How does the Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock work?
Using a patented sensor, the Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock continuously monitors the environment for conventional smoke alarms that use the international evacuation T-3 pattern. Link to the T-3 definition. When the Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock recognizes the T-3 pattern from a smoke alarm, it activates a 520 Hz square-wave sound alarm, using the international evacuation T-3 pattern (link to hearing test). This alarm uses low and multiple frequencies to awaken individuals with significant moderate to high frequency hearing loss, children and heavy sleepers in a fire emergency. It also performs as an everyday alarm clock using the 520 Hz square-wave sound pattern.
For a diagram of how the Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock works see our product page.
What smoke alarms are compatible with the Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock? Do I need to change my existing smoke alarm?
The Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock cannot work with older smoke alarms that do not use the “temporal three” “T-3” alarm pattern mandated in 1999 for installed smoke alarms (click for T-3 information). If your home has incompatible smoke alarms, the last part of the Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock test that requires testing your installed smoke alarm will fail. Please refer to your smoke alarm user's manual regarding how often to replace your smoke alarm.
What is the Smoke Alarm Compatibility Test?
As part of the set-up procedure for the Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock, a Smoke Alarm Compatibility Test needs to be conducted to determine if the Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock can recognize your installed smoke alarm's signal. (You will also be asked to test your smoke alarm system to ensure it is in proper working order.) If the Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock successfully recognizes your smoke alarm's signal, it will begin alarming as if there were a fire emergency. Because many smoke alarm systems are difficult to test from the floor, if you think you might be unable to activate one of your smoke alarms or the smoke alarm system safely by yourself, please ask someone to assist you.
How well does the Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock work?
The 520 Hz square-wave sound, used in the Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock, has been proven much more effective at waking sleeping individuals with mild to moderately severe hearing loss than conventional smoke alarms. In fact, 95% of the hard of hearing participants in this independent study were awakened by the 85 dB (at the pillow) 520 Hz square-wave sound. It was by far the most effective alarm signal in the study, which also compared the waking effectiveness of strobe lights, bed shakers, pillow shakers, and the 3100 Hz signal emitted by traditional smoke alarms (Waking Effectiveness of Alarms (auditory, visual, tactile) for adults who are hard of hearing).
The Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock has received positive reviews from industry experts and consumers. For a full list of reviews visit our testimonial page.
How is the alarm in the Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock different from the alarm in my smoke alarm?
The Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock has a 520 Hz square-wave sound pattern alarm that utilizes low and multiple frequencies which are heard better by the hearing impaired. In contrast, the vast majority of smoke alarms generate alarms above 3000Hz, a very high pitched tone. Research shows that for most people with hearing loss, the ability to hear sounds above 2000Hz is greatly diminished. This is especially true for people with age-related hearing loss, a condition called presbycusis.
Independent testing has proven that the 520 Hz square-wave sound pattern is more effective than traditional audio or strobe smoke alarms in waking seniors, children and those experiencing mild to moderately severe hearing loss. [Hard of Hearing, Alcohol Impaired, Effectiveness of Different Alarms on Children and Reducing Deaths in Older Adults]
What is the patented sensor?
The Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock utilizes a patented sensor specifically designed to listen for your smoke alarm signal. When the sensor hears the smoke alarm, it activates a low and multiple frequency alarm that is more effective at awakening people in a fire emergency.
Why can't I put anything on top of the clock?
The black dome on top of the clock contains a sound sensor. This sensor is constantly monitoring to listen for smoke alarm signals. When the sensor detects a smoke alarm signal, it will alarm. Covering the dome will interfere with the sensor's ability to detect a smoke alarm sound.
What is the Dust Protector?
The Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock has a black domed grille located on its top to prevent objects from being placed on top of the clock and blocking its sensor. A dust protector is located underneath that grille. It should be inspected annually for accumulation of dust by looking at the top of the clock to see if its normally black appearance has turned a light gray. A small accumulation of dust will not impair the operation of the Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock. If a large amount is seen, simply vacuum or blow the dust off the protective layer through the grille. Do not attempt to remove the grille; you will damage the sensor.
If my power goes out, will my Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock work?
Yes, if the installed smoke alarm system has battery back-up and is working the Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock itself will have seven day battery backup if the required four alkaline D cell batteries have been installed in the product. So if you have ensured battery back up capability for both the installed smoke alarm system and your Lifetone product, even if your power goes out, the Lifetone product will continue to function for emergency alarming purposes for at least seven days. However, the built-in wake-up alarm will only work for the first 24 hours of those 7 days.
How will I know when it's time to change the batteries?
When the batteries are low, the Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock will display an “ERROR” message, a flashing battery icon and the word “BATT” on the front panel. It is recommended that you install four new alkaline D cell batteries.
Why can't I use rechargeable batteries?
Rechargeable batteries may cause damage to the Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock and cause it to fail to detect a smoke alarm. Use only four new alkaline D cell batteries.
What is the Bed-shaker feature on the Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock?
The Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock is equipped with a bed shaker as an extra layer of protection to help awaken the hearing imparied. This is a lightweight, portable device that when activated will vibrate. Normal placement is between the mattress and box spring. The shaker may also be placed under the pillow. It is often put in a miniature washable “pillow case” and secured under the pillow with safety pins so that it does not fall off the bed.
The Lifetone Bed Shaker can be plugged directly into the back of the Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock. When the Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock recognizes a smoke alarm signal, it activates the bed shaker, which will then vibrate. The Lifetone Bed Shaker will vibrate intermittently using a 1 1/2 second-on/2 1/2 second-off pattern for ten minutes unless the TEST/SILENCE button is pressed. The Lifetone Bed Shaker is water resistant and UL approved.
What is the difference between a bed and pillow shaker?
A bed shaker is usually a larger unit that is powerful enough to vibrate an entire mattress, and is placed under the mattress. A pillow shaker is usually a smaller unit that is placed under the pillow that may not be powerful enough to vibrate a mattress.
How can I tell if my bed-shaker may not be working properly?
Plug the Lifetone Bed Shaker in the back of the Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock. If an “”ERROR” message appears on the alarm clock panel and the bed shaker icon is flashing, the bed shaker could be defective. Please make sure the bed shaker is completely plugged into the back of the clock. The Lifetone HL® Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock will also sound a low pitched ‘chirp' at 10 second intervals to indicate the shaker is not operating properly and must be disconnected.
Please note: The Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock may be used with the Lifetone Bed Shaker which has been certified for use with the Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock. Do not use any other pillow or bed shaker with the Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock as doing so invalidates the certification, and any Lifetone Technology™ warranties or claims of fitness for purpose.
Who might not wake up to a conventional smoke alarm?
At-risk individuals are those with hearing loss, seniors, children, deep sleepers (including sleep-deprived people) and people under the influence of alcohol. Other individuals likely to be at risk are people under the influence of certain medicines or other drugs which affect their ability to wake up.
Why should I consider obtaining a Lifetone product if I already have a smoke alarm that uses a strobe light?
One drawback of most alarms with strobe lights is the lack of a secondary power source if the power is out due to a power outage or due to a short in the residence's electrical wiring. Strobe lights require a great deal of power and for this reason, have not been required by NFPA codes to be backed up with a secondary power source in the event of a power outage, even though conventional hard-wired alarms must have such secondary power sources. Unfortunately, most deaf and hard of hearing people have probably not realized this limitation of strobe alarms.
Another drawback is that many alarms with strobe lights are stand-alone alarms that are activated only when there is smoke inside the room. Stand-alone alarms will not provide notification of smoke or fire elsewhere in the residence or building as early as interconnected alarms will, which are designed to activate all the alarms in the system whenever any alarm is triggered. Because smoke and fire can overwhelm a residence or cut off exit routes within minutes, early notification of smoke and fire can be critical for saving lives.
A third drawback is that powerful strobe lights were found to be ineffective at waking up more than 70% of people with mild to moderately-severe hearing loss from deep sleep in the “Waking Effectiveness” study. And even if strobe lights appear to be effective for some individuals at night, they may be considerably less effective if there is sunlight in the room and if the individual is still asleep.
Lifetone products are designed to be backed up by batteries and will work even if a fire causes a short in the household wiring (as long as the smoke alarm system continues to be powered). People who wear hearing aids and/or cochlear implants when awake, or who have residual hearing at 520 Hz, will also be likely to hear the 520 Hz square-wave signal even if they are not in the room where the Lifetone product is.
Where can I find out more about fire safety issues?
See the links that we've provided to relevant articles. You may also find pertinent fire safety information at The Home Safety Council website.
Are there programs to help with the cost of products like the Lifetone products?
Some states and local areas have special programs that provide accessible smoke alarms to eligible deaf and hard of hearing people. We would suggest contacting your local fire department or local agencies serving deaf and hard of hearing people to ask if they are aware of any such programs for your area. We'd be interested in hearing from readers of any such programs so that we can provide an online web page that provides information about such programs.
If you are a healthcare professional or fire service personnel visit our Discounts page for a promotion on our Lifetone products.
Hard of Hearing and Product Glossary
What is a decibel (dB)?
A decibel is a measurement of sound level. Our ears detect changes in sound level in a non-linear fashion. A decibel is a logarithmic scale of loudness. A difference of 1 decibel is the minimum perceptible change in volume, 3 dB is a moderate change and 10 decibels is doubling of volume.
Examples of decibel levels are:
- Whisper: 15-25 dB
- Background noise: 35 dB
- Normal home or office background: 40-60 dB
- Normal speaking voice: 65-70 dB
- The Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock: 85 dB (when placed 3 feet from your bedside)
What is a T-3 pattern?
A T-3 pattern, otherwise known as the “three pulse” or “temporal three” pattern, is a sound pattern with three half-second repetitions of the same sound separated by half-second pauses, followed by a 1.5 second pause after the third repetition. The alarm sounds like this: “beep beep beep pause”, “beep beep beep pause”, “beep beep beep pause”. (Note that if your current smoke alarm does not use this pattern, it will not be compatible with Lifetone products.) The T-3 pattern has been used as a standard acoustic pattern in smoke alarms to indicate an immediate need to evacuate.
What is a Hertz (Hz)?
One hertz is one cycle per second, and is the unit of measurement for frequencies. Higher frequencies like 3000 or 4000 Hz, are sounds you would hear from musical instruments like a soprano saxophone, flute or piccolo, while lower frequencies like 500 Hz would be above a bass tone or sound from a tuba.
What is Presbycusis?
This is an age-related condition causing gradually progressive hearing loss, especially for high frequency sounds. Presbycusis most often occurs in both ears. Because the loss is so gradual, people with presbycusis may not realize that their hearing is diminishing. They may have trouble distinguishing and understanding conversation in a noisy setting but everything is fine in a quiet room. Presbycusis is common, affecting a third of people between 65 and 75 years and up to half of people 75 and over.
What is Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)?
According to the American Hearing Research Foundation, noise induced hearing loss is “hearing impairment resulting from prolonged exposure to high levels of noise.” and “Excessive noise exposure is the most common cause of hearing loss.” Younger people are at risk of NIHL due to exposure to loud sounds from iPods or MP3 players. For more information about NIHL, see: http://www.american-hearing.org/disorders/hearing/noise_induced.html, http://www.hei.org/news/facts/nihlfact.htm.
What is a fluctuating hearing loss?
A fluctuating hearing loss temporarily changes in severity at different frequencies and is unpredictable. A common cause of fluctuating hearing loss is Meniere's disease, but it can also be caused by ear infections. People with widely fluctuating hearing loss would be encouraged to use an alerting system with multiple types of signals (audible, tactile and perhaps visual) to ensure that they are alerted effectively no matter what the present condition of their hearing is.
What is a Square Wave?
A square-wave is difficult for most people to understand! Technically, it is a waveform that rises quickly from zero to a particular level of loudness where it remains constant for a period of time, then drops fast at the end. In the case of the 520 Hz square-wave, the sound has been described as discordant, and it contains odd integer harmonics of the fundamental 520 Hz frequency. The 520 Hz square-wave signal was found to be more effective at waking people up than a 500 pure tone signal, perhaps because it contains multiple frequencies and also is perceived as discordant.
What is an interconnected smoke alarm system?
All the alarms (often contained within the same appliance) are designed to be activated if any sensor in the system is triggered. This has the very important advantage of alerting occupants early to the presence of smoke or fire that may be distant from the current location of the occupants.