“Get in the Hearing Loop” Campaign“Get in the Hearing Loop” is a campaign to enlighten and excite hearing aid users , as well as audiologists and other professionals who dispense

“Get in the Hearing Loop” Campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 25, 2010

CONTACTS: Brenda Battat, MA Executive Director Hearing Loss Association of America [email protected]

Patricia B. Kricos, Ph.D. President-Elect American Academy of Audiology [email protected]

“Get in the Hearing Loop” Campaign Promotes Doubling Functionality of Hearing Aids

The American Academy of Audiology, on behalf of audiologists, and the Hearing Loss Association of America, on behalf of people with hearing loss announce a collaborative public education campaign, “Get in the Hearing Loop.”

“Get in the Hearing Loop” is a campaign to enlighten and excite hearing aid users, as well as audiologists and other professionals who dispense hearing aids, about telecoils and hearing loops and their unique benefits. Hearing loops transmit the audio from a PA system directly to telecoil-equipped hearing aids and cochlear implants. The telecoil functions as an antenna, relaying sounds directly into the ear without background noise just like Wi-Fi connects people to the Web. Hearing aids can easily and affordably become wireless receivers for use with telephones and hearing assistive listening systems – hearing loops and neckloops – by adding a telecoil option to the aid. Sixty-nine percent of all hearing aids dispensed in the U.S. today have telecoils. Yet far too few consumers and hearing professionals know about or use them. Pat Kricos, Ph.D., president-elect of the Academy, enthusiastically agreed to join the HLAA in this endeavor, stating, “Thanks to the passionate ground-breaking work carried on by HLAA member David Myers, Ph.D., in his Let’s Loop America advocacy endeavor, there have been steady increases in accessibility for individuals with hearing loss. However, we still have a long road ahead of us before people with hearing loss can expect to hear in public areas via hearing loop technology. This collaborative awareness campaign by HLAA and the Academy will ensure that both consumers and audiologists will become fully aware of the remarkable benefits of telecoils and hearing loops.” HLAA Executive Director Brenda Battat comments, “Though HLAA and the Academy have worked together on advocacy issues for many years, this is the first time they have worked together on an educational campaign. My feeling was that educating consumers about telecoils and assistive listening systems would not be effective if the hearing professionals were not on board. It was important to get their buy-in. This is a way to address it from both sides and have a greater impact.”

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“A successful local hearing loop campaign in the Fox Valley of Wisconsin made me realize that hearing loops can profoundly affect people who use hearing aids,” explains Juliëtte Sterkens, Au.D., audiologist and committee member of the “Get in the Hearing Loop” campaign. I want to help bring this news to every hearing aid user in the country and help make my audiology colleagues aware of an opportunity we are missing to help our clients get more from their hearing aids.” The campaign will culminate in the Second International Hearing Loop Conference to coincide with the HLAA annual convention in Washington, D.C., June 16 – 19, 2011. The first International Hearing Loop Conference was organized by the European Association of Hard of Hearing People in Winterthur, Switzerland in September 2009.

About the American Academy of Audiology The American Academy of Audiology is the world's largest professional organization of, by, and for audiologists. The active membership of more than 11,000 is dedicated to providing quality hearing care services through professional development, education, research, and increased public awareness of hearing and balance disorders. The Academy promotes quality hearing and balance care by advancing the profession of audiology through leadership, advocacy, education, public awareness, and support of research. Further information about the Academy can be found at www.audiology.org, as well as on the Academy’s consumer website www.howsyourhearing.org.

About the Hearing Loss Association of America The Hearing Loss Association of America® (HLAA), founded in 1979, opens the world of communication to people with hearing loss through information, education, advocacy and support. HLAA publishes the bimonthly Hearing Loss Magazine, holds annual conventions, Walk4Hearing™, and more. Information can be found at http://www.hearingloss.org/. The national headquarters is located at 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1200, Bethesda, MD 20814. Phone: 301.657.2248. HLAA has chapters and state organizations across the country.

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The Nation’s Voice for People with Hearing Loss www.hearingloss.org 7910 Woodmont Avenue Suite 1200 Bethesda, MD 20814

So You Want To Get In The Hearing Loop. Here’s how to make it happen in your community

The need for readily available assistive listening systems and devices in day to day living for people with hearing loss is one of the driving forces behind the Get in the Hearing Loop campaign. Listening devices that connect easily and unobtrusively are most likely to be used. Induction hearing loop systems do just that. If you’d like to help encourage the installation and use of more hearing induction loop systems, you’ve come to the right place. Getting Started Advocates start with a stated need. But advocates don’t get anywhere until they understand how to move the ball forward. If you want to succeed, you need a plan. Do your homework!

• Understand the facts. You know the need for more hearing induction loops. Your family knows the need. But people who have never come across loops before will have no idea why you would want to spend money on an invisible solution to an invisible problem. To help convince others of the need:

o Use various types of loops yourself. If you haven’t tried them, it’s difficult to explain to

others. And find opportunities for others to try them out as well.

o Have a basic understanding how loop systems work, how the telecoil works and what the benefits and limitations of induction loop systems are. Do some research on line to familiarize yourself with the technology. Here are two websites with information on telecoils:

http://www.hearingloss.org http://www.audiology.org/resources/consumer/Documents/20101021_Telecoil_factSheet.pdf

o If you are still uncomfortable with tech talk, recruit someone who can speak that

language.

o Estimates indicate 10 to 15 percent of your community’s population has some degree of hearing loss. A substantial portion of them could benefit from the use of hearing loop technology.

http://www.hearingloss.org/

http://www.audiology.org/resources/consumer/Documents/20101021_Telecoil_factSheet.pdf

http://www.audiology.org/resources/consumer/Documents/20101021_Telecoil_factSheet.pdf


o Familiarize yourself with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that apply to the requirement for assistive listening systems in various publicly accessible facilities. A good discussion of this topic can be found at:

http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/extension/files/download/Assistive_Tech.pdf

o Include human interest stories. Knowing how many people are impacted is one thing;

making it concrete with personal stories will ensure your audience remembers it. We know of an aunt in a nursing home whose eyes lit up when she finally heard through the loop; the father who didn’t get the jokes until he heard them through a loop; the grandmother who was able to hear her granddaughter’s wedding ceremony after a loop was installed in the sanctuary. If you know a real‐life example of success using a hearing loop, tell that story. Your story will likely hit home more readily than numbers alone can convey.

o In its 2009/2010 reviews of hearing aid models, the Hearing Review Products reported that 127 (60%) of 212 hearing aid models—including all 38 in‐the‐ear models and 29 of 30 conventional behind‐the‐ear models—come with telecoils. All three manufactures of cochlear implants provide for programming for telecoils. Include this or more recent data, as available, on how many people wear hearing aids or cochlear implants with telecoils.

o Know the alternatives to loop systems and be able to explain why the loop would be best for a particular place. For information on other assistive technology: http://www.hearingloss.org

• Prepare an “elevator speech.” An elevator speech is an introduction to the subject in the time it

takes to meet someone in an elevator: a very short speech. You will best convince others to install loops if you have marshaled the facts, and can present them in a concise, coherent manner. Prepare a short speech that has the salient points. Practice it so it flows smoothly.

• Prepare handouts or use Get in the Hearing Loop brochures (available from HLAA or the

Academy) to leave behind at meetings.

http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/extension/files/download/Assistive_Tech.pdf



Building Momentum Create a Coalition It’s possible for one person to make change happen, but it’s more effective – and more fun ‐ to bring in people to help you get there.

• Find groups to champion the project locally and meet regularly:

o Get in the Hearing Loop Campaign members – HLAA Chapters and Academy members as well as Sertoma and Lions clubs have national and local programs supporting hearing loss initiatives.

o Representatives from the State Office of Deaf & Hard of Hearing o Representatives of other organizations of and for people with hearing loss o Non‐profit organizations working with people with hearing loss o Electrical engineers or other tech advisors o Kiwanis, Rotary, Business and Professional Woman and other civic groups

Work with professionals

• Find and work with hearing induction loop installers (often an audio/visual firm) in your area that have a solid reputation and who adhere to international technical standards for loop installation. While consumers can advocate for access, when it’s time to install a loop system, you will need to be able to turn to reputable installers who can talk about such details as cost and time to install a loop system.

• If you cannot locate a firm with loop expertise, encourage one or more A/V firms to include

loop technology as part of their menu of services and technology available. Reach out to the community

• Strategize a campaign: target doable, visible projects in the community.

• A good place to start is with houses of worship, particularly if you know and can work with members of the congregation with hearing loss.

• Other possible projects are public auditoriums, library meeting rooms, and community or

senior centers.


• Work with audiologists, dispensers, doctors, and hospitals willing to loop their own waiting rooms.

• Once a venue is looped, you can turn to these people who use the loop for testimony to its

effectiveness.

• Make presentations to civic organizations: Lions Clubs, Rotary, Kiwanis, Church groups, or senior centers ‐ use the Get in the Loop Power Point presentation.

• Write letters to the editor, or Dear Abby or Heloise.

• Cultivate media contacts who will run human interest stories on successful installation and the reaction of people with hearing loss who use the facility.

• Set up a website to publicize your efforts; use Facebook, Twitter and Blogs.

• Check with city/county officials about distributing brochures and information about your

campaign at libraries, community and senior centers and at community events.

• Work with advisory boards for hearing aid dispensers and/or push for legislation to require the dispensing of hearing aids with telecoils.

Celebrate Success!

• Make sure every member of your team gets credit for the work hard work, and a party to celebrate!

• Make the inauguration of a loop system a public event to garner more visibility. Don’t forget

to publicly thank your team, and all the people who made it happen.

• Success breeds success: use your success to invite more people to the table to help get loops installed in other places


A Baker’s Dozen Frequently Asked Questions about Hearing Loops

1. How many Americans live with hearing loss? According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disordersi “approximately 17 percent (36 million) of American adults report some degree of hearing loss.” Unlike those challenged by mobility or vision loss, people challenged by hearing loss are often an invisible and forgotten minority. About 1 in 4—some 8.4 millionii

—have hearing aids, a number that would surely increase if hearing aids could double as wireless, customized loudspeakers.

2. Why are hearing loops needed? Don’t hearing aids enable hearing? Today’s digital hearing aids effectively enhance hearing in conversational settings. Yet for many people with hearing loss the sound becomes unclear when auditorium or TV loudspeakers are at a distance, when the context is noisy, or when room acoustics reverberate sound. A hearing loop magnetically transfers the microphone or TV sound signal to hearing aids and cochlear implants with a tiny, inexpensive “telecoil” receiver. This transforms the instruments into in-the-ear loudspeakers that deliver sound customized for one’s own hearing loss.

3. How many hearing aids have the telecoil (t-coil) receptor for receiving hearing loop input? From its survey of hearing professionals, the Hearing Review (April, 2008) reported that “Respondents said that 62% of their fittings included a telecoil, [an] increase . . . from 37% in 2001.” In its 2009 reviews of hearing aid models, the Hearing Review Products showed that most hearing aids—including all 35 in-the-ear models—now come with telecoils. Moreover, the greater people’s need for hearing assistance, the more likely they are to have hearing aids with telecoils—as did 84 percent of Hearing Loss Association of America members in one survey. New model cochlear implants also are available with telecoils.

4. Can hearing loops serve those without telecoils or without hearing aids? Yes, all forms of assistive listening, including hearing loops, come with portable receivers and headsets (though most such units sit in closets unused.)

5. What does a hearing loop cost? Costs range from $100 to $300 for self-installed home TV room loops up to several thousand dollars for professional installation in an average-sized auditorium or worship space. Most churches can install a hearing loop for little or no more than the cost of one pair of high end hearing aids, though a large facility with embedded metal will be more expensive. Auditorium installations cost somewhat more than do assistive listening systems that require checking out a receiver and headset. But the cost per user is typically less (because many more people will use assistive listening that is hearing aid compatible). Moreover, hearing loops offer long-term savings from purchasing and maintaining batteries in fewer portable listening units. For the user, the telecoil cost is nominal and typically does not add to the hearing aid price.

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6. Hearing loops harness magnetic energy. So is magnetic interference problematic?

Generally not. Old (nonflat) computer monitors, old fluorescent lighting, and some old dimmer switches generate interference, as do some cars and all airplanes. But the experience in hundreds of West Michigan venues and thousands of Scandinavian and British venues is that interference-free installation is nearly always possible.

7. Isn’t this a decades-old technology? Like electronic computers, magnetic induction loop technology began more than a half century ago, and now is in newly developed forms (with new amplifier and telecoil technologies, and new computer-modeled designs for complex installations) and with increasing applications.

8. Don’t newer connective technologies work better? New wireless technologies, including Bluetooth, do some helpful things, such as enable binaural phone listening. But Bluetooth isn’t an assistive listening answer (it requires significant battery power and has limited range). An alternative future assistive listening solution—one that, like hearing loops, is hearing aid compatible—will need similarly to a) be inexpensive (essentially no cost to the consumer), b) be capable of covering a wide area, c) drain little battery power (telecoils require no power), d) be universally accessible, and e) be sufficiently miniaturized that the receiver can fit in nearly all hearing aids.

9. Can hearing loops be used in adjacent rooms? Yes, with a professional design that controls sound spillover.

10. Are there advantages to using hearing loops for home TV listening and in public settings? A hearing aid compatible loop system delivers sound that’s customized by one’s hearing aids for one’s own ears. It requires no fuss with extra equipment. And rather than plugging one’s ears, it allows use of a mic + telecoil (M/T) setting, enabling one to hear the room conversation or one’s phone ringing. In public settings, their main advantage is that, when not hearing well, people need only activate their telecoils. There’s no need to get up, seek out, and wear conspicuous equipment (which few people with hearing loss take the initiative to do). Additionally, the sound is contained in one’s ear, without bothering others nearby. There is no need to juggle between headsets and hearing aids (during, say, a worship service). And there are no hygienic concerns about putting in or on one’s ear what has been around others’ ears.

11. Can hearing loops work in transient venues such as airports, at ticket windows, or at drive-up order stations? Indeed, which is why New York City Transit Authority is installing hearing loops at 488 subway information booths. In such venues, where checkout equipment is not realistic, the only possible assistive listening device is one’s own hearing aid or cochlear implant.


The Nation’s Voice for People with Hearing Loss

www.hearingloss.org 7910 Woodmont Avenue Suite 1200 Bethesda, MD 20814

12. Aren’t Britain’s thousands of loop systems in transient venues sometimes not working?The Royal National Institute for Deaf People did find that a number of the loops in shops and other transient venues were not working. Their response was not to discount hearing assistance in such venues, but rather to undertake an awareness campaign to see that the devices are turned on and operating, much as wheelchair ramps need to be kept open. (See hereiii and hereiv.) Any assistive listening will not work unless turned on. When properly installed and periodically checked, hearing loops require little or no maintenance to work reliably.

13. Who makes hearing loops and where can they be purchased?A variety of established European and mostly new American manufacturers are designing and marketing hearing loop amplifiers for a wide variety of installations, from home TV rooms to taxi back seats and ticket windows to cathedrals. See www.hearingloop.org/vendors.htm.

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and you can connectdirectly to sound

Telecoils, when used inconjunction with a hearingloop, will double thefunctionali ty of your hearingaids and turn them into yourown personal assistivelistening system.

No headset needed...

You don’t need to feel left out. Take advantage of easy-to-use technology to get back into the hearing loop.

I was amazed to find out how much easier it was for me to hear

with these simple tools.

Why didn’t someone tell me about these before? Now I don’t

have to feel left out at family gatherings or with my friends.

Now I don’t blast friends and family out of the room

when I watch TV.

Do You Need Help Hearing?Assistive Listening Devices Might Be the Key to Better

Understanding for You

This brochure is produced as part of “Get in the Hearing Loop,” a national educational campaign to increase awareness about assistive listening technologies, especially hearing loops and telecoils, that are available to people with hearing loss. The project is a collaborative public awareness campaign developed by the Hearing Loss Associa-tion of America (HLAA) and the American Academy of Audiology.

Resource for People with Hearing LossThe Hearing Loss Association of America is the nation’s leading advocacy organization for the 36 million Amer-icans with hearing loss. HLAA publishes Hearing Loss Magazine, holds annual conventions, produces the na-tional Walk4HearingTM, hosts online learning with the Hearing Loss Academy, holds monthly webinars, and advocates for the rights of people with hearing loss. HLAA has an extensive network of chapter and state organizations across the United States.

7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1200Bethesda, MD 20814

301.657.2248www.hearingloss.org

Useful Links

www.HowsYourHearing.orgAmerican Academy of AudiologyTo find an audiologist in your area

www.hearingloop.orgNonprofit informational website on hearing loops

www.eeoc.gov/facts/accommodation.htmlReasonable accommodation

www.ada.gov/reachingout/t3regl2.htmlAuxiliary aids and services

This brochure was sponsored by The David and Carol Myers Foundation

and The Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation.

HLAA Chapter InformationIf meeting information has not been provided below,

go to www.hearingloss.org for a chapter near you.

1/11

Tips

If you are new to using a telecoil, be sure to check with your audiologist or hearing instrument specialist to ensure that the settings on it are maximized for use with assistive listening devices.

Find other users through a Hearing Loss Association of America Chapter in your area.

Access to public places for individuals with disabilities is required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you think an assistive listening device would benefit you on the job or in your classroom, you should find out the process from

that institution for requesting a reasonable accommodation (in private settings) or for auxiliary aids and services (in public settings).

Advocate for assistive listening devices at places you regularly attend (e.g., place of worship, classroom, community center). Encourage the venue to advertise that they have assistive devices so that others can learn of their benefit.

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Have you ever had difficulty hearing or understanding:

• in meetings?• in places of worship?• in theaters or movies?• in restaurants?• with shopping transactions like at a

pharmacy or bank?• in public places such as airports or

in municipal buildings?

In those situations, an assistive listening device can help.

What is an Assistive Listening Device?Assistive listening devices (ALDs) expand the functionality of hearing aids and cochlear im-plants by helping you separate the sounds you want to hear from background noise, and by enabling you to hear when the speaker is more than a few feet away. The speaker talks into a microphone and the speech is sent straight to your ear, thus avoiding the degrading effects of noise and distance on speech intelligibility. It’s really that simple. An assistive listening device consists of a microphone to collect sound, a transmitter to send the signal across a distance, a receiver to intercept the signal, and any one of several different listening attachments to send the sound from the receiver to the user’s ear, hearing aid, or cochlear implant.

When Hearing Aids or Cochlear Implants Aren’t EnoughHearing aids and cochlear implants can work wonders to improve speech understanding. Still, there are some situations that may be problematic such as listening in groups, hearing in noisy back-

GetintheHearingLoop

A Joint Project of the Hearing Loss Association of America and the American Academy of Audiology

grounds, hearing a speaker who is more than a few feet away, and hearing in poor acoustical environ-ments. In these situations, turning up the volume can result in turning up the background noise that you don’t want to hear.

What Can I Do to Hear Better in Noise?One of the simplest ways is to use a personal amplifier. It is a single unit with jacks for a micro-phone and a listening attachment, and a volume control. These can come in handy when you are close to the speaker to cut out background noise, such as in a car or a restaurant. There are also ways to hear better when the speaker is more than a few feet away. FM, infrared, and induction or hearing loop systems use radio waves, light waves, or magnetic fields respectively to transmit the sound you want to hear from a speaker some distance from your receiver (for ex-ample, from a teacher at the front of a room to the student sitting in class). You turn up the volume to a comfortable level for you. Each of these systems has options for small, personal/home use or large-area amplification, like in a theater or auditorium.

Are There Any Options Built into Hearing Aids?There are options that are integrated into many behind-the-ear hearing aids and cochlear im-plants. These systems come with a separate microphone that you can give to the speaker and the sound will be sent directly to your hearing aid or cochlear implant. These are convenient but are more expensive than purchasing separate units.

What About BluetoothTM Devices?More hearing aids are equipped to allow for gateway devices that enable digital audio stream-ing from Bluetooth devices to the hearing aid or cochlear implant. If you enjoy Bluetooth-enabled audio devices, such as cell phones, TVs, or com-puters, you will probably want to check this out.

Do I Have to Wear Headphones?Not necessarily. If your hearing aid or cochlear implant has a telecoil, you will be able to use a neckloop plugged into the headphone jack. A telecoil (or t-coil) is a small, inexpensive copper coil in most hearing aids and is built into newer cochlear implant processors. The neckloop is an insulated loop of wire worn around the neck that transmits the information to the hearing aid telecoil through a magnetic field. Many people enjoy using neckloops because they can listen with both ears without wearing headphones while still enjoying the full benefit of their hearing aid amplification settings. There is an additional benefit of telecoils. If you are using an induction loop system, the only receiver you will need is your telecoil in your hearing aid or cochlear implant. An induction or hearing loop system gives off a magnetic field, eliminating the need for any receiver other than your telecoil. Using a telecoil and hearing loop together is seamless, cost-effective, unobtrusive, and wireless. You don’t have to obtain extra equipment. If you don’t use hearing aids or cochlear im-plants, you can use these ALDs with headphones or earbuds. Even if you use hearing aids you may be able to use headphones or earbuds. However, you may prefer to take the hearing aids out when using headphones because of feedback problems.

Assistive Listening Devices: Solutions for Common Communication Obstacles

A telecoil can make a dramatic

difference in your ability to hear

clearly and understand dialog.

A telecoil can make a dramatic difference in your ability to hear clearly

and understand dialogue.

Even with today’s technology, the best hearing aids and cochlear implants can’t separate the sounds you want to hear from background noise, or pick up

all the sounds coming from a distant source like a stage or movie screen.

With a telecoil you can expand the functionality of your hearing aid or

cochlear implant. A telecoil in a hearing aid functions as a wireless antenna that links into a sound system and delivers

customized sound to the listener.

The TelecoilConnecting Directly to Sound

This brochure is produced as part of “Get in the Hearing Loop,” a national educational campaign to increase awareness about assistive listening technologies, especially hearing loops and telecoils, that are available to people with hearing loss. The project is a collaborative public awareness campaign developed by the Hearing Loss Associa-tion of America (HLAA) and the American Academy of Audiology.

Resource for People with Hearing LossThe Hearing Loss Association of America is the nation’s leading advocacy organization for the 36 million Amer-icans with hearing loss. HLAA publishes Hearing Loss Magazine, holds annual conventions, produces the na-tional Walk4HearingTM, hosts online learning with the Hearing Loss Academy, holds monthly webinars, and advocates for the rights of people with hearing loss. HLAA has more than 200 chapters and 14 state orga-nizations.

7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1200Bethesda, MD 20814

301.657.2248www.hearingloss.org

Useful Links

www.HowsYourHearing.orgAmerican Academy of AudiologyTo find an audiologist in your area

www.hearingloop.orgNonprofit informational website on hearing loops

This brochure was sponsored by The David and Carol Myers Foundation

and The Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation.

HLAA Chapter InformationIf meeting information has not been provided below,

go to www.hearingloss.org for a chapter near you.

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The telecoil, a

small copper wire,

is located inside

the hearing aid.

© Oticon, Inc.

What is a telecoil?A telecoil is a small copper coil that is an op-tion on most hearing aids and is built into cochlear implant processors. They are also known as t-coils and were originally used to boost the magnetic signals from the tele-phone handset. The telecoil is activated by a t-switch on the hearing aid or cochlear im-plant. All landline and some cell phones are designed by law to be used with a telecoil.

The telecoil can make a noticeable difference in your life when you combine it with hear-ing assistive technology. This pairing of tech-nology bridges the physical space between you and the sound source. Hearing assistive technology connects the listener directly to the sound source while most background noise is eliminated.

When would you use a telecoil?Increasing the volume on your hearing aid or cochlear implant won’t necessarily increase the clarity of what you hear. Hearing assis-tive technology combined with a telecoil can improve your understanding of dialogue at work, in a meeting, in the classroom, the-aters, places of worship, tour buses, and oth-er places. Some people use telecoils at home with the TV while keeping the TV volume low for the comfort of others.

Many public places are equipped with hear-ing assistive technology. With the implemen-tation of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, hearing assistive technology is in-creasingly available in public places.

What is Hearing Assistive Technology? (HAT)There are three types of wireless hearing assistive technology discussed here:

The hearing loop is a wire that circles a room and is connected to the sound system.

The loop transmits the sound electromag-netically. The electromagnetic signal is then picked up by the telecoil in the hearing aid or cochlear implant. To use a hearing loop, one easily flips the t-switch on the hearing aid or cochlear implant. No additional receiver or equipment is needed. Using a telecoil and hearing loop together is seamless, cost-effec-tive, unobtrusive, and you don’t have to seek out and obtain special equipment.

An infrared system uses invisible light beams to carry sound from the source to a personal receiver. (The sound source must be in the line of sight.) Different types of attachments may be connected to the personal receiver such as a neckloop or a behind-the-ear sil-houette inductor. The telecoil then picks up sound from the receiver via the attachment.

An FM system works similarly, but sound is conveyed though radio waves to a personal receiver.

What other uses are there for telecoils?Telecoils can improve hearing on hearing-aid-compatible phones and can be used with neckloops to replace headphones. A neckloop is similar to a hearing loop, except that it is worn around the neck and can be plugged into other audio devices (such as an MP3 player, computer, or FM or infrared re-ceivers) to transmit the audio signal directly to the hearing aid telecoil, bypassing the need for headphones.

How do you get a telecoil? Are they expensive?Ask for a telecoil when you buy your hear-ing aids. A telecoil may add a small amount to the cost of your hearing aid but the benefits far outweigh the cost. Ask your audiolo-gist or hearing instrument specialist to in-clude a telecoil in your hearing aid and ask

for advice on how to use it. Many models and styles of hearing aids and all cochlear implants can be fitted with telecoils. Tele-coils can sometimes be added to your cur-rent hearing aid but it will cost less if you include it in your original purchase.

Purchasing a Hearing AidDon’t assume that your hearing aid will auto-matically come with a telecoil or that it will be recommended. Or, if a telecoil is present, don’t assume it has been programmed to suit your individual needs. Today, approximately 65 percent of all hearing aids dispensed in the United States have telecoils. Yet, few con-sumers are told about them and know how to use them.

Use the Consumer Checklist published by the Hearing Loss Association of America when purchasing a hearing aid (available on www.hearingloss.org or in hard copy). This checklist includes asking about telecoils. Some states have laws that require audiolo-gists and hearing instrument specialists to tell consumers about telecoils when purchas-ing hearing aids (as of January 2009, Arizo-na, Florida, and New York).

Note: Automatic telecoils are available but work only with telephones, not hearing loops, so ask your audiologist or hearing instrument specialist to include a manually-operated telecoil in your hearing aid and ask for advice on how to use it.

GetintheHearingLoop

A Joint Project of the Hearing Loss Association of America and the American Academy of Audiology


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Table of Contents

Foreword ........................................................................................................................................ 1

Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 3

Methodology .................................................................................................................................. 4

Overview of Educational Sessions

Sunday, June 19

Getting into the Hearing Loop ...................................................................................... 5

Providing Effective Communication Access .................................................................. 5

Understanding and Addressing Causes of Environmental Interference with Telecoils .......................................................................................................... 6

Hearing Loops: The Basics ............................................................................................. 6

Telecoil Panel ................................................................................................................ 6

Providing Great Sound for People Who Are Hard of Hearing: Optimizing the Audio for Assistive Listening Technology and Loudspeakers ........................... 8

Dispensing Professionals Panel ..................................................................................... 8

Beyond the Basics: Complex and Creative Loops and Other Issues ............................. 8

Questions and Answers (Advanced Issues) .................................................................. 9

A Systematic Approach to Evaluating and/or Validating Loop Systems ....................... 9 Monday, June 20

The Technology Landscape for Loop Systems: Current and Future ............................. 9

Industry Panel ............................................................................................................. 10

Consumer Advocacy Around the World: Status of Hearing Loop Installations in Different Countries ........................................................................................... 10

Strategies for Success: Leveraging Change ....................................................................... 11

Closing Session .................................................................................................................. 12

Recommendations for the Future ............................................................................................... 13


Appendix A – Standards and Links ............................................................................................... 16

Appendix B – Specific Recommendations for the Future ............................................................ 17

Appendix C – Directory of Presenters Andersson, Conny ............................................................................................................. 19 Bakke, Matthew ................................................................................................................ 19 Battat, Brenda ................................................................................................................... 19 Beck, Doug ........................................................................................................................ 19 Billin, Todd ........................................................................................................................ 20 Duarte, Joseph .................................................................................................................. 20 Edworthy, Doug ................................................................................................................ 20 Ellingsen, Knut ................................................................................................................... 20 Franzen, Jeff ...................................................................................................................... 21 Galster, Jason .................................................................................................................... 21 Hakanson, Johan ............................................................................................................... 21 Hamlin, Lise ....................................................................................................................... 21 Hollands, Ken .................................................................................................................... 21 Ingebrigtsen, Paul ............................................................................................................. 21 Jankowski, Andy ................................................................................................................ 22 Karg, Siegfried ................................................................................................................... 22 Kozma‐Spytek, Linda ......................................................................................................... 22 Kricos, Patricia ................................................................................................................... 22 Langner, Mike ................................................................................................................... 23 McAuley, Emma ................................................................................................................ 23 McKinley, Richard ............................................................................................................. 23 Mulvany, Dana .................................................................................................................. 23 Murphy, Steven ................................................................................................................. 24 Myers, David ..................................................................................................................... 24 Pieters, Julian .................................................................................................................... 24 Sterkens, Juliëtte ............................................................................................................... 24 Taylor Brian ....................................................................................................................... 24 Tibbs, Daniel ...................................................................................................................... 25 Warick, Ruth ...................................................................................................................... 25 Woodgate, John ................................................................................................................ 25


2nd International Hearing Loop Conference June 18‐20, 2011

Crystal City at Reagan National Airport Brenda Battat, Executive Director, HLAA

Foreword While attending the First International Hearing Loop Conference in Winterthur, in 2009, a lovely town just outside Zurich in Switzerland, I decided that if there were to be a second conference it was going to be in the United States; and the Hearing Loss Association of America was the logical organization to host it. My other conviction was that we had to get the audiology profession on board otherwise we would not achieve our goal of expanding the use of telecoils and hearing loops. Timing and opportunity were on our side. The president‐elect of the American Academy of Audiology (Academy) happened to be Patricia Kricos, Ph.D., a strong advocate of telecoils and looping. She also is someone who truly understands consumer issues. Dr. Kricos agreed to make this her platform for her tenure as president. Thus, “Get in the Hearing Loop” became a combined project of HLAA and the Academy. We were both further motivated by the gracious and persistent advocacy of Dr. David Myers, a professor of psychology at Hope College in Holland, Michigan, who was converted to hearing loops after his experience using them in Europe. His personal goal was and is to “Loop America.” HLAA constituents are avid users of technology of all kinds and especially telecoils. In 2007, an HLAA survey showed that 80 percent of HLAA members stated that they have telecoils in their hearing aids, which was considerably more than the national average of 33 percent at that time. For years HLAA has advocated for hearing aid compatibility with phones – the ability to use phones together with a hearing aid or cochlear implant without the need for attachments or other devices. Extending that philosophy to assistive listening systems was a natural and another reason for us to spread the word about hearing loop technology as it is an example of hearing aid compatible assistive listening systems. A maxim of our organization is that we don’t do anything unless we can guarantee full hearing access: no video on our website is allowed without captions, all our convention events are fully accessible through captioning, assistive listening systems and interpreting; and our monthly webinars are captioned. We carry full communication access through in our national office where 30 percent of our employees have hearing loss. Many of our volunteers also have hearing loss, and according to the HLAA bylaws, two‐thirds of the national Board of Trustees must have a hearing loss. Our conference room has a hearing loop installed for board and staff meetings. Employees and volunteers are provided with whatever type of telephone they need to work productively and we arrange for teleconference meetings to be captioned. For safety we have visual fire alarms installed in our office suite. Many of our chapters have portable hearing loops or meet in facilities with rooms with

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installed loops to ensure that attendees at their monthly meetings can understand the speakers. Assistive technology and telecoils are in our members’ DNA. We know the benefits first hand and want that to be imparted to other hearing aid and cochlear implant users. However, there are issues such as programming and orientation of telecoils and installation and standards of hearing loops. That is why the conference was so valuable to raise these issues and make recommendations for future improvements. Our goal was to make the conference truly international to share experiences and learn from one another – especially from those in Europe where hearing loops are more prevalent than here in the United States. To make it easier for people to travel to the conference from afar, we kept it affordable. That was made possible by a generous grant from the David and Carol Myers Foundation and The Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation. We were delighted to have representation finally from eleven countries and exceeded our prediction of the number of attendees by more than 100. Another goal was to have high‐quality presentations by experts in the field from all over the world. To capture this for those unable to attend we videotaped the sessions that are now available for all to see on our website, www.hearingloss.org. During the coffee breaks, conference attendees were able to browse the seven companies that exhibited their products and services. The conference was rounded out with some fun events – the award‐winning comedy troupe, The Capitol Steps, a Washington tradition, performed at the opening welcome banquet – looped of course, and captioned so that everyone could get the punch lines. There was also a Spirit of Washington cruise on the Potomac River to give our international and out‐of‐town attendees a view of how beautiful Washington and its illuminated monuments look at night from the water. For those who came early to take advantage of the overlap of the Loop Conference with the annual HLAA Convention there was a memorable performance of Wicked at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts that was fitted with a hearing loop and Infrared systems, captioning, and sign language interpretation. Thanks to the companies that looped the facilities as in‐kind donations, to the presenters who took time to make this a truly outstanding conference, to all the attendees who came from near and far and to the family foundations who sponsored the conference and enabled it to happen.

Brenda Battat Executive Director Hearing Loss Association of America 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1200 Bethesda, MD 20814 [email protected]

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2nd International Hearing Loop Conference Crystal City, Virginia June 18‐20, 2011

Dana Mulvany, MSW, Consultant

Introduction The 2nd International Hearing Loop Conference was co‐hosted by the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) and the American Academy of Audiology (Academy) in Crystal City, Virginia, from June 18 through June 20, 2011. The conference was a culmination of the year‐long “Get in the Hearing Loop” campaign spearheaded by HLAA and the Academy. The event offered an international, highly public platform “to enlighten and excite consumers, as well as audiologists and other professionals who dispense hearing aids or provide services to individuals with cochlear implants, about telecoils and hearing loops and their unique benefits.”1 The conference was noteworthy in many ways: The first joint conference co‐hosted by a national organization of consumers with hearing

loss and a national organization of audiologists

A comprehensive overview of systemic issues affecting the status quo of hearing loops (audio induction loop systems, or audio‐frequency induction loop systems)

In‐depth information about telecoils, magnetic interference (aka EMI), and audio

Free online resources, including captioned videos of many sessions along with synchronized presentations

The first international loop conference to provide CEUs from the American Speech‐Language‐Hearing Association (ASHA) and the Academy for audiologists

Held in conjunction with the HLAA Convention, which tapped into a large base of HLAA attendees and also attracted more international attendees

Sound files were used in several presentations to illustrate the acoustic effects of interference, noise, good and poor audio practices, and the international standard for loop systems

This white paper was commissioned to communicate how the educational program for the conference was developed, to provide an overview of the educational sessions, and to communicate recommendations for the future.

1 Program Guide, 2nd International Hearing Loop Conference, pg. 3

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Methodology The following actions were taken in preparation for developing the program and recruiting speakers: HLAA publicized the Call for Papers through www.hearingloss.org, Hearing Loss Magazine,

and email alerts.

The consultant hired to develop the program emailed English‐speaking attendees from the first international conference and solicited their feedback about the first conference and recommendations for the second conference. The input received provided valuable direction for the conference.

The consultant reviewed available information about the first conference, including CART files, and sought out additional information about telecoils and loop systems

A letter was developed for and signed by HLAA and the Academy which was sent to hearing aid manufacturers to invite them to participate in the conference and the telecoil panel

The HLAA executive director directly invited several experts to speak at the conference

The International Federation of Hard of Hearing People (IFHOH) and the European Federation of Hard of Hearing People (EFHOH) cooperated in publicizing the loop conference to encourage international attendees to submit proposals for the conference

After receiving proposals for workshops in early December 2010, the consultant and the HLAA executive director decided to recruit and develop additional sessions and panels with the following goals in mind: Broader international representation Follow‐through on promised topics Education about problem areas, such as magnetic interference (aka EMI) and audio How to provide effective communication access for all people with hearing loss Representation and involvement of different stakeholder groups Developing and improving strategic efforts for improvement Recommended experts

The program for the conference was developed in a sequential order to strengthen the audience’s understanding of basic issues, thereby laying the foundation to understand more advanced topics. Early presentations sequentially covered the user perspective, effective communication access, loop systems, and how to provide good audio for people with hearing loss. Misconceptions about magnetic interference were also deliberately addressed early to help minimize their effects as soon as possible.

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One track (T1) focused on the technical aspects of hearing loop systems while another track (T2) provided workshops of particular interest for consumer advocates and audiologists. After the entire audience had the opportunity to learn fundamental information about loop systems, the second day provided an overview of system issues, including technology, advocacy issues, and successful strategies for improving the status quo of loop systems. The conference concluded with a panel of organizational leaders who discussed recommendations for future actions. All speakers were asked to provide complete presentation files before the conference, available at www.hearingloss.org. Computer Assisted Real‐Time Transcription (CART) and hearing loops were provided for all sessions. Overview of Educational Sessions Sunday, June 19th In the introductory breakfast session, “Getting into the Hearing Loop,” psychologist David

Myers, Ph.D., (U.S.) addressed why hearing loops are a particularly effective assistive listening system for people with hearing aids. Hard of hearing himself, Myers described the welcoming effect of experiencing many looped places in England, beginning with Heathrow Airport and including the London Underground, Westminster Abbey, and London taxis. Myers pointed out the following user‐friendly features of hearing loops over other current assistive listening systems: simplicity, immediacy, invisibility, power‐effectiveness, and universality. He saw the ultimate aim being not to promote loop systems per se but directly hearing‐aid‐compatible (DHAC) assistive listening. He then described successful efforts to promote looping locally and in the United States via the “Let’s Loop America” initiative.

To teach loop installers and proponents how to facilitate effective communication access, Matthew Bakke, Ph.D., (U.S.) discussed numerous, practical recommendations for “Providing Effective Communication Access.” Bakke revealed that current requirements by the Americans with Disabilities Act for a minimum signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) of 18 dB and a speech transmission index of 0.84 had been based on what was a minimally acceptable SNR for 75 percent of participating subjects with hearing loss. He clarified that the highest possible SNR with a comfortable sound pressure level should be the goal. Identified were these future research needs: listener acceptability of signals in noise in various conditions (speech babble, HVAC, traffic, etc.); listener acceptability of signals with different levels of background music or sound tracks; listener acceptability of various levels of reverberation; and, ratings of signals with systematically varied dynamic ranges.

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“Understanding and Addressing Causes of Environmental Interference with Telecoils” addressed misconceptions about magnetic interference (EMI) which cause many people to underestimate the value and usefulness of telecoils. Speakers Doug Edworthy (U.K.) and Richard McKinley (U.S.) explained common sources of interference, including ground loops, and how to identify and troubleshoot them. Frequent sources of EMI are lighting dimmers, cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions or monitors, fluorescent (strip) lighting, and improperly installed alternating current (AC) power cabling, AC power transformers, electric motors, and electric heating systems. Several real‐life cases of magnetic interference were presented along with solutions. McKinley pointed out that poor wiring practices often cause interference but can often be detected by loop receivers. Edworthy recommended that building codes require inspectors to check for ground loops. The international standard for audio frequency induction loop systems, IEC 60118‐4 (2006), recommends an A‐weighted noise level of ‐47 dB L or better for optimal audio; magnetic noise at ‐32 dB L and worse needs a listening assessment to gauge acceptability. The standard does not permit magnetic noise at a level of ‐22 dB L or higher.2

For “Hearing Loops: The Basics” (T1), Ken Hollands, (U.K.), and Andy Jankowski (U.S.) provided an overview of how hearing loops work and how to install simple perimeter loops, including guidance about when more advanced loop configurations would be needed instead. Illustrated simulations of spill fields for six different loop configurations helped demonstrate when the configurations would be used for different environments. Specific instructions were given for how to connect a loop system to a television, including how to connect an audio digital‐to‐analog converter for a digital TV without an analog audio output.

The “Telecoil Panel” (T2) highlighted the importance of the telecoil for use with loop systems:

Research audiologist Linda Kozma‐Spytek (U.S.) provided an overview of the telecoil, showing how the frequency response of the telecoil interacts with the frequency response of loop systems, and emphasized the need to quantify objectively the real‐ear performance of the hearing aid in telecoil mode when coupled with a standard inductive source.

Representatives of hearing aid companies then spoke about the telecoils in their companies’ hearing aids. Oticon and Starkey representatives said the telecoils could be

2 http://www.hearingloss.org/sites/default/files/docs/3_DE_Environmental_Interference.pdf (slide #30)

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programmed for use with loop systems upon request (as opposed to use with telephones). Doug Beck, Au.D., of Oticon stated that the vertically‐oriented telecoils in the Oticon

Agil hearing aid can be programmed to provide a higher frequency response up to 5,000 Hz.

Jason Galster, Ph.D., of Starkey discussed Starkey’s research on telecoils and commented that several years ago a hearing aid requirement was established for all Starkey products to have a telecoil. Starkey is now looking at maximizing telecoil performance by moving telecoils into external devices. Pictures of the frequency response for the Starkey telecoil showed a potential low frequency response more robust than that shown for other hearing aids (which tend to roll off the low frequencies to minimize magnetic noise).

Widex audiologist Daniel Tibbs, Au.D., spoke of the separate gain available to program the sensitivity of Widex telecoils (useful for decreasing pickup of environmental interference (EMI), and discussed the integrated telecoil in the Widex M‐Dex wireless multi‐function device, useful for hearing aids too small to include a telecoil.

Conny Andersson (Sweden), chair of the International Electrotechnical Committee (IEC) on audio frequency induction loop systems, concluded with recommendations for hearing aid manufacturers to: 1. Set telecoils to work with IEC standard 60118‐4 so that switching between the

telecoil and the microphone will provide the same output level as for a 70 dB SPL acoustic signal and for a standards‐compliant hearing loop;

2. Increase the low frequency response for the telecoil; 3. Develop a “hum harmonics remover” to filter out the harmonics of the magnetic

noise caused by environmental magnetic interference. 4. Develop several channels for loop systems and telecoils to provide the option of

stereo and more flexibility in dealing with spillover and electromagnetic interference concerns.

Two free PowerPoint resources developed specifically for the conference were showcased during the conference’s only lunch session. Conny Andersson showed a PowerPoint presentation which acoustically demonstrated specific levels of compliance with IEC 60118‐4 requirements. Many attendees were able to hear for the first time how these specific objective levels of compliance would affect sound quality for loop users. Afterwards,

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Dana Mulvany showed another PowerPoint presentation with pictures of hearing loop installations around the world which can be used as a presentation or slideshow. She discussed how the presentation can be adapted by adding photos of local or regional places with hearing loops and updating information about each loop.

Retired broadcaster and broadcast engineer Mike Langner (U.S.) gave a truly multimedia performance: “Providing Great Sound for People Who Are Hard of Hearing: Optimizing the Audio for Assistive Listening Technology and Loudspeakers.” In addition to explaining different types of microphones and showing their pickup patterns, Langner played sound recordings of good and poor audio, teaching the audience how to understand and recognize the impact of different kinds of audio processing and microphone techniques upon the quality of the audio. To educate the audience about the minimum signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) required by the current U.S. ADAAG, Langner also played numerous sound files showing the effect of an 18 dB SNR with different kinds of background noise. (The multimedia PowerPoint presentation available online has video and sound files embedded within it, useful for listeners to play as often as needed to improve their ability to recognize causes of poor audio.)

The “Dispensing Professionals Panel” (T2) described how dispensing professionals can help their clients get “into the hearing loop.” Moderator Patricia Kricos, Ph.D., (U.S.) then president of the American Academy of Audiology, was joined by Irish audiologist and consumer advocate Emma McAuley, and Juliëtte Sterkens, Au.D., from the United States. McAuley described how as an audiologist working at DeafHear.ie in Ireland, she takes a consumer‐centered approach assessing and addressing the needs of the client, providing affordable hearing aids, and helping the client to use telecoils successfully with assistive listening technology. Sterkens provided valuable insights about and practical suggestions for optimal programming of the telecoil for use with loop systems. Kricos described the “Get in the Hearing Loop” Task Force and gave an overview of the extensive and varied materials it had developed to help dispensing professionals and consumers understand more about telecoils and loop systems.

Doug Edworthy led the “Beyond the Basics: Complex and Creative Loops and Other Issues” (T1) session with his discussion of his survey of the London Underground. Commissioned to evaluate levels of magnetic interference and the effect of metal in order to find out whether loop installations were possible, he was able to make recommendations for effective placements of loops and minimization of interference; the London Underground administration subsequently installed loops and wrote a manual of good practice for

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designing and installing loop systems. Todd Billin, (U.S.), followed with a pictorial overview and discussion of the largest known looped fixed seating installation in the United States with 12,200 seats in the mezzanine and main arena levels of the Breslin Center of Michigan State University, East Lansing. Next, creative loop installations and applications were the subject of Richard McKinley’s presentation, including hidden installations in non‐traditional places like buses, kiosks, tennis courts and online monitoring of multiple loop installations. Paul Ingebrigtsen, (U.S.), concluded with “Integrating Loop Technology with FM or Infrared Assistive Listening Systems,” addressing performance standards for receivers, neck loops and silhouettes to ensure effective use by telecoil users. He discussed practical issues and recommendations when using loop systems in conjunction with IR or FM systems.

An extended “Questions and Answers (Advanced Issues)” period was held for one‐half hour to allow people to ask additional questions about loop systems and get answers to unanswered ones from earlier in the day. In addition to the speakers for the session above, Matthew Bakke and Mike Langner also participated on the panel.

To help more people work with facilities to improve the quality of installed loops, Conny Andersson and Ken Hollands developed “A Systematic Approach to Evaluating and/or Validating Loop Systems” (T1) to train non‐technical consumer advocates how to formally evaluate the performance of a loop system. Trainees evaluated five different small loop installations with varying levels of performance, using checklists and loop receivers with field strength level indication provided by Ampetronic and Bo Edin/Univox. This training was repeated the next day for a different group of attendees. Each training session was limited to 25 pre‐registered attendees.

Monday, June 20th

“The Technology Landscape for Loop Systems: Current and Future.” To continue

addressing the needs of people with hearing loss well, loop proponents need to be knowledgeable about relevant current and future hearing assistive technology. Jason Galster, Ph.D., began this session analyzing present and future wireless

technology for hearing aids: the telecoil, Bluetooth, near field magnetic induction, and 900 MHz and 2.4 GHz radio. Although he concluded that the non‐telecoil wireless technologies offer improved sound quality and improved consistency of connectivity, they lack standardization, and Galster, therefore, determined that the universality of telecoils makes them “the only standard option for wireless audio transmission to hearing aids,” stating, “Telecoil is ‘our’ future.”

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Dana Mulvany followed with an overview of how other hearing assistive technology can have an impact on loop systems, and vice versa. She encouraged the audience to focus on the higher goal of providing functionally equivalent communication access for people with various levels of hearing loss and/or disabilities, though the current legal standard in the United States is effective communication access. Hearing loops may often be required by law to be supplemented with visual communication access such as CART or captioning. Advocates can strengthen the case for loop systems by explaining how induction technology helps provide functionally equivalent communication access for telecoil users. To preserve the future of loop systems, loop proponents would do well to ensure that both induction technology and other hearing assistive technology, including personal assistive listening technology, can co‐exist together as needed for effective communication access.

Industry Panel (T1). Representatives of established loop manufacturers Ampetronic (U.K.), Univox/Bo Edin (Sweden), and Oval Window Audio (U.S.) gave sequential overviews of the history of their companies, the product design philosophy, services, new products, future technology, and their product line.

Consumer Advocacy Around the World: Status of Hearing Loop Installations in Different Countries (T2). Because national consumer organizations for people with hearing loss play a critical role in advocating for the needs of consumers, representatives of these organizations were asked to give updates about hearing loops in their country: Knut Ellingsen, Norwegian Association of the Hard of Hearing (HLF), described the

recently formed consulting company, “Universal Utforming” (Universal Design), created by three Norwegian consumer organizations for different disability groups, including HLF. Universal Utforming provides consulting and project management services to help make buildings accessible, and was created after the enactment of a law that requires planning for all ages and disabilities.

Emma McAuley, representing the Irish Hard of Hearing Association (IHHA) and DeafHear.ie, described how a survey conducted by the IHHA found that most installed loops were not working or were not working properly. This survey appeared to be useful for the revision in 2010 of Building Code M, Ireland’s accessibility regulations for buildings.

John Woodgate, (U.K.), speaking on behalf of the newly renamed Action on Hearing Loss (formerly known as RNID), briefly discussed the Equality Act of 2010 and an RNID survey of loop systems which found that only 14 percent of 1,500 facilities had loop systems

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that were properly sign‐posted and were working satisfactorily. A similar RNID survey done in 1985 had led to the first British Standard Code of Practice for loop systems in 1993; the Code will be revised again this year.

Siegfried Karg, Pro Audito (Switzerland), spoke of his organization’s effort to improve the quality of loops through an online tracking system of loop installations. It subsequently developed a training program to certify induction loop measuring technicians. Karg emphasized that quality control is essential to ensure excellent speech intelligibility and inclusion of people with hearing loss.

Brenda Battat, executive director of the Hearing Loss Association of America, described how the first hearing loop conference had prompted her to realize the core need to involve audiologists in educating their patients about telecoils so that they could use loops. She and Patricia Kricos, Ph.D., president of the American Academy of Audiology (Academy), formed a joint national educational initiative, “Get in the Hearing Loop,” which produced educational materials as well as this conference. HLAA and Sertoma (Hearing Charities of America) also a partner in the campaign, encouraged community outreach by their chapters to local businesses. Battat stressed the business imperative and quoted the chair of the downtown Sarasota Alliance, a business group in Florida: “If you need more business, the loop offers an affordable opportunity to reach a big part of the market you are probably missing. The loop system is highly effective, low cost and virtually maintenance free, so the payback is extremely attractive.”

Strategies for Success: Leveraging Change (T2). This panel discussed strategic or systemic efforts at a regional or national level to improve the status quo of loop systems. Emma McAuley described an overall “path to success” for consumer organizations

which obtains evidence based on survey, research, and/or individual service user feedback, makes a case for change, attempts to create or modify legislation, and if successful, then implements and monitors the legislation. She pointed out specific changes in the Building Regulations 2010, Technical Guidance Document M, which addressed problems documented by the earlier survey, such as lack of staff training, provided improved guidance for hearing access, and/or specifically mentioned hearing loops.

John Woodgate, a member of the British Standards committee for loop systems, gave an overview of BS7594, the British Standards Code of Practice for Audio Frequency Induction Loop Systems, which specifies technical performance standards for loop systems and comprehensive guidance to owners and operators of loop systems. He

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recommended that advocates obtain their own copy and support training of loop installers and electricians in both BS7594 and IEC 60118‐4 (2006).

To assist advocates in better understanding how to work on regulations to address magnetic interference caused by poor wiring, Woodgate also provided a short presentation on how to minimize magnetic emissions from power wiring

Doug Edworthy discussed two one‐day training courses on loop systems developed by the Institute of Sound and Communications Engineers (ISCE), with one being on the design and installation of loops, and the other on measurement. Both use competence assessment and provide certification. He found that audio professionals understand the need to take them, but it would also be beneficial if architects and electrical contractors would also take them.

Closing Session. Key leaders were invited to participate on this panel to share their thoughts about recommendations for future action with respect to telecoils, hearing loops, and directly hearing‐aid‐compatible (DHAC) assistive listening technology. Moderator Dana Mulvany pointed out that the IFHOH World Congress in 2012 would be an opportunity to involve more people from other countries in looping efforts. Conny Andersson reiterated his recommendation that hearing aid manufacturers

digitally filter out magnetic noise and develop three channels for telecoils, using one standard channel and two coded channels.

David Myers, Ph.D., suggested that states be encouraged to require the installation of DHAC assistive listening technology in new buildings. Also, that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for neck loop‐equipped receivers be relaxed, and that advocates look for ways to work with national media to publicize loops more.

Patricia Kricos, Ph.D., proposed an international or national telecoils and loops association, which could centralize all looping initiatives on a single website and track loops by location and category. In addition, she saw a need to train more audiologists to get involved with induction technology, to continue encouraging state associations of consumers and audiologists to collaborate with each other, and to ask agencies like the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) for high‐level research on hearing loops and telecoils.

Brenda Battat thought IFHOH is best positioned to help coordinate information on loops from member countries, and agreed with Kricos that state consumer organizations and audiology associations should collaborate together. She added that there needed to be more sharing of information about local and state looping initiatives, and vigilance

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about making sure that hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturers continue to provide telecoils. The Ida Institute should be encouraged to incorporate loops in their program.

Ruth Warick, Ph.D., stated that IFHOH was prepared to commit resources to disseminate information. She saw a need for loop proponents to work together to share best practices and to aim to have all hearing loops evaluated and to share the results. IFHOH can set up commissions, including one on looping issues. IFHOH has biannual meetings, which could be coordinated with a loop conference. Knut Ellingsen, chair of the World Congress in 2012, had agreed to entertain proposals about loop systems. She thought a policy paper on hearing accessibility would need to be re‐evaluated and that IFHOH could work with the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities with respect to hearing access. After the conference, Warick stated: “IFHOH can pledge to provide information about hearing loops in its Journal, on its website and to include it in its Congress held every four years…. We are also hosting our first Asian forum in November 2011 in Bangkok and it would be timely to include in the agenda. Further to this we look forward to working with those involved in this initiative to continue the momentum from the Hearing Loops 2011 conference.”

Steven Murphy (U.S.), executive director of Sertoma, spoke of the need to educate the professional community of audiologists about loop systems and to find people to work together on a grass roots level. During some Sertoma looping campaigns, critical statements from some audiologists about telecoils and loop systems being “old” technology had caused volunteers to be “unwilling to take a hit again,” thereby ending their campaigns. If he had confidence there was positive support from professionals in the community, he thought he would be able to find one to two million volunteers from other service organizations to work on loop campaigns.

Battat asked for input from the audience about whether another loop conference would be desirable in two years. Audience members concurred, expressing appreciation for the conference. Marcel Bobeldijk, president of EFHOH, urged that he be contacted when there were ideas about the conference, inferring that the EFHOH would be willing to help with the conference planning.

Recommendations for the Future Hearing loops can provide universal, virtually immediate, stress‐free, and high‐quality communication access for telecoil users. However, as Siegfried Karg stated in his presentation, “quality control is essential to ensure excellent speech intelligibility and inclusion of people with hearing loss.” In several European countries, surveys of hearing loops have shown that most

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were non‐operational or otherwise unsatisfactory. In the United States and many other countries, the lack of guidance or of a code of practice for programming telecoils has resulted in many people with hearing aids experiencing uneven results with hearing loops or not having telecoils activated within the hearing aid. For people with hearing loss to receive reliable communication access from hearing loops, many system issues need to be optimized: the design and orientation of telecoils in hearing aids and cochlear implant processors; dispensing practices for telecoil; how loop installers are trained; how loop systems are installed and maintained; the management of magnetic interference; how audio is delivered to the loop system; television compatibility issues; and others. As advocates for people with hearing loss, the national, regional, continental and international consumer organizations for people with hearing loss are encouraged to lead the way in addressing these system issues in order for their constituents to function as well as possible. However, they need access to accurate, up‐to‐date, and understandable information and to a synergistic, consultative team process to enable them to address these issues as well as possible. It is recommended that each consumer organization assemble a multi‐disciplinary team of relevant experts, organizational leaders, knowledgeable consumer advocates, and other stakeholders to help determine how best to address the system issues at the level of the consumer organization and with the available resources at that level. At an international level, there is a need for coordination and dissemination of relevant, in‐depth information, best practice guidelines and other recommendations, and loop‐related resources which would be useful worldwide. IFHOH could host or link to a website containing this information. Member consumer organizations that have developed loop‐related programs would ideally share information online about these programs, particularly those using online resources, so that fellow consumer organizations can build upon their work. An IFHOH committee might evaluate similar programs, such as online tracking programs, to explore whether it is possible and advisable to develop an online tracking system that can be used by all countries. If successful, IFHOH could then encourage all its member organizations to use this system; the national organizations would then communicate to local affiliates how to implement the tracking program on a local level. (The actual data about the local loop installations would be managed by the local or national consumer organization; the operator of the international website would merely provide links to the national organizations.) With IFHOH’s ability to set up committees, we recommend that IFHOH form a committee to explore how best to use IFHOH’s resources on behalf of telecoils, hearing loops, hearing‐aid‐compatible assistive listening technology, and possibly the status quo of hearing assistive technology in general. For example, ideally, each national consumer organization would be asked to provide information about loop installations, accessibility laws, other loop‐related

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resources and updates, and other information about communication access in a systematic way on a dedicated web page on their own website. The IFHOH committee might recommend a template to follow so that the IFHOH website could link intelligently to the information on each member organization’s website. At local or regional levels, it would be helpful for consumer organizations to set up web pages with information about loops in the area and related information, such as loop infrastructure programs, and to communicate these web pages and other looping activities to the national consumer organization. Additional specific recommendations for the future are provided in Appendix B. Hearing loop proponents are urged to prioritize working on system issues affecting the performance of telecoils and loop systems so that people with hearing loss can reliably obtain the best communication access possible through hearing loops. For example, a systematic process needs to be developed to lay the groundwork for dispensing professionals to ensure that their clients can hear well through standardized loop systems. To program telecoils well, these professionals will need training and a standardized induction signal in their own offices. Additional work needs to be done with hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturers on improving the frequency response and orientation of telecoils within hearing aids and cochlear implant processors. We encourage loop proponents everywhere to collaborate on international, national and local levels. With many caring, motivated people sharing their ideas and working together, we believe much can be done to improve communication access joyously for people with hearing loss. Dana Mulvany, MSW, author of this paper, was also the consultant contracted to develop the program for this conference. She uses hearing loops herself, has extensive knowledge of hearing assistive technology and had also been participating on an email list about loop systems and telecoils for several years.

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Appendix A

1. Standards

IEC 60118‐4 ed2.0:2006 Electroacoustics – Hearing aids – Part 4: Induction loop systems for hearing aid purposes – Magnetic field strength. (Available from http://www.iec.ch)

BS 7594 Code of Practice for Audio‐Frequency Induction‐Loop Systems. (BS 7594:2011

now available through http://shop.bsigroup.com/) 2. Links

Program Guide: http://www.hearingloss.org/sites/default/files/docs/2011LoopProg_0.pdf (The directory of presenters starts on Page 8)

Presentations: http://www.hearingloss.org/content/2011loop‐presentations

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Appendix B

Specific Recommendations for the Future These recommendations are a consolidation of recommendations from many participants in the loop conference, including the presenters. Telecoils and dispensing professionals

Obtain information about how each hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturer supports use of telecoils with loop systems

Ensure that a real‐ear test is developed for measuring telecoil performance Gather expert recommendations about how to improve the telecoil, including increasing

the frequency response, filtering out magnetic noise, etc. Develop recommended practices for dispensing professionals with respect to telecoils,

loops and assistive listening technology Create and provide high‐quality online courses for dispensing professionals about telecoils,

including how to ensure the telecoils in specific hearing aids will work with standardized loop systems

Audio, Loop Systems, and Equipment

Explore developing an "ALS (assistive listening system) Quality" standard for audio Explore providing higher‐fidelity sound through loop systems (the current standard requires

only 100 Hz to 5,000 Hz although wider band hearing aids and telecoils are possible) Address the need for television manufacturers to continue providing analog audio outputs

(some have begun discontinuing them) Develop high‐quality online courses for audiovisual professionals and loop installers

Advocacy (in addition to ideas already communicated)

National organizations could create pilot projects at local level, such as: Community Loop Infrastructure Initiative (to improve local infrastructure for loops)

Educate consumers about telecoils and loops Recruit consumer volunteers for ongoing advocacy

Educate local audiologists and hearing aid dispensers Recruit audiologists who will learn about optimizing telecoils and support

hearing loops on local level Educate and/or work with Sertoma and similar organizations to recruit supporters Educate local audiovisual professionals about loops

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Recruit AV professionals who will work with loops Community Loop Infrastructure Team

Discuss current local infrastructure, resources, problems, etc. Strategize about best way to improve local infrastructure for loops

Maintain good flow of communication between national and local participants National organization may need to develop or update informational materials, or

find out more information

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Appendix C

Directory of Presenters

Conny Andersson Conny is the owner of Univox/Bo Edin in Sweden and in charge of engineering and product development. He has contributed to standards for hearing instruments and hearing loop systems and is currently the convener of the IED MT‐20 committee (IEC 60118‐4). He has over 30 years of electronic design experience related to hearing instruments, measuring equipment for hearing instruments, and assistive devices like loop systems. E‐mail: [email protected]

Matthew Bakke, Ph.D. Matt is the director of the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) on Hearing Enhancement, a multi‐center program of research and development in the area of technology and rehabilitation for people with hearing loss. Professor and Chair of the Department of Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences at Gallaudet University, Dr. Bakke received his Ph.D. degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from City University of New York in 1999. Under his direction, the RERC produced the 1999 report, "Large Area Assistive Listening Systems (ALS): Review and Recommendations" for the U.S. Access Board. E‐mail: [email protected]

Brenda Battat Brenda is the executive director of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA). She has worked at HLAA for more than twenty years in a variety of positions including acting executive director, deputy executive director, and director of public policy and state development. For her work in advocacy she received the Robert H. Weitbrecht Telecommunications Access Award 2007, Oticon Focus on People Advocacy Award 2005, and Self Help for Hard of Hearing People National Access Award 2002. She believes in collaborating to get things done and invited the American Academy of Audiology to join forces with the Hearing Loss Association of America on the “Get in the Hearing Loop” campaign to educate consumers and professionals about the benefits of telecoils and hearing loops. E‐mail: [email protected]

Doug Beck, Au.D. Doug is the Director of Professional Relations for Oticon Inc. and the Web Content Editor for the American Academy of Audiology (http://www.audiology.org). He advocates incorporating access to all sound sources via modern hearing aid dispensing protocols and technologies to maximize human communication and connectivity while increasing access to all sounds sources. Dr. Beck has authored hundreds of audiology, amplification and related science articles and he

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often writes and lectures on the importance of maximizing the bottom‐up (sensory) auditory signal so as to facilitate maximal cognitive processing. E‐mail: [email protected]

Todd Billin Todd is the president of Hearing Loop Systems. He holds a Master/Contractor electrical license and certifications in boardroom design, loudspeaker design, and other related areas. His project profile includes over 600 churches, stadiums, airports, auditoriums, educational facilities, convention, banquet, and meeting centers. E‐mail: [email protected]

Joseph Duarte Joe holds a degree in Biomedical Electronics Engineering from the University of Rhode Island. He has a profound hearing loss and is a bilateral cochlear implant recipient. Joe is the president of Duartek, Inc., a company which provides custom engineered audio and sound systems to help facilities and residences become more accessible to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. He began installing loops in 1991 and has looped such places as the meeting room of the U.S. Access Board. E‐mail: [email protected]

Doug Edworthy Doug is the principal consultant at Edworthy Audio Engineering Consultants – an independent UK‐based audio engineering consultancy. He has been an audio‐electronics engineer since 1975 and active in consultancy and design of AFILS and in training for manufacturers, designers, installers, maintainers and owners of AFILS since 1981. Since 2007 he has designed and presented AFILS training courses on behalf of the Institute of Sound & Communications Engineers. Doug serves on eight UK and International audio engineering standards committees including AFILS‐related BS 7594, IEC 60118‐4, IEC 62489‐1 and IEC 62489‐2. E‐mail: [email protected]

Knut Ellingsen Knut, who is hard of hearing, has been the president of HLF, the Norwegian Association of the Hard of Hearing, since 2006. He is also the vice president of EFHOH (European Federation of Hard of Hearing People). In 1986 he started to work as Secretary General for HLF (The Norwegian Association of the Hard of Hearing) and one of the main priorities for the organization was to get all its local branches to require hearing loops in all public offices and meeting rooms. E‐mail: knutma‐[email protected]

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Jeff Franzen Jeff has been the production manager for Oval Window Audio for more than 20 years. Previously Jeff managed a third generation, family‐owned audio manufacturing company in Illinois, which allied with Oval Window Audio in 1990 to design and produce a line of loop products. He is knowledgeable in all aspects of Oval Window Audio’s product design and manufacturing. E‐mail: [email protected]

Jason Galster, Ph.D. Jason is manager of clinical and comparative research with Starkey Laboratories. He investigates the clinical outcomes of modern hearing aid features. Dr. Galster has held a clinical position as a pediatric audiologist and worked as a research audiologist on topics that include digital signal processing, physical room acoustics, and amplification for pediatric populations. E‐mail: [email protected]

Johan Hakanson Johan is the sales manager for Univox. Email: [email protected]

Lise Hamlin Lise is the director of public policy at the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA). Lise joined the staff of HLAA in April 2008 after being a long‐time advocate and HLAA board member. She currently represents HLAA on advisory committees for federal agencies and on coalitions supporting greater communication access for people with hearing loss. E‐mail: [email protected]

Ken Hollands Ken is the commercial director at Ampetronic (U.K.). He has a bachelor’s in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Middlesex University, London. He has presented papers on hearing loops at national and international conferences as well as technical seminars on the subject for industry and volunteer organizations. E‐mail: [email protected]

Paul Ingebrigtsen Paul is the president and CEO of Williams Sound. He has been actively involved in the design, manufacture, and sale of assistive listening systems for over 30 years at Williams Sound. E‐mail: [email protected]

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Andy Jankowski Andy is the Business Manager at AssistiveAudio, the U.S. distributor for Ampetronic. He has worked at AssistiveAudio for five years. (Andy joined the company after he saw his two deaf grandchildren use their bilateral cochlear implants to hear through a newly installed audio loop system; he was overwhelmed by the pleasure the children derived from listening to TV, DVDs and music for the first time.) E‐mail: [email protected]

Siegfried Karg Siegfried Karg became involved in hearing loop systems in churches in 1987. He holds or has held the following titles: President of Pro Audito Winterthur (since 2003), Vice president European Federation of Hard of Hearing People (2002‐2010), board member Pro Audito Switzerland, member Swiss Acoustical Society, Convener and Presenter at the 1st International Hearing Loops Conference in Winterthur/Switzerland (2009), member of Hearing Loop task force of Pro Audito Switzerland. Siegfried is the pastor of the Evangelical Reformed Church of Switzerland. E‐mail: siegfried.karg@proaudito‐winterthur.ch

Linda Kozma‐Spytek, CCC‐A Linda, who has a master’s in Communication Sciences, has been a research audiologist in the Technology Access Program of Gallaudet University since 1998. She is the principal investigator on projects within the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) on Telecommunications Access related to hearing aid compatibility for telephones. She also consults with the RERC on Hearing Enhancement on their projects related to hearing aid compatibility. She actively participates in policy and standards development for hearing aid compatibility in digital wireless and cordless phones, and has published and presented extensively to consumer and professional groups alike on these and related topics. In 2005, she was recognized for her work in this area with an award from the Hearing Loss Association of America. E‐mail: linda.kozma‐[email protected]

Patricia Kricos, Ph.D. Pat, Professor of Audiology, University of Florida, received her Ph.D. degree from the Ohio State University (1973). Dr. Kricos is currently President of the American Academy of Audiology. She also serves on the Advisory Council of the Better Hearing Institute and the Ida Institute, and as a Professional Advisor for the Hearing Loss Association of Florida Board of Trustees. Dr. Kricos has been an advocate of hearing loops and telecoils for a number of years and she serves as the co‐chair, along with Brenda Battat, for the Let’s Get in the Hearing Loop Task Force. E‐mail: [email protected]

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Mike Langner Mike has been a broadcaster and broadcast engineer his entire adult life. He has used his knowledge of microphone techniques and audio processing to broadcast clearly everything from a single voice speaking at a news conference to fully‐staged grand opera with all its many voices and instruments. A member of the hard of hearing community with “cookie‐bite” hearing loss, he donates, installs and/or “fine‐tunes” loop installations in his community. E‐mail: [email protected]

Emma McAuley Emma (Ireland) is both a hard of hearing consumer advocate and an audiologist. She served on the council of the Irish Hard of Hearing Association and has worked at DeafHear.ie (formerly known as National Association for Deaf People) since 1997. She has long advocated for the installation of loop systems and for the importance of fitting telecoils, and participated in the looping of the LUAS tram in Dublin, Ireland. E‐mail: [email protected]

Richard McKinley Richard is the managing director and chief engineer of Contacta (USA), using his 30 years of experience in audio and engineering background to design loop installations in challenging situations. Among some of his achievements are loop installations in buses, touch screen displays, museums, drive‐thru locations, airports and large venues including performance halls and sports arenas. Richard regularly conducts trainings in the United States to teach audio professionals how to sell, design and install loop systems in compliance with international standards. E‐mail: [email protected]

Dana Mulvany, MSW A consumer advocate with lifelong bilateral hearing loss, Dana is the former director of the National Center for Hearing Assistive Technology at HLAA. She works as a consultant specializing in hearing loss to optimize the fit between people with hearing loss, technology, and their environment. Dana has enjoyed the use of audio loop systems since the 1980s and had her 2002 Prius modified with an amplified turn signal, audio output feed, powered loop system, multiple close‐talking microphones and video camera, thereby subjecting the car to the nickname, “the HATmobile.” E‐mail: [email protected]

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Steven Murphy, MPA Steven joined Sertoma as Executive Director in April 2001. Steven holds an MPA in Organizational Behavior and Non‐Profit Management from the Bloch School of Business and Public Administration, at the University of Missouri‐Kansas City. Steven began the Sound Investment campaign in the spring of 2010 to encourage Sertoma Clubs to participate in looping their communities. E‐mail: [email protected]

David Myers, Ph.D. Hope College social psychologist David Myers is the author of seventeen books, which include psychology textbooks, and "A Quiet World: Living with Hearing Loss." He is the creator of hearingloop.org and, since 2002, the author of 30 articles that advocate assistive listening that is directly hearing aid compatible. E‐mail: [email protected]

Julian Pieters Julian is managing director at Ampetronic, a global provider of induction loop solutions based in the UK. Julian's involvement in loops dates back over 20 years, to when he developed the original simulation software that has been a foundation for Ampetronic's design work. Trained as an engineer at the University of Cambridge, Julian has spent much of his career developing high technology products and services for health care. Julian succeeds his father Leon in this family business, a true pioneer of modern loop technologies and a vocal leader in the promotion and adoption of loop systems around the world. E‐mail: [email protected]

Juliëtte Sterkens Juliëtte is an audiologist in private practice and co‐owns Fox Valley Hearing Loop LLC with her husband/loop‐engineer LeRoy "Max" Maxfield. She serves on the HLAA/Academy Hearing Loop Task Force. Her involvement has led to more than 90+ hearing loops in her community and other areas of Wisconsin, a number she expects will double in 2011. Email: [email protected]

Brian Taylor, Au.D. Brian is the director of Practice Development & Clinical Affairs at Unitron. A clinical audiologist with 20 years of experience fitting hearing aids, he co‐authored the forthcoming book, “Selecting and Fitting Hearing Aids” by Plural Publishing. For the past few years, he has worked with organizations that install loops for Unitron customers. E‐mail: [email protected]

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Daniel J. Tibbs, Au.D., Daniel is the education coordinator at Widex USA where he coordinates the Widex University Program, an outreach program for universities. Prior to joining Widex, Dan worked as a clinical audiologist in Southern California and Ohio as well as in the cochlear implant industry. He is currently based out of the Office of Research in Clinical Amplification (ORCA‐USA) in Lisle, Illinois. E‐mail: [email protected]

Ruth Warick, Ph.D. Ruth is president of the International Federation of Hard of Hearing People and treasurer of the International Disability Alliance. Ruth was born hard of hearing; her passion is education and among her publications is Hearing the Learning, A Postsecondary Handbook for Students who are Hard of Hearing. She completed her doctoral degree at UBC in 2003; her dissertation was titled Voices Unheard: The Academic and Social Experiences of University Students Who are Hard of Hearing. E‐mail: [email protected]

John Woodgate John is hard of hearing and has had an interest in loop systems since the 1960s. He became an independent electronics consultant in 1984 after 25 years employment in the electronics industry. Since 1986 he has conducted private research into the refinement of the measurement and specification of loop systems. He chairs the British Standards committee responsible for BS 7594 Code of Practice for audio‐frequency induction‐loop systems and the International Electrotechnical Commission committee responsible for the International Standards IEC 62489‐1 and IEC 62489‐2. He is also a member of the IEC committee responsible for IEC 60118‐4, and several other British and International standards committees. He is a vice‐chair of the Audio Engineering Society Standards Committee. E‐mail: [email protected]

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Hearing Loss Affects Everyone 36 million people have hearing loss –

and the number is growing

Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions present at birth

16% of school aged children have hearing loss

1 in 5 U.S. teens have hearing loss

1 in 6 of baby boomers have hearing loss

Hearing loss is the third most common condition in people older than 65

1

A hearing loop provides ACCESS

for individuals with hearing loss.

2

A hearing loop is literally a copper wire that “loops” around the periphery of a room that transmits an electromagnetic field within its loop, allowing a hearing aid or cochlear implant’s telecoil (also called T-Coil) to function as an antenna directly linking the listener to the facility’s sound system

A hearing loop functionally serves to “get people in the loop” by providing access to help individuals with hearing loss understand in hard-to-hear environments such as:

at a distance

in background noise

in poor acoustical environments

What Is a Hearing Loop?

Artwork courtesy of David Myers.

3

Example of a Hearing Loop Note:

The presenter at the pulpit is miced (1), the magnetic field is generated via a loop driver present on the back wall (2), sound then travels around the periphery of the room via a copper wire (2), which sends the signal directly to an individual’s hearing aid or cochlear implant (3).


4

What Is a Telecoil (T-Coil)?

A telecoil (T-Coil) is a small copper coil that is an option on most hearing aids and is built into cochlear implant processors. T-Coils are used to receive the magnetic signal transmitted from a sound source. The signal is then processed by a hearing aid or cochlear implant and passed on to the auditory nerve as sound. The sound heard by the individual is already corrected by the hearing aid to match the wearer’s hearing needs.

5

What if I Don’t Have a T-Coil?

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), complimentary loop listening devices are available at all looped venues.

Photo courtesy of Steve Frazier.

6

Issue of Ambient Noise

Artwork courtesy of Heinz Nafzger .

noises of seats, footsteps ...

talking

children coughing

Ambient Noise (also known as background noise) can be caused by various sources.

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Issue of Reverberation

Artwork courtesy of Heinz Nafzger .

Direct sound

Reverberation: The sound bouncing off walls and ceilings and other objects in the room causing what is described as an “echo.”

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Reverberation

What is a desirable reverberation time?

9

Reverberation

Speech recognition by degree of loss with reverberation (no noise) (R. Harris & D. Swenson 1990)

Amount of Sound Reverberation

Percentage of Words Understood

10

Speech recognition by degree of loss with reverberation in noise (+10dB SNR) (R. Harris & D. Swenson 1990)

Reverberation

Percentage of Words Understood

Amount of Sound Reverberation

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Hearing Loops and Your TV


Looping your living room helps improve TV listening .

You can still hear environmental sounds (i.e., spouse, doorbell, etc.).

You don’t lose the sound if someone walks between you and the TV.

You can sit anywhere in the room and still hear the TV.

The TV sound is customized to your hearing aids.

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Personal Neck Loops

Personal hearing loops can be worn around the neck to provide the user with the benefit of amplified hearing in both ears. Neck loops can interface with:

Cell Phones Personal FM Systems MP3 Players

Photos courtesy of Loop New Mexico

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The Many Uses of Loops

Computers

Stereo and Surround Sound Systems

TVs

MP3 Players

Phones (Cell and home)

Alarm systems

Speakers and announcers at pulpits or podiums

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Signage: A Hearing Loop is Present

This symbol indicates the presence of a hearing loop and

prompts those with hearing aids/cochlear implants to turn

on their T-coils.

If they don't have t-coil equipped hearing aids/cochlear implants it alerts them to borrow a headset.

15

Places You Might Find Loops

Airports Selected areas of Heathrow Airport and both concourses and all individual gate areas of Grand Rapids (MI) Airport are looped.

Photos courtesy of David Myers.

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Taxi Cabs Some of the taxi cabs in New York and almost all taxi cabs in London have had loops installed for the convenience of passengers with hearing loss.

17


Public Mass Transit In London the ticket windows and customer information points for the tube are looped. New York City is in the process of installing loops systems in a large portion of their subway information booths.


18


Stadiums and Event Centers Entire Stadiums can be looped like this recently looped Michigan State University Stadium.


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Places of Worship All places of worship can be looped.

Photos courtesy of Juliëtte Sterkens

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Meeting Rooms Large conference rooms and/or meeting rooms at places of business and conventions can be looped.

Photo courtesy of Steve Frazier.

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Checkout Counters Whether at your local pharmacy, bank, or even convenience store the checkout counters can be looped.

Photo courtesy of Loop New Mexico

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Let’s Loop America

Promoting loops in your community is promoting hearing aid compatible assistive

technology.

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HLAA/Academy “Get in the Hearing Loop” Campaign

The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) on behalf of people with hearing loss and the American Academy of Audiology (Academy) on behalf of audiologists announce a collaborative public education campaign “Get in the Hearing Loop.” An education campaign to enlighten and excite hearing aid users and audiologists, about T-Coils, hearing loops, assistive listening devices and their unique benefits.

For more information on loops, T-Coils, and assistive listening devices, visit www.hearingloss.org.

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Looping Has Worked for Others

“Just as my first pair of glasses astounded me as to what I missed seeing before, this loop was, and is, pure revelation--a veritable epiphany in my life…” K.C. Algoma Blvd United Methodist, Oshkosh, WI

“In all new and extensively remodeled buildings, wherever there is a public address system, a loop should be permanently installed.” California Hearing Loss Association, 2002

“Building Plans Should Include Hearing Loops” December 20, 2010 edition of the Post-Crescent News

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I was in church Sunday and was experimenting with my hearing aid, having almost given up hope of ever understanding a full sentence in the sanctuary. Suddenly, Bang! The loop worked perfectly, and from then on I understood every word spoken by anyone with a microphone. What a delight. . . .What a blessing to have it in our church. Again, thank you for helping us.” (This individual was up in the choir loft.) Allen Davies, Lake Forest, IL 09/02/08

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HEARING LOOP DIRECTORY OF MANUFACTURERS/INSTALLERS (Listed alphabetically by state/country)

UPDATED: June 6, 2012 The information below has been provided by the companies to Hearing Loss Association of America® (HLAA). HLAA has not vetted these companies. Inclusion is based on their assurances to us that they use the international induction loop standard (IEC-60118-4) for installation. This standard ensures strong, even coverage of the signal. We suggest you ask potential installers whether they offer engineering expertise to meet this standard and can verify that they have done so. This will prevent dissatisfaction with uneven, poor quality installations and will delight users with clear, strong input wherever they sit. We also understand that in some jurisdictions loop systems are required to be listed by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL). UL is an independent product safety certification organization. Not all jurisdictions require UL listing. Ask the potential installers whether they can verify that they meet all applicable laws and regulations. Inclusion does not mean Hearing Loss Association of America has endorsed or vetted these installers, nor should exclusion suggest disapproval. ARIZONA Tech-Unique Electronics provides high intelligibility speech sound systems for average and less than average hearing clients ranging from private to government. Our induction loop system venues are pretested for viability with a subsequent final magnetic field survey performed for certification to IEC 60118-4. In addition to design and consulting services our product lines include paging and signage alert systems for the deaf and hard of hearing. We have serve Arizona since 1988. Rob Clarke www.Tech-Unique.net [email protected] 8306 N 8th Street | Phoenix, AZ 85020 602.999.2539 CALIFORNIA California Hearing Loops specializing in Home and Commercial Venue looping. We have experienced, trained technicians who will install a loop system that meets IEC Standards. We service northern and southern California, as well as Nevada. Susan Erlich, Sales [email protected] www.californiahearingloops.com 3350 E. 7th Street #233, Long Beach, CA 90804 562.343.2862


http://www.tech-unique.net/

mailto:[email protected]


http://www.californiahearingloops.com/


COLORADO Assist 2 Hear, LLC - Our goal is to help people hear better...live better. Our mission is to promote the growing Hearing Loop movement in the United States, offer information and professionally install hearing induction loop systems. We are proud to be at the forefront of the Hearing Loop initiative in Colorado. Our staff is trained to properly install induction loops to conform to International Standards (IEC- 601184) and ensure access for the hearing impaired throughout public and private venues. www.assist2hear.com 6648 S. Robb Street | Littleton, CO 80127 Oval Window Audio - Longtime American manufacturer of commercial and residential induction loop assistive listening products. Oval Window products are sold and installed by contractors and dealers across North America. Norman Lederman, Director of Research & Development: [email protected] Paula Hendricks, Educational Director: [email protected] | Sales: [email protected] 33 Wildflower Court | Nederland, CO 80466 Phone/TDD/Fax - 303.447.3607 FLORIDA A V Trends - We are authorized dealers/installers for The Hearing Loop Group, Inc. out of St. Petersburg, FL. A V Trends sells and installs a variety of hearing loop solutions for residential and commercial applications at very affordable cost options. [email protected] www.avtrends.tv Alberto Sanchez, President 3001 S.W. 2 Avenue | Miami, FL 33129-2705 786.426.0062 Cell 786.426.0062 Fax: 305.858.6304 Complete Hearing Solutions - a dual purpose entity who serves both as a nationwide distributor of Loop equipment and a commercial installation company. On the distribution side, we provide commercial and residential Loop components i.e., amplifiers, receivers, and cable as well as the installation design and engineering for installers, architects, A/V companies, and etc. On the installation side, we provide installation for houses of worship, senior living facilities, theatres, schools and universities and any other venue who desires this technology be available for their members, residents, customers or students. www.CompleteHearingOnline.com [email protected] 111 2nd Avenue NE - Suite 900 | St. Petersburg, FL 33701 727.260.3488 Fax: 727.245.7775 Florida Hearing Loop Systems - an induction loop installation company serving South Florida from the Treasure Coast to the Florida Keys. It is operated by Joe Dashiell, a long time Florida resident, who lives with hearing loss and is president of the Hearing Loss Association of Greater Miami. He is trained to properly install induction loop systems that conform to the International Standard (IEC60118-4). The goal is to enable people with hearing loss to hear with substantially increased clarity in public and private venues. Florida Hearing Loop Systems is also a proud supporter of the “Get in the Hearing Loop” campaign and the hearing loop initiative in Florida and across America. More information is available at:


http://www.assist2hear.com/





http://www.avtrends.tv/

http://www.completehearingonline.com/



www.FloridaHearingLoopSystems.com [email protected] 11900 Biscayne Blvd., Ste 720 | North Miami, FL 33181 305.423.9950 800-728-6932 Hearing Loop Group - distributes designs and installs induction loop assistive listening systems. We provide our services for residential, commercial and government clients throughout the United States. We are the United States distributor for Phonic Ear assistive listening systems. Phonic Ear designs and manufactures a full line of commercial grade audio frequency induction loop systems. A Danish-owned company that is part of William DeMant Holdings A/S, they have more than 100 years of experience in the sound and hearing business. www.thehearingloopgroup.com [email protected] Joe Romano, President 1202 66th Street North, St. Petersburg, FL 33710 855.327.5667 / 727.347.1111 Fax: 727.341.1575 GEORGIA T-Coil Apps LLC dba CRSA Hearing Loops & Central VA Hearing Loops - Commercial and home induction loop installation to IEC standards in two locations: Central Virginia and in the Augusta, Georgia area. [email protected] 3215 W. Wimbledon Drive, Augusta, GA 30909-2782 706.664.2363 or 434.981.3004 ILLINOIS Assistive Hearing Systems - AHS is an induction loop installation company started by Tom Thunder, Au.D., a long-time Chicago area audiologist. His team of technical experts - consisting of him, an acoustical engineer, an electrical engineer, and a master craftsman - plans, designs and installs hearing loop systems to meet or exceed the IEC standard for a large variety of facilities. More information is available at www.AssistiveHearingSystems.com P.O. Box 218 | Palatine, IL 60078 312-LOOP-IT-8 (312.566.7488) Fax: 847.359-1207 MICHIGAN American Loop Services - is the commercial installation company created and headed up by Scott Peyton. There are loops across the country provided by American Loop Services, with numerous quotes pending at community and government facilities from coast to coast. www.americanloops.com [email protected] Scott Peyton 6655 West Fish Road | Shelby, MI 49455 231.955.3636 | Fax: 231.798.4410


http://www.floridahearingloopsystems.com/




http://www.assistivehearingsystems.com/

tel:%28312-566-7488

tel:847-359-1068

http://www.americanloops.com/

mailto:[email protected]%20?subject=%20American%20Loop%20Services%20Website%20Contact%20Request


American Made Loops - is the retail sales site for inLOOP products and services. Every loop sold is connected to a local audiologist or hearing center to guarantee the satisfaction and success of this profound technology. www.americanloop.us [email protected] 6321 Norton Center Drive | Norton Shores, MI 49441 Fax: 231.798.2324 Contacta, Inc. - a new but technically experienced American company manufacturing a line of loop products, including a new home TV listening unit, as a joint venture with Britain's Contacta Ltd. In the Midwest, Contacta products are sold, with engineering support, by Hearing Loop Systems. [email protected] | Richard McKinley, Managing Director 332 E. Lakewood Blvd. | Holland, MI 49424 616.392.3400 HARC Mercantile Ltd. - is a distributor for several loop manufacturers’ home products – Hearing Products International MegaLoop, Phonic Ear FIELD Loop System, the Loop America loop systems, Oval Window home and large area systems – as well as several portable loop devices and other products for people with hearing loss. www.harc.com [email protected] 1111 West Centre Avenue | Portage, MI 49024 800.445.9968 or 269.324.1615 – Voice/TTY Fax: 269.324.2387 Hearing Loop.org - hosted by Hope College, Holland, MI, is an informational website created and maintained by Hope College psychology professor David G. Myers and his assistant Kathryn Brownson. [email protected] Hearing Loop Systems - was established in 2008 by a contracting company with over 30 years of experience in the installation of audio/video systems for churches, schools, airports, convention centers, meeting rooms, sports facilities, and other commercial establishments. Nationwide loop system design and installation: Churches, airports, classrooms, pharmacies, meeting rooms. [email protected] www.hearingloopsystems.com 11952 James Street | Holland, MI 49424 800.968.2444 Fax: 616.392.6880 inLOOP, LLC. - is the only national induction loop business that started in support of an audiology practice. We promote the connection of each loop system to a hearing professional to ensure user satisfaction. [email protected] www.inLOOP.tv 6460 Grand Haven Road, Suite A | Norton Shores, MI 49441 231.798.2399 Fax: 231.798.2324


http://www.mytloop.com/

http://www.contacta.co.uk/

http://www.hearingloopsystems.com/


http://www.harc.com/




http://www.hearingloopsystems.com/


http://www.inloop.tv/


Loop America - a North American manufacturer, which has developed loop drivers for both large area and home applications and an online source for residential, commercial, and portable hearing loop systems. Terry Krutz [email protected] www.loopamerica.com [email protected] PO Box 81032 | Rochester, MI 48308-1032 248.783.1104 Premovation Audio/Visual - continues to install commercial hearing loops. They have been installing loops for more than 10 years primarily in the Holland/Grand Rapids, MI area, but also in other parts of the country. Business contact: C. DenHerder [email protected] www.premovation.com [email protected] 37 East 8 Street | Holland, MI 49423 616.396.6405 Wireless Hearing Solutions by inLOOP - Distributes home and commercial inLOOP systems through hearing centers nationwide. Will remain largely unchanged as the supplier of inLOOP induction loop equipment to more than 500 hearing centers throughout the U.S. and Canada. Training and conference functions will be moved to Hearing Wellness Organization. www.wirelesshs.com Terry L Simon 6321 Norton Center Drive | Norton Shores, MI 49441 231.798.2399 NEW MEXICO GWC Looping - dedicated to assisting the hearing loss community by providing and installing high quality loop drivers and related accessories. [email protected] www.gwclooping.com Gary Clark 1924 Sierra Norte Loop NE | Rio Rancho, NM 87144 505.553.4597 ATS Resources - resources for hearing, vision, home safety and literacy needs. We serve private and public sectors to improve access and quality of life. ATS Resources is a d/b/a of New Mexico Relay Network, Inc. and has been serving New Mexico residents since 1993. [email protected] 3301 Menaul NE | Albuquerque, NM 87107 877.287.0608 | 505.222.0608 Samuel Castillo, Sales and Loop Specialist



http://www.loopamerica.com/



http://www.premovation.com/

https://webmail.mailanyone.net/[email protected]

http://www.wirelesshs.com/


http://www.gwclooping.com/


tel:877.287.0608

tel:505.222.0608


NEW YORK Acoustic Loop Innovations – We install home and commercial induction loop systems adhering to the IEC 60118-4 standard. Since our company is directed by an audiologist, it is our mission to provide better hearing for people with hearing loss by advocating for a simple, yet amazing system. After installation of each loop system, the venue (home or commercial) will receive training by an audiologist to ensure that the system will be used appropriately and that the user of the hearing device understands how to activate the T-coil. [email protected] www.acousticloopinnovations.com www.hearingloopsforyou.com Carol B. Letzter, Au.D. 432 Gardiners Avenue | Levittown, NY 11756 516.731.5868 Hearing Loop New York/North East Hearing - we install hearing loops in public and private venues. Our installation and design team consists of a Doctor of Audiology, AV specialist, engineer and general contractor. Installations meet IEC Standards (IEC – 601184). We are committed to raising awareness of hearing loops and bringing the Hearing Loop Initiative to the North East United States. www.HearingLoopNewYork.com [email protected] PO Box 1106 | Miller Place, NY 11764 516.353.0066 Fax: 631.331.2123 Metro Sound Pros Inc. – has been in business for more than 12 years with a steady increase of business each year. We are a Commercial and Residential Audio, Video, and Lighting integration company. We are committed in doing installations to the IEC standards and work very hard to go above and beyond on every project. Covering all realms of Commercial and Residential installations there is NO LIMITATION to what we can do. No matter if it's a simple room loop or a very advanced auto switching multi-zone induction loop system, MSP's design specialists and integrators can get the job done. We are good at making a very sophisticated technology simple to use and easy to get. www.metrosoundpros.com www.metrohearingloop.com [email protected] Leo Garrison 11 Hallock Drive | Washingtonville, NY 10092 845.429.7900 NORTH CAROLINA All Ears Hear Here - was founded to make Wireless Loop Technology available in Western North Carolina. [email protected] 22 Cedar Hill Road | Asheville, NC 28806 828.779.7049



http://www.acousticloopinnovations.com/

http://www.hearingloopsforyou.com/

http://www.hearingloopnewyork.com/


http://www.metrosoundpros.com/

http://www.metrohearingloop.com/




OHIO AssistiveAudio - the North American distributor of AMPETRONIC assistive listening devices. Ampetronic designs and manufactures a full line of commercial grade Audio Frequency Induction Loop System components. Our goal is to assist those with hearing disabilities and others who require controlled audio environments. We provide commercial grade audio induction loop system components and installation accessories, as well as design and consulting support, to sound system installers, sound contractors, architects, builders, sound engineering and construction firms. www.assistiveaudio.com Information: [email protected] Sales: [email protected] 2627 Algonquin Parkway | Toledo, OH 43606-3709 800.224.9295 Fax: 419.292.2169 Audio Loop Solutions, LLC - to provide "new sound experiences" to hearing loss individuals by offering the best, affordable, assistive listening devices and systems to organizations and facilities within your community. www.audioloopsolutions.com [email protected] [email protected] 980 E. Boundary Street | Perrysburg, OH 43551 567.395.7114 OKLAHOMA Halo Induction Looping, LLC. - is the premier choice in Oklahoma and surrounding states for Residential and Commercial Induction Loop Design, Installation, Sales, Service, and Consultation. All systems are professionally installed, and all large venue installations include end-user consultation services at no cost, conducted by a Board Certified Audiologist. Since 2009, Halo Induction Looping has been providing clients with exceptional value and friendly service, as well as the most carefully designed and customized loop applications on the market. **Note from Halo** To show our appreciation for the efforts of the Hearing Loss Association of America, just mention that you saw us in this HLAA Looping Directory to receive $200 off any large venue/commercial full system installation, or $100 off of a distance consultation when hardware is purchased from Halo. We look forward to earning your patronage! [email protected] www.HaloInductionLooping.com 4564 S. Harvard, Suite A | Tulsa, OK 74135 800.651.4256 | 918.894.5403 Fax: 918.894.5451 OREGON Interconnex Ltd. - is an audio/video and induction loop installation company who has been serving the Greater Portland Metropolitan and surrounding areas for more than 10 years. We have trained technicians who follow the IEC standard 60118-4. Interconnex is a proud supporter of “Let's Loop Oregon” initiative. www.icxltd.com | www.hearingloopsoregon.com Michael Tabaka, Operations Manager 2443 Pimlico Drive West Linn Oregon 97068 | 503-742-0412


http://www.assistiveaudio.com/



http://www.audioloopsolutions.com/




http://www.haloinductionlooping.com/

http://www.icxltd.com/

http://www.hearingloopsoregon.com/


PENNSYLVANIA Pure Direct Sound - a division of The Center for Hearing Loss Help. Distributor of quality home loop systems, commercial loop amplifiers and other products to assist people with hearing loss. [email protected] www.puredirectsound.com | www.hearinglosshelp.com 49 Piston Court | Stewartstown, PA 17363 | 717.993.8555 SOUTH CAROLINA American Hearing Loop - South Carolina-based, serving North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. We are dedicated to servicing the hearing impaired through the induction loop installation from start to finish including training. All of our installations meet IEC standards and comply 100 percent with the 2012 ADA requirements. Please visit our website, it is informative and will link you to hearing organizations and associations that endorse us. We are the originators and leaders of the North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia Get in the Hearing Loop campaign. [email protected] www.americanhearingloop.com James Stowell P.O. Box 26134 | Greenville, SC 29616 | 864.404.6937 TENNESSEE Hearing Technologies, Inc. - We install in Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama. Our expertise covers the following: • Installation of telecommunications infrastructures. • Installation/programming/maintenance of telecommunications systems. • Systems include: AFILS (Audio Frequency Induction Loop Systems), Voice, Data, Fiber Optics, CCTV,

Network Video, Nurse Call, Security, Alarms, Audio Visual, VTC, Paging, etc. • BICSI memberships/certifications/licensing. • Registered Communications Distribution Designers (RCDD) on staff. • Inside/Outside Plant installations. • 100% Standards-based and certified products. • More than 30 years of combined experience in servicing commercial, government and military

customers. Offices located in Virginia and Tennessee [email protected] | www.hearingtechnologies.net Sue Tanea, Sales Manager | 800-605-8198



http://www.puredirectsound.com/

http://www.hearinglosshelp.com/


http://www.americanhearingloop.com/


http://www.hearingtechnologies.net/


VIRGINIA Duartek, Inc. - We are proud of our reputation as being one of the top experts in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area specializing in custom engineered A/V systems and solutions to provide effective sound and communications access for people with hearing loss. Duartek’s technology expertise includes: professional audio systems as well as presentation systems, including boardroom conferencing systems with a special focus on hearing accessibility via use of hearing loop technology and other hearing assistive technologies. We work closely with architectural firms and end users to design and install custom integrated systems that not only meet the needs for specialized assistive hearing accommodations, but can also provide sound reinforcement, teleconferencing and A/V presentation technologies to meet the needs of our clients. www.duartek.com Joseph C. Duarte President/Co-principal 3930 Pender Drive - Suite 130 | Fairfax, VA 22030 703.352.2285 VP: 571.350.8465 | Fax: 703.425.4595 Hearing Technologies, Inc. - We install in Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama. Our expertise covers the following: • Installation of telecommunications infrastructures. • Installation/programming/maintenance of telecommunications systems. • Systems include: AFILS (Audio Frequency Induction Loop Systems), Voice, Data, Fiber Optics, CCTV,

Network Video, Nurse Call, Security, Alarms, Audio Visual, VTC, Paging, etc. • BICSI memberships/certifications/licensing. • Registered Communications Distribution Designers (RCDD) on staff. • Inside/Outside Plant installations. • 100% Standards-based and certified products. • More than 30 years of combined experience in servicing commercial, government and military

customers. Offices located in Virginia and Tennessee [email protected] www.hearingtechnologies.net Sue Tanea, Sales Manager 800-605-8198 WISCONSIN Fox Valley Hearing Loop, LLC - we promote awareness and installation of hearing loops in the Fox Valley area of Wisconsin. For up to date information on hearing loops in Wisconsin for consumers and audiologists visit www.loopwisconsin.com. Audiologist Dr. Juliette Stërkens is available for public speaking and support - [email protected] 1555 Candlelight Court | Oshkosh, WI 54904 920.231.0503 | Mobile: 920.450.8048


http://www.duartek.com/


http://www.hearingtechnologies.net/

http://www.loopwisconsin.com/



CANADA Better Hearing Solutions - Canada's premier choice for a better sound experience for individuals with hearing loss through the supply of easy to use, technologically superior assistive listening systems to organizations and facilities within your community. All Residential, Commercial and Institutional Audio Frequency Induction Loop Systems (AFILS) are professionally installed to IEC60118 design standards using CSA (or recognized equivalent) certified equipment. www.betterhearingsolutions.ca Bill Droogendyk at [email protected] 736 Woodhill Road Street | Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L0R 2B0 905.518.3780 EUROPE Ampetronic Ltd. - a British company whose products are in use worldwide, with marketing in the U.S.A. by Assistive Audio. [email protected] www.ampetronic.com Northern Road | Newark | Nottinghamshire NG24 2ET United Kingdom 01636 610062 (in UK) +44 1636 610062 (from overseas) Fax: 01636 610063 (in UK) +44 1636 610063 (from overseas) Bo Edin - a Swedish loop manufacturer of Univox products for home (including a simple chair pad system) and institutions, via Pure Direct Sound and Hearing Loop Products, and via other vendors, including the Center for Hearing Loss Help and TecEar. [email protected] Stockby Hantverksby 3 | SE-181 75 Lidingö, SWEDEN +46 8 767 1818 Fax: +46 8 767 18 20 Contacta Systems Limited - for nearly 40 years Contacta has been working with customer focused service providers to develop solutions that improve the ways that they interact with the public through its unique range of induction loop, speech transfer and queue management systems. www.contacta.co.uk [email protected] 11 Tower View Kings Hill | West Malling, Kent ME19 4UY UK 01732.223.900 Fax: 01732.223.909 UnivoxAudio Ltd. Unit 22 Martlesham Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire AL7 2QF | United Kingdom +44 (0)1707 339216 [email protected] www.univoxaudio.co.uk


http://www.betterhearingsolutions.ca/


http://www.assistiveaudio.com/


http://www.ampetronic.com/

http://www.edin.se/index1.htm

http://www.puredirectsound.com/

http://www.hearingloopproducts.com/

http://www.hearinglosshelp.com/products.htm#room_loops

http://www.tecear.com/


http://www.contacta.co.uk/




Vivid Acoustics - a British manufacturer of the portable and countertop Soundshuttle and the portable Clipboard, distributed in the U.S.A. by Pure Direct Sound and others. The Vivid process is undertaken from our head office in Cramlington, Northumberland where we produce a range of assistive hearing systems that are used throughout the UK, Europe, the Middle East and the USA. For more than 20 years we have been involved in the manufacture of high quality audio systems for recording studios for some of the world's most famous groups and performing artists. [email protected] www.vivid-acoustics.com D.T.S. Building, Nelson Way Cramlington, Northumberland, NE23 1WG +44 (0) 1670 710740 Fax: +44 (0) 1670 710750


http://www.vivid-acoustics.com/

http://www.puredirectsound.com/id20.html


http://www.vivid-acoustics.com/