ListenTALK tackles isolation in community of older adults

Listen Technologies Corporation’s ListenTalk is helping older adults in an independent living community in the US overcome hearing loss and language barriers, so they can participate in group events and social gatherings.

The Crown Center for Senior Living, in Missouri, provides affordable apartments and serves as a community centre for seniors, who participate in programmes, classes and supportive services. Many of the facility’s users have a degree of hearing loss, while members of the community also speak different languages. These factors make clear communication challenging and have led to some adults becoming withdrawn and lonely.  

Audio distributor AudioLinks recommended that ListenTALK was used at the Crown Center because of the system’s sound quality, ease of use and simultaneous interpretation functionality. The centre tested the portable communication system with staff and residents, with and without hearing loss, to ensure the system would benefit its community. 

ListenTALK features a small, lightweight transceiver (combined transmitter/receiver) that users can wear around their neck and plug into personal, or venue-provided, headphones or headsets. To speak, users press and hold a button on the transceiver. Clear audio is transmitted to other transceivers paired to their ListenTALK unit. Users can hear up to 100m indoors and 200m outdoors. 

Transceivers are easily grouped in a docking station or by tapping units together using near-field communication. Leaders in each group choose how their group communicates by selecting one of three communication modes: ‘listen only’, ‘respond’ and ‘discuss’.  

The system can transmit language interpretation, with the person who is interpreting simply creating a separate group for residents who prefer to listen in that language.  

The Crown Center uses ListenTALK for presentations, group discussions and weekly movie screenings. Residents and staff also use ListenTALK during one-on-one meetings with family members. 

Laura Greenberg, the Crown Center’s community engagement manager, said: “We were extremely impressed with the sound quality of ListenTALK. It’s also given us a way to communicate and connect with clients who do not speak English.”