“Hear the Beep Where you Sleep” is a national campaign by the National Fire Protection Association focusing on ensuring every room used for sleeping in a residential home has a working smoke alarm. The majority of residential fire fatalities occur between 11 pm and 7 am when most people are sleeping. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, most residential fire fatalities involve children and the elderly. Many local schools promote the “Hear the Beep Where you Sleep” campaign to educate children on the importance of fire prevention safety. The Red Cross partners with local fire departments across the country to provide and install smoke alarms for families when needed. Unfortunately, the 3000 Hz – 4000 Hz alarm generated by a typical residential smoke detector does not meet the needs of those with even a mild to moderate hearing loss (see 50% Chance of Sleeping Through Working Smoke Detector). Decades of research has shown that a low-frequency square wave signal in conjunction with a bed shaker is most effective in waking individuals with hearing loss from deep stages of sleep. These specialized smoke alarms are commercially available (i.e. Lifetone Bedside Fire Alarm) but at a cost of about $200 compared to $15-$20 for traditional residential smoke detectors.
Pediatric audiologist at The ENT Center at Akron Children’s Hospital recognized the need to better serve their patients by offering families access to suitable residential smoke detector technology. A grant through Akron Children’s Hospital’s Kids are #1 Fun Run helped establish the smoke alarm program. For the past year, the pediatric audiology team worked to raise additional funds to provide product at no charge and partnered with Oaktree Products for product fulfillment. On June 10, 2019, the ENT Center’s smoke alarm program officially rolled out. Within the first two weeks, 18 families received a Lifetone Bedside Fire Alarm & Clock with Bed Shaker. “The families have been so grateful,” said Kristen Santelmann, AuD. According to Shelley Duncan, AuD, they anticipate supplementing this project in future years with other grants, possibly partnering with outreach through Akron Children’s Burn Center. “Children deserve the right to safety in their home,” said Duncan, “and we enjoy being able to help make this possible with this local program”.
“The families are so grateful!” – Kristen Santelmann, AuD
For more information on how to create a similar smoke alarm program for families in your area, contact Shelley Duncan (SDuncan2@akronchildrens.org), Kristen Santelmann (KSantelmann@akronchildrens.org) or A.U. Bankaitis Smith (au@oaktreeproducts.com). Be sure to access smoke detector and hearing loss resource information from the Oaktree Products website including:
- Smoke Detector Facts for Patients
- Free Smoke Detectors & Hearing Loss Brochure
- Smoke Detectors & Hearing Loss Research Summary
- Facts about Residential Fires
- Residential Smoke Detector Signal Requirements
Read up on what you need to know and tell patients about hearing loss and smoke detectors:
- Alarming Facts About Smoke Detectors – AudiologyOnline Article
- Alarming Facts About Smoke Detectors – Oaktree TV
- Alarming Facts Audiologist Must Know – Audiology Today, page 40-45)
- Research Summary of Smoke Detectors and Hearing Loss – Alarming Facts Every Audiologist Should Know – Audiology Solutions Network download
