Product News Innovative hearing loss device launched


Global telecommunication specialist Geemarc has announced details of a new piece of equipment for those with hearing loss. A cutting-edge connector


that will fit any corded telephone, TextHear Personal allows the deaf and hard of hearing to have text displayed on their smart phones/tablets, in parallel to the telephone conversation. Although speech-to-text


technology has been available for well over a decade, early products had many limitations, particularly regarding accuracy of speech recognition and the requirement for training. Geemarc Telecom SA together with Texthear Ltd have spent years researching and developing the technology behind speech recognition and translation, with the


Hybrid lighting solution unveiled


Specialist in low energy, low carbon solutions, Monodraught, and manufacturer of ‘smart’ LED lighting, Photonstar, have collaborated to launch a hybrid lighting development, Sunpipe LuxLoop, which they say maximises the benefits of the former’s Sunpipe and the latter’s LuxLoop systems. Hybrid lighting solutions are produced via


a combination of four technologies: collecting natural light; generating artificial light; transporting and distributing light to where it is needed; and continuously controlling the amounts of both natural and artificial light. During daylight, the Sunpipe collects


‘healthy natural light’ with its patented high- impact acrylic diamond dome, directs it through a micro-silver mirror-finished aluminium tube, and distributes it evenly through the ceiling diffuser. The system is complemented by Photonstar’s advanced LuxLoop LED system, and ‘intelligently managed’ by the Halcyon wireless control system. A representative from Monodraught says:


“The integration of Sunpipe increases the life of the LEDs and leads to fewer replacements. Sunpipe is proven and tested to maintain its performance over long periods. “The quadruple-glazed system minimises


heat loss gain and achieves high thermal performance, resulting in a complete, ultra-low energy lighting system suitable for any location, with guaranteed lighting performance and an expected 50,000 to 100,000-hour lifetime.”


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result being their most accurate and versatile product yet –TextHear Personal. In conjunction with the


connector, the TextHear Personal App can be downloaded to any Android phone or tablet. There is no set up required and what’s more, users are able to speak to the product using normal conversational tone and speed. This is something that Geemarc considers to be incredibly important as it alleviates the frustrations


experienced with existing products and significantly increases accuracy (to around 90 per cent of words being recognised first time, according to tests carried out by UK charity Action on Hearing Loss). Advanced functionality within TextHear Personal now means the App is able to use


inbuilt microphones to translate verbal messages and present them as text; furthermore, it will then add in punctuation and spacing, to aid comprehension. The only requirement for the App is that the


device needs to be connected to the Internet, as it uses remotely hosted speech-to-text engines for translation. The development of TextHear Personal has already caught the attention of hearing loss charities. Ruth Myers MBE, comments: “The


application has great potential to enhance the lives of deaf people and will help to open up access to areas that have historically only been accessible with communication support.” Product technologist for Action on Hearing


Loss, Kevin Taylor, states: “This could be the breakthrough that people with hearing loss and deafness have been waiting for and we look forward to seeing further enhancements to the App over the coming months.”


Time and money saving shower system


Dupal UK has launched the ‘recyclable’ L8 shower head system. A representative from the company says:


“We believe compliance to ACoP L8 and HTM 01 guidelines needn’t increase costs, or result in time consuming auditing for healthcare establishments. “Manufactured in the UK, our L8 shower


head system offers a simple solution. The components have antibacterial properties to boost infection prevention and control, and are designed to replace existing shower heads and hoses, with each head and hose colour-coded to ensure that not a single shower is missed or forgotten.


“The heads and hoses are fully


recyclable, eliminating the need to incinerate or send used shower components to landfill. The L8 shower saves time for the estates team fitting the showers, and for personnel auditing and reporting quarterly compliance.”


Specialist ironmongery for dementia care


Leading architectural ironmonger, BJ Waller, has provided specialist hardware for a new dementia care unit at Margaret House, a residential care home in Barley, Hertfordshire. The 24-bed unit, designed by architect


Portess and Richardson, is located in a purpose-built environment adjacent to the main house, a former rectory. Portess and Richardson, which has worked closely with BJ Waller since its establishment in


1982, commissioned the company to provide the ironmongery schedule for the 74 doors in the dementia care unit. “The key requirement was to balance the


requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act accessibility-wise, with the need for effective access control for the safety of residents and staff,” explains Paul Ingle of Portess and Richardson. For security doors, BJ Waller provided an


electronic access system requiring keypad operation, while bedroom doors incorporate high quality stainless steel lever handles ‘for simple one-handed operation’, complemented by electronic swing-free door closers, allowing people to safely enter without risk of the door slamming shut, and panic release locks for ease of opening in emergency situations.


www.thecarehomeenvi ronment .com • January 2017


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