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Deaf and diabetic—alerts assistance needed

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Kia ora, it’s been a hot minute since I posted here. Bit of a weird support request, but I feel like y’all will have some helpful ideas. I’m Deaf in both ears and like most people I take my hearing aids out at night. I am also type 1 diabetic and I wear a CGM (continuous glucose monitor). When my blood sugars go low at night I get an alert on my phone to warn me, which also makes my Apple Watch vibrate. The problem is, recently, thanks to some new and necessary medication, I’ve been sleeping through both alerts and not waking to deal with nighttime hypos. What I’d like to know is, is there any external alert system I can plug in or pair with my phone that will be a bit more energetic at waking me (kinda like the shake awake alarms)? I’ve done a bit of a search and can’t seem to find anything that seems quite right or isn’t like $$$. Any advice? This feels like it can’t be too niche as lots of Deaf people have other conditions that require alerts. TIA :smile:

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Not the easiest solution, but there are bed shakers that will connect via Bluetooth to your cellphone. Unfortunately, I think they mostly use a dedicated app. But it should be possible to if this then that it.

How does IFTTT work?7

IFTTT helps connect different apps and devices. When you sign up for a free account, you can enable your apps and devices to work together to do things they couldn't otherwise do. For example, you ...

Or maybe use Apple shortcuts? I’m not an Apple user.

That’s an excellent idea. And a bed shaker would be useful as an alarm clock anyway. Thank you :smile:

When I travel, I use this Smart Shaker in case I need to wake up for an early flight. I insert this between the pillow and pillow case. Whether it will alert for the notifications you mention, I’m not sure. If your phone has a strong vibrate, why not put the phone inside your pillow case?

Smart Shaker3

I’m happy you posted. Thanks. Watching. Answers will help

DaveL

Have you considered a service dog? It seems like a really important alert for you and that seems most fail safe.

If you set your phone to vibrate, it could set off a strong bed shaker. I like this product.

Cell Phone Ringer Amplifier & Telephone Ringer Amplifier with bed shaker...25

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That looks like a good option. Thank you for sharing. I’ll see if I can find somewhere in NZ to purchase.

I’d love a service dog, but unfortunately our circumstances mean it’s not possible. Maybe I can teach the cats to wake me instead :joy:

In reply to @orgullodemexico

Unfortunately it doesn’t shake enough to wake me. Apple issued a warning recently telling people not to have their phones charging in bed due to potential overheating. I’d much rather have something that was made for the purpose. :grin:

In reply to @BarryH

Thanks, Barry, but I think that’s just an alarm clock? I need something a wee bit more clever that syncs with my phone and CGM. :blush:

My watch vibrates when I receive a notification for a low heart rate or AFib (atrial fibrillation). I wear a Samsung Galaxy watch and pair it with my Samsung Galaxy S25 phone.

I also currently wear a Fitbit on my other arm at night because I am tracking my sleep.

Both devices vibrate and wake me up. Might either of these work for you? :crossed_fingers:

In reply to @Tee

You’re welcome! I just saw it in some diabetes social media groups - people seem to love it, and put them all over the place (like in their office, at the bedside, in the living room etc). I personally don’t have a need for it since I can hear my alerts, but you seem like the perfect candidate :slight_smile: if you get one, let us know how it works!

In reply to @speedy

I think it will be super useful for me as I’m also ADHD so big visual reminders are also super helpful. And there’s a unicorn icon when you’re at your ideal BG?! Sign me up! :joy:

I’ve recently discovered LED flash alerts on iphone. I’ve used this for my alarm and it will also flash alert for any notifications that come in. It sure does wake me up as l sometimes sleep through a vibrating alarm. Only problem is that l can’t seem to disable text notifications and have alarm only - so as a result if any random text notifications come in during the night the strobe light will wake me, so I only use this function if l absolutely need extra help in waking up in the morning. But it would appear the medical alerts you get should set off a flash alert. Also make sure the phone is placed face down as the flash will come from the camera on the back, and works well when placed on bedside table. You can find it in Settings, under Accessibility - Audio & Visual and scroll to bottom. Worth trying l guess!

@Zoogirl said:

Only problem is that l can’t seem to disable text notifications and have alarm only

I use the sleep focus to disable text notifications. I use flash for text notifications but sleep focus makes them go away as “do not disturb”. Set up sleep focus in the sleep section in health app…

WH

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