Where can I find a smoke detector for the hearing impaired, where the
alarm freequency is lower than a normal smoke alarm?  My mother does
not here high frequencies, which is common among the elderly.

Hello Mschwab and thanks for your question.

Loudenlow, inspired by a popular “Dear Abby” letter calling for better
smoke alarms for seniors, designed this product for people with high
frequency or high pitch hearing loss. It provides a loud, low pitch
audible alarm which is easier for many people to hear.
Read the Dear Abby letter here:
http://thekcpages.com/lnl/abby.html

---------------------------------------------
Loudenlow High Frequency Loss - Smoke Alarms
---------------------------------------------

Loudenlow Smoke Alarms are designed for people with high frequency or
high pitch hearing loss. They provide a loud, low pitch audible alarm
and are battery operated requiring no wiring.

The Loudenlow Smoke Alarm:

- Produces both low and high frequency components.
- Produces 500 hertz and 2500 hertz, 85dB pulses.
- (Typical Alarms only sound at 2500 hertz which is difficult for many
elderly people to hear.)
- Includes Test button and low battery warning signal.
- Uses 4 AA and 9V battery - no wiring required.
- Requires 5" x 9" wall mount space.
- Installs in about 10 minutes.
- 30 day return policy
- 3 year limited warranty
- Sold by The Darrow Company
- $59.00 + $5.99 Shipping & Handling
http://thekcpages.com/lnl/

Hear a sample of the alarm 
http://thekcpages.com/lnl/sounds/dual51.wav

Order Page
http://thekcpages.com/lnl/order.html

Search Criteria:
low frequency smoke alarm for the hearing impaired
low frequency Smoke Detector for the hearing-impaired
hearing impaired  products fire & safety


I hope you find this helpful and if there is anything that I've
written that needs clarification, please ask before you rate this
answer.

Best Regards,
Bobbie7-ga

---

Request for Answer Clarification by mschwab-ga on 25 Oct 2002 04:40 PDT

I tried Loudenlow and even ordered one from them.  2 months later they
emailed my money back, saying they had production problems.  Any other
sources you may be aware of?
Thanks.
Marc

---

Clarification of Answer by bobbie7-ga on 25 Oct 2002 06:22 PDT

Hello Mschwab,

I will do some more research and get back to you.

Thank you

--Bobbie7-ga

---

Clarification of Answer by bobbie7-ga on 25 Oct 2002 07:27 PDT

The Gentex fire alarm system meets your requirements for low frequency
output .

Description:

GMH/GMS 4" Electro-Mechanical Horn for 24VDC Fire Alarm System
Requiring Low Frequency Horn
   
Four-inch, low-frequency electromechanical horn and horn/strobe series
that meets code requirements for supervised fire alarm systems for the
hearing impaired.

The GMH/GMS are suited for areas having high ambient noise levels
where low frequency, higher audible output is required. GMH and WGMS
are available for outdoor use.
   
Standard Features
- Low frequency penetrating sound output
- Low operating current 
- 15, 30 ,60, 15/75, 30/75, and 110 cd   strobe options
-  Strobe maintains constant 1 Hz flash rate   regardless of input
voltage
- Separate horn and strobe function (jumper wire)
-  Screw terminals, separate in/out field   wiring (12 gauge)
- No mechanical contacts 
- Textured high impact plastic faceplate   available in fire alarm red
- Supplied with beauty plugs to accommodate
  mounting option
-  Outdoor use listed
  (GMH and WGMS with 75cd meeting UL 1638)
- Meets or exceeds ADA 4.28.3. requirements
-  UL 464/UL1971 & UL1638 listed for fire protective services/signal
for hearing impaired
http://www.gentex.com/horn_pd_02.html

There are various ways you can order Gentex fire protection products:

1. Write to them at Gentex Fire Protection Group,
    10985 Chicago Drive, Zeeland, MI 49464. 

2. Call their headquarters at 1.800.GENTEX1 (1.800.436.8391) 

3. Fax them at 1.800.GENTEX2 (1.800.436.8392) 

4. Download then print the credit application that can be mailed in.
   Download or View here. http://www.gentex.com/pdf/creditapp.pdf

5. E-mail 
 
http://www.gentex.com/fire_protection_products7.html


I hope this works for you.

Sincerely
--Bobbie7-ga

Thanks for the response.  Matt is correct.  I reordered and received a
smoke detector from Loudenlow several months after the above post, and
my mother can hear it clear as a bell.  It's a great product, and
fills a needed niche given the great # of elderly with this type of
hearing loss.  The company was a pleasure to deal with both during the
production problems, and again later when this was available.  I
highly recommend this product!
Marc

SafeHome (www.safehome.net) has just released a Smoke detector package
that Alerts your neighbors (multiple neighbors if you want). This
would be ideal for the hearing impaired where no amount of audio or
flashing lights would wake them.