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Hearing the TV with hearing aids
Hearing Loss | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (62)Comment receiving replies
There is so much terminology and acronyms!
So with your comment: "movie theaters look at me like I am crazy when I ask if they have telecoil." that's probably true: most staff don't know what a telecoil is - that's the component in your hearing aid to connect-nothing that movie theaters are responsible for.
Instead, could I suggest requesting "assistive listening" or "captioning" Here are the links for the accessibility page for the movie chains
https://centerforhearingaccess.org/place-movies/
Replies to "@daveshaw There is so much terminology and acronyms! So with your comment: "movie theaters look at..."
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There is some confusion here. Telecoils are components that are built into personal technology like hearing aids or cochlear implant processors. Some of the hand held microphones that work with hearing aids and cochlear processors also have telecoils.
Telecoils are not built into theaters, etc. In order to use a telecoil equipped personal device, the venue where you want to listen must have an induction loop installed. (Hearing Loop). That loop system makes it possible for the public address transmitter to send the signal directly to the telecoil in the personal device. This bypasses background noise and makes hearing easier.
Sorry so confusing, but this discussion is confusing.
Auracast is another technology that functions similar to the way telecoils and hearing loops work. The personal device (hearing aid or cochlear processor) has to have the 'receiver' to connect with the 'transmitter'. Auracast is not readily available yet.
Telecoils are receivers. Loop systems are connected to a sound system that transmits sound to those receivers.
Auracast is a very new technology that does basically the same thing. However it is not readily available yet. When it is available, the receivers in hearing aids and cochlear processors must be able to relate to it. A reality is...if a venue has a hearing loop they will not have to jump to a new technology. They will be compliant.
Sorry this is so complicated. Loops and telecoils have been around for decades. They work well. They meet the mandates of the Americans with Disabilities Act. So do FM and IR systems that are installed in some arenas...those require receivers that must be requested at those venues.
Telecoils/loops and eventually Auracast will make it possible to pick up desired sound from a transmitter.
A venue is in compliance with any of these technologies. YOU MUST ASK FOR IT BY USING THE PROPER TERMINOLOGY. If they don't have it, and you continue to request it, they are learning the ropes. Hopefully with this kind of advocacy, they will get the message and install it. Know what you are asking for.
This kind of confusion adds to the reluctance of venues to follow the rules. WE HAVE A LOT OF EDUCATING AND ADVOCATING TO DO. The ADA also says they don't have to install this technology if it's cost prohibitive.
Lots of work to do out there. Are you willing to go public with your hearing loss to get venues to meet your needs?