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Finding a home security system that works for the hearing impaired or for the deaf can be difficult. Luckily, we have found some security systems that can meet these unique needs.
Updated April 5, 2022
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ADT is paving the way for accessible home security, and it’s no surprise, since this company created the first residential security system in 1874. ADT is now the largest provider of home security equipment and monitoring, with more than 8 million customers in the United States and Canada. ADT offers outstanding prices and an exceptional array of options. You can buy or lease equipment, or you can purchase monitoring for another company’s system.
ADT home security systems are customized to fit your specific needs. Most security systems rely on audible alarms to alert family members that their alarm system has been triggered, but ADT gives you options. ADT is the only system on the market that can be customized for deaf and hard-of-hearing households.
The ADT Pulse system combines security with home-automation features that allow you to monitor, control, and manage your home when you’re away. A home automation system that is accessible remotely is standard with smart home packages, but Pulse allows you to control your home in multiple ways. You can use the Pulse app on your phone, on your computer, or on an interactive, in-home touchscreen that you can use anywhere inside your house. Pulse includes a panic button in the app so that ADT can send for help without any delay. The Pulse app allows you to control your home’s lights, thermostats, garage door, doorbell camera, indoor and outdoor cameras, doors, locks, carbon monoxide sensors, fire alarms, flood sensors, and window and door sensors. Anything that can be plugged into the wall can be automated.
In a customer testimonial, the Herman family recommends ADT Pulse for deaf families. All members of the Herman family are deaf. ADT Pulse lets them know what is going on in the house, since they can’t hear. They set up custom alerts and notifications so that the system alerts them by text and by email when the system is triggered. The family customized their system to include a strobe light above the control panel so that they can see when the security system is activated. The customized alerts also ensured that a representative from the monitoring center won’t call, since many deaf people don’t use the voice feature of their phone. Instead, the family communicates only by text, by email, and through the online-management system. You can do everything online without calling the company, which makes ADT Pulse “perfect for deaf people.”
ADT’s professional service is unbeatable. If you are thinking of adding a home security system, ADT will provide a free in-home consultation by a security expert who will help you decide which features and equipment fit your needs. An installation professional will install your home’s security with optimal positioning so that your entire home is protected. The installation professional can also teach you about home security and about any system specifics you need to know. ADT’s professional monitoring and customer service take professionalism to the next level. Learn more about this century-old brand in our full ADT review.
| Monitoring Options | Professional only |
|---|---|
| Installation | Professional or DIY |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment Cost | From $499.99 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | From $24.99 |
| Contract Length | Three years |
In the five years since it launched, Cove has solidified its reputation for sleek, budget-friendly home security systems you can get up and running in under a half hour. Cove’s DIY home security hub includes professional, round-the-clock 4G LTE monitoring, smart home automations, and a proprietary InstaText feature for the hearing impaired. All of that, we found, for under a buck a day.
A loud siren may alert the police (and the rest of the neighborhood), but for anyone with hearing loss (an estimated 600,000 Americans), it’s not going to be much of an alert. To solve that problem for its deaf users, Cove pioneered a special security feature called InstaText, which lets Cove’s security professionals communicate with the hearing-imparied via SMS. (InstaText actually has a group chat feature so you can bring loved ones into the loop, too.)
Another Cove feature that will come in handy for users with hearing loss is Routines. As long as you go with a premium Cove Plus plan ($24.99 per month) and have the Cove smartphone app (free), you can program Cove to arm and disarm itself, and send you a push notification when it does so.
If that’s too much text — or $24.99 isn’t in your budget — Cove’s Basic plan (only $14.99) comes with InstaText. With another $250 (on average) for your hub, sensors, and cameras, you’re good to go.
You can read all about Cove’s pricing and features in our Cove home security buyer’s guide. For more on our experience installing and setting up our Cove security system (including an unexpected visit from the police!), check out our hands-on Cove home security review.
| Monitoring Options | Professional or DIY |
|---|---|
| Installation | DIY |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment Cost | From $87 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | From $17.99 |
| Contract Length | 1 month |
Households with deaf family members can benefit from a security system, because it allows you to see what is going on in other parts of your home. The system will alert you to an intruder or an environmental danger. Other essential elements of security systems for the deaf include security cameras, home automation, and smart strobe lights.
Home security systems for the hearing impaired are similar to security systems for the hearing, but audible features have been changed to fit the needs of a deaf customer. Here are some common features:
Online management provides a way to monitor and control your home security system without having to use your voice. An online-management tool gives deaf customers the power to manage their home's protection.
A strobe light is an important element of home security systems for deaf customers. Strobe lights can be installed anywhere in the home to provide a visual alert that the security system has been triggered.
With automated security devices, your home security system can be controlled remotely through an app that you access on your phone, tablet, or computer. You can also arm and disarm many systems with a keychain remote control.
Entry sensors are the first line of defense of home security, since they protect the entryways of your home. This makes them an essential part of your home security system, because they let you and the monitoring center know if an intruder has entered your home. These are especially important for deaf customers.
You can customize your security system to send you email notifications when your alarm is triggered. The email will describe the event that triggered the alarm and allow you to dismiss or confirm the alarm. This type of notification is an important option for deaf customers who want to avoid phone calls.
Motion detectors serve as a backup for entryway sensors. They use infrared technology to sense movement in your home. You can program them to detect movement at different distances (short-range or long-range) depending on the needs of your home.
You can customize your home security system to send you mobile notifications when your alarm is triggered. Mobile notifications come in the form of a text message with a description of the event. This allows you to communicate with the monitoring professionals from your phone no matter where you are. It also provides a great alternative to unwanted phone calls.
The control panel is where the magic happens. Everything in your security system runs through the control panel, which is often mounted on the wall beside a main entrance. The control panel allows you to arm and disarm your home’s security, communicate with the monitoring center, and program equipment on your system. Multiple control panels can be installed in large or multi-level homes to ensure that it’s never too far away.
Indoor and outdoor cameras are an indispensable part of home security if you are deaf, because they allow you to see your home whether you’re in another state or just another room. With cameras, you can easily identify what triggered your alarm system so that you know whether it was a false alarm. An installation expert, like those at ADT, can help you decide the best placement for your indoor and outdoor cameras to provide your family with seamless surveillance when you need it most.
