# A Question for deaf Dopers **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 7, 2023, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-deaf-dopers/982346 "2023-04-07T23:24:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2023, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-deaf-dopers/982346/1 "2023-04-07T23:24:40Z")
My hearing is very nearly gone and I’m preparing myself for profound deafness (72, male). For overnight use I need: - a paging device that can be used to wake me up in an emergency. - a smoke detector Obviously, sound alerts are pointless. Any recommendations? ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2023, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-deaf-dopers/982346/2 "2023-04-07T23:35:00Z")
I’ve got pretty bad hearing, and since I don’t have hearing aids in when I sleep, I set an alarm that is raucous, buzzes through earbuds that I sleep with, vibrates the entire bed, and I’m looking into flashing lights as well. I would hope there’s a strobing fire/smoke alarm on the market. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2023, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-deaf-dopers/982346/3 "2023-04-07T23:42:46Z")
> [@digs](#): > > I would hope there’s a strobing fire/smoke alarm on the market. I have a Google Nest smoke/CO detector. It’s super loud when something happens and it can be controlled by a phone app which has functions for the hard of hearing like the phone buzzing or the alarm playing through speakers. I imagine all smart smoke detectors have something similar. ---
**Author:** ![Dancer\_Flight](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dancer_flight/32/7601_2.png) [@Dancer\_Flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dancer_Flight)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2023, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-deaf-dopers/982346/4 "2023-04-07T23:43:51Z")
> [@digs](#): > > I would hope there’s a strobing fire/smoke alarm on the market. Several. Kidde and First Alert make them: Amazon link for a hardwired option (they also make battery versions): [https://www.amazon.com/First-Alert-7020BSL-Hardwired-Impaired/dp/B079MD58PL?th=1](https://www.amazon.com/First-Alert-7020BSL-Hardwired-Impaired/dp/B079MD58PL?th=1) When I was at a product expo for my store’s banner I brought in a few that I thought would sell given our demographics but they stale dated out. -DF ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2023, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-deaf-dopers/982346/5 "2023-04-07T23:46:55Z")
Regarding the smoke detectors, [best smoke detectors for people with hearling loss](https://www.hearingtracker.com/resources/best-smoke-detectors-for-people-with-hearing-loss) might be of use. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2023, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-deaf-dopers/982346/6 "2023-04-07T23:50:45Z")
Apparently there are some devices you can put under you pillow that will shake when an alarm goes off. > The specialized alarm, commonly referred to as a ‘Bed Shaker,’ is installed next to the bed, and alerts those in the home using a strobe light and vibrating pad that can be placed under the mattress or pillow. It’s activated when an accompanying traditional smoke alarm sounds. > **[Special alarm installed by Red Cross](https://www.redcross.org/local/south-carolina/about-us/news-and-events/news/special-alarm-installed-by-red-cross.html)** ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2023, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-deaf-dopers/982346/7 "2023-04-08T00:16:02Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > It’s super loud when something happens and it can be controlled by a phone app which has functions for the hard of hearing like the phone buzzing or the alarm playing through speakers. My iPhone has a setting for the flashlight to flash when the phone is ringing. If that could be connected to the Google Nest, then there would be a flashing light when the smoke detector goes off. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2023, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-deaf-dopers/982346/8 "2023-04-08T02:32:32Z")
I wear aids since age 60, am 64 now, and will probably be in deep hearing shit by the time I’m 80 in 15 years. If my ears last that long. For the last few years I had been dealing with my late aged MIL’s profound hearing loss. Which included getting her all the gizmos you mention and more. My advice: Check out these folks. > **[Diglo | Hearing Loss & Deaf Products | Harris Communications](https://www.diglo.com/)** > > Diglo (formerly Harris Communications) offers the largest selection of hearing loss products at the guaranteed lowest prices. Free shipping & returns! They’re not the only decent vendor, but they’ve got a decent assortment and you’ll learn some vocabulary for further searching. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2023, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-deaf-dopers/982346/9 "2023-04-08T05:29:41Z")
All this is _exactly_ the advice I was seeking. Hope it keeps coming for a while. Many thanks! ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2023, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-deaf-dopers/982346/10 "2023-04-08T13:25:30Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > My advice: Check out these folks. Yep, I second the recommendation of Diglo.