A Case for Hearing Looped Venues

Many advances in hearing assistance technology have been made in recent years. Wireless technology is a huge improvement, making hearing aids faster and providing more accessibility. However, in large and noisy venues, even the most powerful hearing aid will have trouble focusing on the far away stage or the cinema screen when the background noises are so much closer. Are you tired of never being able to hear what’s going on at the front of the room? Do you always have to ask “What did he say?” because your hearing aid picked up your neighbor’s whispering rather than the voice of the speaker? That’s where hearing looped technology comes in.

How Does A Hearing Looped Venue Work?

The loop system sends audio signals from the PA system to an induction loop amplifier. The amplifier then sends the signals through copper wires built into the floor or ceiling of the venue. Your hearing aids are able to pick up these electromagnetic waves, and transmit the amplified sound directly to your ear. Basically, the looped system means that the audio is delivered straight to the hearing aids, cutting out all unnecessary background sounds, and creating a crystal clear listening environment with no distractions, regardless of how far away the stage is.

Do I Have the Right Hearing Aids fo a Hearing Loop?

Your hearing aids pick of the transmissions using a small copper wire (the telecoil or T-coil), built into almost all new hearing aid designs. To connect to the loop, just activate the T-coil program and it will transmit the electromagnetic waves to your ear. With one push of a button, the T-coil will connect wirelessly to the audio system, providing clarity and easy hearing. If your hearing aid does not have a T-coil, some venues will provide a headset to connect to the system.

What Venues Should Be Looped

Looped venues has a drastic impact on those living with hearing loss. Transportation centers such as airports and bus stations can be looped to enhance mobility and provide an easier travel experience. Auditoriums, concert halls, churches, and long-term care facilities can all benefit from this technology. Imagine the joy of clearly hearing a concert for the first time in years, rather than being frustrated or feeling isolated. It encourages social interaction even in noisy environments, improving quality of life and stimulating brain activity. With one third of seniors suffering from hearing loss, any system that contributes to ease of hearing is a treasure.

Where Can I Find Hearing Looped Venues?

Hearing Looped Venues are popular in Europe. In Britain, all London Underground ticket offices, all taxis, and all post office branches have looped technology. Many churches, synagogues and mosques do as well. Westminster Abbey has been looped since 2003, and many tourist destinations, such as the Tower of London, also use the technology.

In the US, there is a growing number of venues that are looped. In 2010 the Hearing Loss Association of America and the American Academy of Audiology began the Get in the Hearing Loop initiative to promote the use of hearing loops and T-coils to provide Americans with better hearing accessibility. Increasing numbers of venues are being looped, so be sure to ask at all your favorite venues, and advocate that they get in the loop.

You don’t have to live with untreated hearing loss.