Alerting and alarm devices designed for people who are hearing impaired keep you connected and safe every day and in emergency situations. They mostly use one or more of these types of signals:

Visual: A bright flashing light
Vibrotactile: A vibrating or shaking component
Auditory: increased volume and use of lower frequency sounds

In general, alerting devices include specialized alarm clocks, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide monitors, doorbell and phone signalers, baby cry alerts, and weather alerts. Many of these are intended to be used when a person is asleep and not wearing their hearing aid.

As smartphone technology improves, many of these functions are possible via your phone. For example, if you have a doorbell camera, you can turn on vibrating phone notifications when the camera senses motion or someone rings the bell.