All assistive listening technologies require 2 things, an audio source and a means of transmitting that audio wirelessly. The audio source can be a microphone, PA system, or even the audio from a television.
The three most widely used assistive listening systems are: Induction Loop, RF Systems and SoundField Systems. All three listening system technologies have their uses, but it is important to understand their pros and cons before selecting the system that is right for your needs.
Magnetic Induction or Induction Hearing Loop technology requires the audio source to be converted to magnetic energy and to travel through an antenna wire around the area it is to cover. The signal is then picked up by a tiny receiver built into the hearing aid, the T-Coil. The hearing aid user does not require additional hardware as with the FM and Infrared systems, the T-Coil in the hearing aid is all that’s required.
Induction Loops can be used in both large and small venues where privacy is or is not a concern. It is the only system appropriate for one-to-one conversations at retail or service counters.
Churches | Theatres | Conference Centres | Council Chambers | Courtrooms | Bank Teller Wickets | Checkout Counters | Drive Through Communication.
The single most important assistive device for people with hearing loss has been, still is and will be for the foreseeable future the hearing aid. But the hearing aid alone, how digital, high-tech and nice looking it might be, is not a sufficient tool for better hearing in every place and at every time. Sometimes it’s just not enough. When the hearing aid is insufficient the user gets alienated and cut-off of the social setting. To be unable to take part in the social interaction between people is a debilitating experience and it tends to make people feel isolated.
The idea of an assistive listening device is to assist whenever the hearing aid is not sufficient. In many cases the only way to increase speech intelligibility is to cut the distance between the sound source and the listener and at the same time reduce the present noise.
While FM and IR systems may have its advantages in certain personalized situations, only the hearing loop can bring sound to everyone, everywhere and at once without the need for an extra receiver. The hearing loop uses the built-in receiver in the hearing aid (T-coil) to transmit the sound without background noise through the personally adjusted hearing aid. Without any extra receiver and without any power consumption, the hearing aid user can experience crystal clear sound free of disturbing noise – without even telling anyone about their hearing loss. They just switch their hearing aids to T-position and enjoy the sound. That is real freedom! To bring back this freedom to the hearing aid users and fill them with hope has always been the most important goal for us.
The hearing loop is clearly the best option for the hearing aid user. We believe it’s also the best solution for the owner of the venue. Although a loop system might demand a little more commitment at the start, it will pay back many times over. A loop system is always active and can facilitate for everybody as it’s not limited to the number of receivers you have. With a minimum of maintenance it’s also the most cost effective solution. In environments where people are just passing through, a loop system is the only practical solution.
In larger venues like stadiums and sport arenas, conference facilities and auditoriums, cinemas and theatres as well as in churches and other places of worship, the induction loop system is the optimal solution.
But also for smaller venues like meeting rooms, school classrooms, retail stores and banks a loop system can benefit the needs of the hearing impaired in a great way. In taxis and public transit a loop system can also work with a high performance.
RF technology requires the audio source to be converted to radio waves and then broadcast through a transmitter which then gets picked up by individuals with FM radio receivers which are dialed into the same frequency as the transmission. Not unlike the radio in your home or car.
RF systems are appropriate for large room installations where privacy is not a concern.
Churches | Theatres |Conference Centres
SoundField systems are inclusive, stand-alone audio systems consisting of an outboard speaker-array tower and wireless microphone. The purpose of this system is to enhance speech intelligibility (especially in the presence of noise) by broadcasting within the speech frequency spectrum.
Classrooms | Boardrooms | Amenity Rooms | Lecture Spaces
