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Do you know about Telecoils & Hearing Loops in Public Spaces?
Hearing Loss | Last Active: Dec 21, 2023 | Replies (107)Comment receiving replies
to nightwatchrenband
Yes definitely hearing loops need to be more widely publicized. There are very few in my area in Western Mass. When I think about requesting more (I'm just vaguely considering it at this point) I always get hung up on three things: 1. People need to have the telecoil as part of their hearing aides to use them (I'm not sure many people around here would have the feature since there are few places the telecoils are available and the audiologists aren't pushing them), 2. They're expensive for a venue to install ($10,000 or more) so it's a lot to ask for and 3. They only help out in situations where there is a microphone or other central source of sound. All that aside, however, it's a great idea and I will looking more closely at the HLAA article and the info on Mayo Connect. Ann
Replies to "to nightwatchrenband Yes definitely hearing loops need to be more widely publicized. There are very few..."
The Induction Hearing Loop is OLD NEWS everyone. It is found in Europe for the last decade and has been in the US for the last 5 years. The Hearing Loss Association of America has been teaching and promoting this 'old' technology for some time but the problem is those who should be helping all of us use it, don't want to show and tell us about it. https://www.hearingloss.org/hearing-help/technology/hat/hearing-loop-technology/
The reason...it requires telling us about the little coil in our hearing aids - not all hearing aids have them remember... but this telecoil (t-coil) needs to be 'turned on' and also needs to be used in an environment that has an electromagnetic field or room that can hear within the loop system. It works like a mini WIFI system for your hearing aids. Granted, the loop sound system can't always be found everywhere because it has very specific standard with which it functions in order for you to hear with your aid/CI. Request need to be made to have the loop placed in rooms/auditoriums, houses of worships, theaters, etc and then specific measurements, assessments of the building, foundations, layouts of how the loop can be done for the benefit of the recipients must be made along with other considerations of the installers, all contribute to the cost of laying the induction hearing loop.
It's always much easier to lay the loop in a building that is being built than after the fact or if any renovations are being considered. That is why, if you all know of any renovations being considered around you, always be the first to offer your townships, cities the idea of placing the hearing loop for ADA accommodations for hard of hearing community involvement. They would be surprised at the number of people that are HOH nation wide especially in libraries. There is federal monies available for libraries to loop their community rooms and special computer rooms... Go after your libraries... I did in WI...and most of our libraries are looped now.
Also, ask your audiologist to tell you about the tcoil and show you what it is and how to use it. It helps you use your cell phone, it helps you use assistive listening devices and can be connected to other devices. Learn about it. IT's new and old - all in one.
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It can be frustrating. Knowing that you have a telecoil is only good if you have looped spaces. With regard to costs, the range is very wide. A counter-top loop for 1-to-1 conversations is well under $1000 and requires no installation. Depending upon the size of a room, a full room loop can be anywhere from $1500 to over $10k. Seems like a lot to ask of businesses -- but there is a federal tax credit available for this work, and there are many benefits for customers/patients/visitors and the employees who need to communicate with them.