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How  a  Hearing  Loop  System  Operates  

Hearing  aids  are  remarkably  effective  at  enhancing  a  person’s  ability  to  hear,  but  when  worn  in  a  crowded  environment  they  can  quickly  overwhelm  the  wearer  with  unwanted  noise.  This  is  especially  true  in  boisterous  settings  such  as  concert  halls,  movie  theaters,  churches,  and  auditoriums.  The  good  news  is,  hearing  loops  systems  offer  a  solution  to  this  problem,  allowing  hearing  aid  users  to  readily  hear  the  sounds  they  wish  to  enjoy.      

Hearing  loop  systems  work  together  with  the  telecoil  feature  found  in  many  hearing  aids.  Telecoils  were  originally  designed  to  pick  up  on  the  magnetic  fields  created  by  coils  within  telephones.  This  allowed  the  wearer  to  easily  listen  to  telephone  conversations  without  distraction  from  background  noise.  Hearing  loop  systems  take  this  concept  a  few  steps  further  by  creating  a  larger  magnetic  field  for  telecoils  to  pick  

up  on.  

A  hearing  loop  system  has  several  components,  starting  with  some  type  of  audio  input  (usually  from  a  dedicated  microphone  feed  or  a  public  address  system).  This  audio  input  is  routed  to  a  hearing  loop  amplifier,  which  then  feeds  a  current  along  a  cable  or  series  of  cables  that  have  been  installed  around  the  room.  If  the  technicians  who  install  the  hearing  loop  system  do  their  jobs  correctly,  anyone  wearing  a  telecoil-­‐equipped  hearing  aid  will  be  able  to  hear  the  transmitted  

sounds  clearly  wherever  they  are  in  the  room,  without  any  “drop-­‐out”  or  “dead  spots”.  

Despite  the  fact  that  several  newer  technologies  like  FM  transmission  neck  loops  are  being  installed  in  public  and  private  venues,  traditional  audio  loop  systems  continue  to  offer  several  unique  benefits.  These  systems  are  very  convenient  for  patrons  whose  hearing  aids  have  a  telecoil  feature,  allowing  them  to  visit  any  properly  equipped  venue  without  worrying  about  their  ability  to  hear.  Listeners  also  appreciate  their  more  subtle  nature,  which  allows  them  to  enjoy  a  concert,  presentation,  or  worship  service  without  the  self-­‐consciousness  that  can  accompany  wearing  a  neck  loop.      

 

   

Advanced Hearing and Balance Center IL | (847) 453-3643 | http://www.hearwellevanston.com/

Discover more great content here: http://twitter.com/hearingevanston

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While  hearing  loop  systems  require  some  initial  investment  in  terms  of  equipment  and  set-­‐up,  they  are  a  proven  way  for  venue  owners  and  managers  to  offer  a  high-­‐quality  listening  experience  to  as  many  visitors  as  possible.