ADA requires assembly areas to have an assisted listening system.

A “hearing loop” is the preferred system, as it can seamlessly connect with hearing aids that have telecoils. Other people simply borrow a headset.

Throughout the United States there are installed hearing loops in auditoriums, meeting rooms, houses of worship, yoga studios, performing arts venues, city council chambers, universities, senior centers, pharmacy counters, bank tellers, and libraries as well as the Supreme Court and the U.S. House of Representatives.

What is a Hearing Loop? A hearing loop wirelessly broadcasts a clear sound directly in people’s hearing aids, cochlear implants, or portable receivers.

You can join this national trend by installing a loop at your conference or retreat center to provide a vastly improved, high quality sound for people with hearing loss. National statistics show that approximately 20% of the population has hearing loss (and growing). In addition, loops help to make the facilities compliant with the ADA.

For a quality installation, make sure you use an experienced, reputable contractor who will meet the IEC 60118-4 hearing loop standard.

And once installed, promote in your new loop through your marketing outreach.

Resources

“Best Practices in Hearing Loop Procurement” “http://www.hearingloop.org/LoopPurchase_Sterken.pdf

Hearing Loops. Tons of information and resources. http://www.hearingloop.org

2:37 minute video on how a hearing loop works