Strobes/horns And The Hearing Impaired

Strobes/horns Alerting Someone Hard Of Hearing

If you or a loved one have difficulty hearing a typical alarm system may not be sufficient for your needs. After all a household alarm system is so much more than a Burglar Alarm. Of course it is supposed to alert you to a break in, but is also your smoke detector, the Carbon Monoxide detector, and even a flood detector. Some systems can even alert you to the potential for extreme weather (flooding, tornadoes, etc.) in the near future.

A typical residential alarm system uses sound to notify residents of an alert condition. There is an obvious gap in usability for the hearing impaired.

Commercial systems require the addition of strobes (bright flashing lights), and low frequency sounders to supplement traditional high-pitched sirens. The strobes are slow timed to reduce the possibility of blinding people and lower the potential for triggering epileptic episodes. However, they are bright enough that even a person with their eyes closed will still be alerted.

The low frequency sounders emit lower pitches that can almost be felt in one’s chest. Even someone with difficulty hearing may be able to feel the vibration on their skin.

Residential systems aren’t required to comply with the same notification standards.

Even if hearing is not an issue, if the client regularly sleeps through their alarm clock, a conventional siren may be insufficient.

Fire sirens and strobes can be integrated into many Residential Alarm Systems for under $1,000.

Contact Us or your local installer for more information.