Assistive Devices

The audiology clinic at the Charles Van Riper Language, Speech and Hearing Clinic at Western Michigan University offers assessments to explore a variety of assistive listening devices (ALDs).

An ALD is any type of device that can help you function better in your day-to-day communication situations. An ALD can be used with or without hearing aids to overcome the negative effects of distance, background noise or poor room acoustics. Assistive technology includes visual, vibrotactile and auditory technologies designed to enhance face-to-face receptive communication, the reception of electronic media (radio, television, computer, music players, etc.), telephone communication, and the awareness of important environmental events.