b'Symptom ManagementCommunication AidsCommunication AidsFinding the right aid for you. Finding the right aid for you. Communication is how we as individualsAssistive listening devicesexpress ourselves. It allows us to get ourALDs can help you communicate in one-point across, to show another individual weon-oneconversationsbyamplifyingthe understand them, and it makes us feel likesound of your speech and the speech of we are not alone in this world. But what ifothers. The type of device that works best for your communication is hampered by youryou will depend upon the extent of your multiple sclerosis? How can you communicatehearing difficulties. a simple sentence if your mind and body areAudioinduction/hearingloop:This not cooperating?devicecanhelptotransmitsoundsusing Fortunately, technology has made suchelectromagnetic energy. The four parts of a large advances that communication is nowhearing loop include a sound source such as feasible for everyone. With the help of assis- a telephone or microphone, an amplifier, a tive devices and technology, many optionsreceiver that can be worn in your ear or as a are available to help amplify the sound ofheadset, and a thin loop of wire that encircles your speech, express yourself through syn- a room or branches out beneath any carpeting.thesized speech, and remain alert if you areFM systems:These systems use radio having trouble with hearing. The terminol- signals to make sounds louder. For example, ogy for these assistive devices may vary, buttheindividualwouldwearamicrophone the goal of technology is to help improve theconnected to a transmitter, and the other person quality of life for those who have issues withwithwhomtheconversationisoccurring communication.wears a receiver tuned to a specic channel. ThethreemaincategoriesofassistivePeople with hearing aids or cochlear implants devices available are assistive listening devices,can use a neck loop or silhouette inductor to augmentative and alternative communicationturn radio signals into magnetic signals for devices, and alerting devices. Lets go throughtheir devices. FM systems work up to 300 each category and understand how thesefeet and can be used in public places, but devices can help improve the ability to converselisteners need to use different channels in with others.different rooms to avoid mixed signals. msfocusmagazine.org 10 msfocusmagazine.org'