Long Description: Participants were divided into two age groups: less than age 60 and greater than age 60. Their % waking effectiveness was measured using an audible detector, low frequency audible detector, strobe, bed shaker, and intermittent bed shaker. Age had a very significant impact on whether an individual awakened or not. This chart shows the degree to which people 60 years and older are at a disadvantage of not awakening. For all devices, except the intermittent bed shaker, the elderly were less effectively awakened than their younger counterparts. The chances of awakening for the 60+ age group dropped by 26% to 40% depending on the device utilized. For the audible detector it dropped 26%, for the low frequency audible detector it dropped 35%, for the strobe it dropped 33%, and for the bed shaker it dropped 40%. The only device that did not have an age distinction was the intermittent bed shaker which was 100% effective for both groups.

• Test subjects of advanced age were awakened less effectively than their younger counterparts for all devices except the intermittent bed shaker.

• Elderly are the fastest growing US age demographic – the public health risks of the elderly and those with hearing loss must be addressed