Device for the hearing impaired

A warning device for the hearing impaired comprising:

• an acoustic to electric device having an electrical output responding to an acoustic emission from an acoustic source;
• a first signal path coupling the acoustic to electric device with an intermediate block;
• one or more second signal paths coupling respective non-audible annunciators with the intermediate block;
• within the intermediate block, an assessor element operable to assess one or more characteristics of the electrical output of the acoustic to electric device in a pre-determined frequency band;
• within the intermediate block, a reference element including one or more reference sources for providing respective reference characteristics, each reference characteristic indicative of an audible event calling for immediate action;
• and,
• within the intermediate block, a comparison element operable to cause operation of a particular non-audible annunciator when in the pre-determined frequency band at least one characteristic of the electrical output of the acoustic to electric device bears a pre-determined relationship with a reference characteristic.