by Neil Bauman, Ph.D.
I loved the Univox DLS-50 home loop systems—and not just because I sold them. Just over a decade ago I was looking for the best home loop system, and I came across the Univox line. After using it myself, I was so impressed with it that I began selling them.
From time to time I receive emails telling me how these marvelous little units have changed hard of hearing people’s lives. Here’s one I recently received. I think it will bring tears to your eyes as you read it. A daughter wrote,
My mother has always been resistant to change, especially where technology that she doesn’t understand is involved. It has taken me 2 years to convince her of the advantages of getting telecoil hearing aids (she is very hard of hearing). She finally had one hearing aid retrofitted with a telecoil (she’s also very conservative and thrifty, even though she can well afford two), but prior to the installation of the Univox DLS-50 there was no technology in her house to take advantage of the telecoil. Now there is, and the change it has made is remarkable!
I hooked up the unit to her TV. Upon the final wire hookup and volume adjustment her face lit up as she listened to the TV show on display. People were talking on the show with background music playing. She sat with wide-eyes for a moment with what I can only describe as an expression of wonder-filled joy, like a child experiencing the joy of Christmas. Her first words were, “I can hear every word they’re saying!” she then turned to me and exclaimed, “Oh, this is wonderful!”
Mom is not one to praise anything or anyone, so her outburst was proof that the loop amplifier met its objective—and exceeded my expectations. Since your company sells the Univox line of loop amplifiers, I wanted you to know what a profound difference this has made in her life—improving her quality of single-living life by re-opening a door once thought hopelessly locked shut. I cannot adequately express my gratitude.
Next on my list: a microphone for me so she can stop trying to read my lips, interrupting every conversation with, ‘Hold on, now slow down, what did you just say?’ Keep in mind that I talk facing her with slightly slower, louder, clear, and distinctive speech. Even with that, and wearing two hearing aids, she has difficulty understanding conversations in the quietude of her living room.
I now have hope—as does she—that all that is about to change. We’re now both pretty excited about the possibilities. If you could only have seen her smiling face and expression of wonder at being able to clearly hear a TV show for the first time in years…
Anyway, I just wanted to tell someone! It’s truly an exciting and remarkable time in which we live that brings a return to hearing to those who have lost it.
Thanks for your heart-warming story of how assistive devices such as the Univox DLS-50 loop amplifier can improve the quality of life for hard of hearing people.
Your mom’s reaction is the kind of reaction numerous people have when they first hear beautiful, clear sound via a loop system. This can be your experience too.
This lady used the Univox DLS-50 home loop system. I did too. In fact, I used the Univox DLS-50 and before that, the Univox 2A for more than 10 years! If you’d like to learn more about these wonderful home loop systems, read an article I wrote about them well over 10 years ago, then get one for yourself or your loved ones. The Univox DLS-50 and CLS-1 have now been superseded by the wonderful new Contacta HLD3.
Leave a Reply