a fall. While this is impressive, it doesn’t provide the same safety net as a complete medical alert system with monitoring, as it relies on caregivers being available 24/7.

Other safety equipment for the deaf and hard of hearing

There are other ways to guarantee the security of a senior with hearing issues, like investing in equipment, such as:

• Telephone and doorbell signalers: Landline telephones and doorbells can be bought with extra loud rings, vibrating alerts, or lights that flash to indicate an incoming call or visitor.
• Carbon monoxide, smoke, and fire alarms: While some medical alert systems offer this, it’s possible to invest in these separately.
• Medical ID bracelets/tags: Like with Bay Alarm Medical’s ‘vial of life’, it’s important that emergency responders can find vital information about the senior without having to rely on communication.
• Smartwatch and tablets: For the more tech-savvy, a smartwatch, smartphone, or tablet for messaging or video calling is perfect for caregivers to ensure seniors are safe and well.

While these are all useful accompaniments for an independent senior, nothing can beat the reassurance that comes with installing a comprehensive medical alert system.