Pagers are one way communication devices used for receiving messages, alerts or alarm messages. There are different models are available that use text, visual/light or vibration to alert of incoming messages. Pagers can facilitate communication over distances for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing that may not be able to hear audio calls, requests or safety alarms.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
Paging devices are used widely within the community as a means of receiving messages, although SMS or text messaging to and from mobile phones supersedes these devices in most instances.
However for individuals that are Deaf or hard of hearing, paging devices with vibrating or visual light alerting systems can be critical for safety and productivity within the workplace. Paging systems can be linked to doorbells, telephones or buttons installed at reception areas so when any of these are activated the pager receiver either vibrates or displays a visual light as an alert to respond.
For safety reasons within the workplace, smoke alarms that generally activate and alert through an auditory alarm, can also be adapted to include large strobe light visual alarms and vibrating alerts sent to a paging device worn by the individual with the hearing difficulty. For further information see:
References
Department of Community Safety: Queensland Fire and Rescue service 2009, Smoke Alarm Systems, Queensland Government, Brisbane, viewed 14 April 2010, http://www.emergency.qld.gov.au/smokealarms/pdf/Smoke%20Alarm%20System.doc.
Word of Mouth Technology 2007, Alerting systems, Word of Mouth Technology, Boronia, viewed 14 April 2010, http://www.wom.com.au/category.php?c=3+.