SAVIT Solutions
SAVIT Solutions
  • Home
  • IT Services
  • AV Services & Equipment
    • AV Services
    • AV Equipment
  • Security Services
  • Residential Services
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Support
  • More
    • Home
    • IT Services
    • AV Services & Equipment
      • AV Services
      • AV Equipment
    • Security Services
    • Residential Services
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Support
  • Home
  • IT Services
  • AV Services & Equipment
    • AV Services
    • AV Equipment
  • Security Services
  • Residential Services
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Support
Pro AV Catalog Home | My-iQ
Search by Category
Search by Manufacturer
Search by Category
Audio
Acoustic Materials
Assistive Listening
Audio Controllers
DJ Equipment
Headphones, Headsets & Earsets
Language Interpretation
Listening Centers / Stations
Microphones
Public Address (PA), Paging & Background Music Systems
Radio Communications Systems
Sound Masking & Speech Privacy Systems
Soundfield Systems
Speakers
Tour Group Systems
Cameras
Camcorders
Camera Auxiliary Equipment
Camera Controls
Camera Lenses
Camera Power Supplies
Camera Supports
Cameras - Special Application
Cameras - Studio Video
Digital Cameras (Still)
Cases & Bags
Audio Equipment Cases
Protective Cases
Soft Equipment Bags
Video Equipment Cases
Computers & Software
AV Software
Computer Auxiliary Equipment
Computer Components & Storage
Computers (Professional)
Conferencing
Audio Conferencing Equipment
Conferencing / Discussion Systems
Telephony & VoIP Systems
Video Conferencing Equipment
Content Management
Content Recording & Storage Systems
Digital & Streaming Media Distribution Equipment
Control
Control Panels & Interfaces
Control Systems
Displays
Displays & Monitors
Video Walls
Furniture
AV Furniture
AV Lifts
Consoles
Monopods & Tripods
Stands
Home Technology/Automation
Blinds, Shades & Window Coverings
Environmental Management
Lighting & Studio
Camera Lighting & Flashes
Light Stands & Booms
Lighting Auxiliary Equipment
Lighting Cables
Lighting Cases & Covers
Lighting Control Systems
Lighting Fixtures
Lighting Power Supplies
On-Light Modifiers
Portable Lighting
Stage Equipment
Strobe Lighting
Studio & Posing Equipment
Mounts & Rigging
Mounts
Rigging
Networking & Cabling
Cables & Connectors
Ceiling, Floor, Table & Wall Boxes
Channel Strips, Boxes & Processors
Fans & Coolers
Fiber Optic Systems
Network Equipment
Plates & Panels
Racks
Power
Energy Monitoring & Management
Power Distribution
Power Supplies
Presentation
Annotation
Document Cameras (Visualizers)
Environmental Controls
Markerboards & Easels
Projection Screens
Projectors & Accessories
Training Aids
Whiteboards
Production
Audio Production Equipment
Production Duplication
Production Recording Equipment
Video Production Equipment
Security & Safety
Access Control
Intercom & IFB Systems
Security / Life Safety Call & Paging
Security Systems
Surveillance Equipment
Signal Management
Meters & Monitoring Equipment
Radio Frequency (RF)
Signal Processing Systems
Signal Routing / Switching
Test & Measurement Equipment
Wireless Signal Processing
Search by Manufacturer
All Manufacturers
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
back to top
ACE Backstage Co., Inc.
Acer
Adamson Systems Engineering
ADJ (American DJ)
AJA Video
Akai Professional
AKG Acoustics, U.S.
Allen & Heath
Ansmann USA
Antari Fog Machine
APC by Schneider Electric
ARRI Inc.
Artison
Aruba Instant On
Astera LED Technology
AtlasIED
Atlona Technologies
Atomos Inc.
Audinate Pty Ltd.
Audio-Technica U.S., Inc.
Audix
Aurora LED, LLC
Aurora Multimedia Corp.
AVID Products, Inc.
Avid Technology, Inc.
Aviom, Inc.
Avolites America, Inc.
AVProConnect
AVProConnect
Azure Development Solutions Ltd
B
back to top
B&C Speakers
Behringer
Belden
Belkin International
BenQ
beyerdynamic Inc.
Blackmagic Design
Boston Acoustics
BrightSign, LLC
Brilliant
Brompton Technology Limited
BSS Audio, Ltd.
BTX Technologies, Inc.
C
back to top
C2G
ChamSys
CHAUVET Professional
Chief
Christie
Chroma-Q
City Theatrical
Clear-Com
ClearOne
Coastal Source
Color Kinetics
D
back to top
D&M Professional
D-Link Systems
D-Tools, Inc.
d3 Technologies Ltd
Da-Lite
DAS Audio
DataComm Electronics, Inc.
Datapath Ltd.
dB Technologies
dbx, Inc.
Decimator Design
Dell Inc.
Digital Projection International
DISH Network
Display Devices, Inc.
Dolby Laboratories Professional Live Sound Group
DoorBird
Doug Fleenor Design, Inc.
DPA Microphones, Inc.
Draper, Inc.
E
back to top
Earthquake Sound Corporation
Earthworks, Inc.
EAW - Eastern Acoustic Works
Eiki International, Inc.
Elation Lighting
Electronic Theatre Controls Inc.
Elite Core Audio
Elite Screens, Inc.
EnGenius Technologies
EPSON
Ethereal
Extron Electronics
F
back to top
Focusrite
Focusrite Pro
FOR-A Corp. of America
FSR, Inc.
FTR Limited
Fujifilm Corp.
Fujinon, Inc.
Fujitsu
Fulcrum Acoustic
Furman
G
back to top
Gator
Gefen LLC
Global Display Solutions
Greenlee Communications
Group One, Ltd.
H
back to top
Haivision
Hall Technologies
Hewlett-Packard Company
Hitachi America Ltd.
Hitachi Kokusai Electric America Ltd.
Holland Electronics
Honeywell Cable
HPRC
HuddleCamHD
I
back to top
i3-Technologies Holdings NV
IEI Technology USA Corp.
InFocus Corporation, Inc.
iPort
J
back to top
J-Tech Digital
James Loudspeaker
James Thomas Engineering
Jands Pty Ltd
JBL Professional
Juice Goose
Jupiter Systems
Just Add Power
Just Add Software
JVC Professional Products Company
K
back to top
K-array USA
Key Digital Systems
Klark Teknik
Klein Tools
Klipsch
König & Meyer
L
back to top
L-ACOUSTICS
Lab.gruppen
Legrand/Wiremold
Lenovo
Leviton
Lex Products
Lexicon, Inc.
LG Electronics, U.S.A
Lightronics
Line 6, Inc.
Link USA, Inc.
Linksys® by Cisco
Listen Technologies Corporation
Livestream Pro Hardware by NEXTcomputing
Logitech, Inc.
Lowel-Light Manufacturing, Inc.
Lowell Manufacturing Co.
Lutron Electronics Company, Inc.
Luxul
LynTec
LYNX Technik
M
back to top
M-Audio
MA Lighting International
Mackie Designs, Inc.
Magewell Electronics
Manfrotto
MantelMount
Marshall Electronics, Inc.
Martin Audio Limited
Martin Professional
Matrox Video
MDG Fog
Microsoft
Midas Consoles
Middle Atlantic Products
MikroTik
MilesTek
Milestone Systems Inc.
N
back to top
NETGEAR AV
Neumann
Neutrik Americas
NewTek, Inc.
Nexo
Nice
Niles
NuTone Inc.
O
back to top
Odyssey
On-Stage Stands
One Systems, Inc.
Onkyo USA
Ophit USA
Optoma Technology, Inc.
P
back to top
Pakedge Device and Software
Panasonic
PANDUIT CORP.
Pathway Connectivity
Peerless-AV
Pelican Products, Inc.
Philips
Pinnacle Speakers
Pinnacle Systems, Inc.
Planet Waves
Point Source Audio
Polk Audio
Poly
PolyVision Corporation
PreSonus
Primacoustic
Pro Co Sound, Inc.
Pro Control
PTZOptics
Purelink
PureLink GmbH
Q
back to top
Q-SYS
Quasar Science
R
back to top
R&R Cases
Radial Engineering
Radiant Opto-Electronic Technology Co.., Ltd.
Rane Corporation
Rational Acoustics LLC
RCF USA
Reel EFX
Remote Technologies, Inc. (RTI)
Renewed Vision
RF Venue
Ring
Robe Lighting, Inc.
RØDE Microphones LLC
Roland
Rolls Corporation
Rosco Laboratories
Rose Brand
Ross Video
RTI (Remote Technologies Inc.)
S
back to top
Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
Sanus Systems (US)
Screen Solutions International
Seagate Technology LLC
Sennheiser
Sharp Electronics Corp.
Sharp NEC Display Solutions
Shure Incorporated
SKB Corporation
SMART Technologies
Snap One
Solid State Logic
Somfy Systems Inc.
Sonance
Sonos
Sound-Craft Systems
StarTech
Structured Cable Products
SunBriteTV
SurgeX
Switchcraft, Inc.
Symetrix Inc.
T
back to top
Tannoy/TGI North America, Inc.
TASCAM
TC Electronic, Inc.
The Light Source, Inc
The Screen Works
THOR: AV
TOMCAT USA
Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc.
Tripp Lite
TurboSound
Tyler Truss Systems Inc.
V
back to top
Vaddio
Vertical Cable
ViewSonic Corp.
Vision Research Inc.
Vivitek Corporation
W
back to top
WALL-SMART LTD
Waves Inc.
West Penn Wire
Whirlwind Music Distributors, Inc.
Williams AV
Wilson Amplifiers
Wilson Electronics
WirelessDMX
WolfVision, Inc.
X
back to top
XTA
Y
back to top
Yamaha Corporation
Z
back to top
ZeeVee, Inc.
Zoom Corporation
Zoom Digital
Zoom Video Communications, Inc.
Pro AV Catalog
Products Manufacturers New Equipment
  • News
  • Contact Us
My-iQ Login
Sign Up
Manufacturers
PRODUCT CATEGORIES
Matching Keywords
Model Numbers
Back to Previous Page

How One Family Connected During COVID

Submitted By

How One Family Connected During COVID
Visit Website
Contact Us
How One Family Connected During COVID
How One Family Connected During COVID How One Family Connected During COVID
Description

As if the pandemic hasn’t been difficult enough on the average person, imagine having dementia combined with moderate-to-severe hearing loss. This was the case with Jean Peterson. Jean was 95 years old, lived in a care facility and commonly wore hearing aids to help her communicate with caretakers, friends and family. The hearing aids helped, but only to a certain point and that was prior to COVID.

“When she actually wore her hearing aids communication was okay, but even then, it was a challenge because dementia brings its own cognitive difficulties,” explains Peterson’s daughter, Bonnie Whitebread. “Even in the best of circumstances, we would have to be physically near her and give her visual cues.”

Fast-forward to spring of 2020 and long-term care facilities are hit hardest by the coronavirus outbreak. While scrambling for protective equipment, many nursing homes across the country banned family visitors, cutting off in-person communication entirely. Peterson’s facility was no different. As time passed, Peterson’s family was eventually allowed “window visits” to see and talk to her through the care facility window.

“The first few visits were a disaster,” says Whitebread. “My sister (Anne Snyder) and I had to wear masks while seated on the other side of a window from our mother. She couldn’t begin to hear us and since we were wearing masks she had no visual cues either. Not only could she not hear what we were saying, without being able to see our lips she didn’t even know if we were speaking. It was so frustrating. We resorted to bringing cardboard signs to tell her we loved and missed her. “

“We thought we could conquer the problem by using the Bluetooth microphone we had for mom’s hearing aids. It was when I was instructing staff how to pair mom’s hearing aids to the transmitter that staff discovered her hearing aids were missing!”

It appeared that there was no hope of Jean hearing her family speak to her on these distanced visits.

Fortunately, Whitebread, a former audiologist, had a Williams AV Pocketalker lying around. “I thought to myself, we’re going to try this,” says Whitebread. “The staff let us slide the sanitized amplifier and headset through the window. I preset the volume for mom and we had an extension cord for the mic so we were able to speak into the mic from outside the window. It was like a miracle happened.” Whitebread and her sister were finally able to say “We love you! We miss you!” – without screaming multiple times through a window or holding up signs.

“It was an entirely different experience,” says Whitebread. “We were able to converse, to connect. It was just amazing to finally be able to reach her”

Whitebread and her sister took it a step further. Because it’s difficult to have an extended conversation with someone with dementia, they decided to try music. “We started singing with her – singing hymns. She knew all of the words and readily joined in! My sister and I had to read the lyrics, but she knew them all. We could use the Pocketalker with her and she would just sing along with us. It was so moving – for everyone.”

Unfortunately, after about a month or so, Whitebread received a call that things weren’t going very well – her mother didn’t have a lot of time left. The family brought her home and used the Pocketalker to try to communicate as Jean was slipping away. “We read mom’s favorite bible passages and sang her favorite songs. Maybe we were able to reach her; maybe not. But it made us feel better to know we had done our best to try to reach her. When the minister came, he used the Pocketalker for his readings and words of consolation.”

Whitebread adds, “Our visits changed so much from when we first went to see her during COVID. We were allotted 30 minutes for a window visit and after ten minutes of screaming, we didn’t know what else to do. Once we started using the Pocketalker, the 30 minutes would end and mom would be saying, “don’t go, we’re not done!” She was engaged. She was connected – when before she hadn’t been. Pocketalker was an absolute Godsend.”

Bonnie Whitebread received a Bachelor of Science in Education of the Hearing Impaired at Pennsylvania State University, and a Master of Science in Audiology from Bloomsburg University. After teaching the deaf and then practicing in a hearing-aid clinic for several years, she worked in educational audiology for school systems and intermediate units fitting remote technology and FMs on school-aged children and preschoolers.

“I’m a firm believer that hearing aids are the best remediation for most people experiencing hearing loss. But a device such as the pocket talker has its place . In the hearing aid practice we always had a Pocketalker handy for those situations where you just couldn’t communicate with a person in a civil way unless you had a quick and easy way to amplify the conversation. “. Whitebread adds “ There are other situations where the pockettalker was helpful. We’d get phone calls from people saying, ‘my mom’s dying, and we need a way to talk to her.’ You’re not going to put hearing aids on someone with a week to live.” This is a relatively cheap solution – for a little over $100 we had a system that was worth thousands to us at the end. Thank God the Pocketalker was there.”

Thank you!
Someone will be in touch with you shortly.
Contact SAVIT Solutions
close
Company logo
SAVIT Solutions
6933 Big Lake Rd
UNIT 4
Lake Charles, LA 70605
USA
337.312.4045
https://savitsolutions.com/
 
Request more information from a dealer near you
close
Request more information from a dealer near you
Emerald Terms  |  Privacy Policy  |  Powered by AV-iQ

Copyright © 2025 SAVIT Solutions - All Rights Reserved.

  • Catalog