Abstract: A system consisting of interconnectible, hearing-assistive, portable “units” which can address communication problems that persons who are hard of hearing experience in many social settings (such as while dining out with friends in a noisy restaurant). The system allows each unit operator to share multiple audio input signals coming into any of the connected units with the other participants using the system. The operator is also able to selectively amplify one or more of the incoming audio signals (such as from the voices of one or more of the participants) while blocking out or turning down another (such as from background music). The units are capable of integrating audio signals with video, word processing and internet data. An innovative method for improving communication for persons who are hard of hearing in public and private settings is also claimed.