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Understanding Hearing Loops

An induction hearing loop, also called an assistive listening loop, is a form of hearing assistive technology that utilizes magnetic induction to transmit the audio from a venue's sound source directly to a user's telecoil-enabled hearing device. To do so, a copper circuit is designed specifically for the venue to ensure a uniform and clear signal for listeners. The telecoil function (found in 74%* of hearing devices on the market today) serves as the receiver for the user, allowing them to access the sound without checking out and wearing additional equipment.

A hearing loop consists of a wire loop installed in a venue that emits a magnetic signal, which is picked up by the T-coil in a hearing aid or cochlear implant, delivering clear sound directly to the user.
  1. Audio Input: A sound source such as a microphone or audio system, captures the desired audio.
  2. Signal Processing: The audio signal is sent to an amplifier, which processes and transmits it through a loop of wire installed around the designated area.
  3. Magnetic Transmission: The loop wire generates a magnetic field that carries the audio signal through the looped area.
  4. Reception by Hearing Devices: Hearing aids or cochlear implants with activated T-coils pick up the magnetic signal, converting it back into sound tailored to the user’s hearing needs.
  • Improved Sound Quality
  • Universal Compatibility
  • Discreet and Convenient

Everyone with hearing loss can benefit from a hearing loop, with or without a personal telecoil-enabled hearing device. For individuals who do not have telecoil-enabled hearing devices, or those who have not yet activated the telecoil program, receivers and headsets are available for use. These devices allow anyone to benefit from the hearing loop system, regardless of their hearing device compatibility.

Hearing loops are not just for people with hearing loss. Audiophiles love hearing loops at concerts because they can experience the perfect sound from the soundboard. A near zero signal to noise ratio means no background noise, echo, or reverberation. The audio source sounds exactly how it is intended to be mixed by the audio engineer for optimal listening.

Hearing loops are installed in various public and private spaces to enhance accessibility for individuals with hearing loss.

Common venues include:

By integrating hearing loops into these environments, organizations promote inclusivity and ensure that individuals with hearing impairments can fully engage in various activities and services.

Hearing loops are simple for the user and even more simple for the venue. A hearing loop lets the guest use their own hearing aids which cost thousands of dollars and are customized perfectly instead of using foam headsets. The guest doesn’t need to track down headsets or wear a receiver around their neck, which few people with hearing loss take the initiative to do. Some venues even offer a one-ear headset, but we need both sides to hear well! Regardless, most people cannot hear anything without their hearing aids and can’t wear headsets on top of the aids because of feedback. For the venue with a properly designed hearing loop, the receiver quantity requirement is eliminated as is the common concerns of battery charging and if the battery will last the entire program. Additionally, there are no hygiene concerns from sharing public headsets. Do you like to share headsets?

Telecoils and Compatibility

Approximately 70-85% of hearing aids are equipped with T-coils. To determine if yours has one, consult your hearing care professional.

Other ways to evaluate if a telecoil is present in your hearing aids include:

  1. Check the hearing aid’s product name for a “T” in it. This is a good indicator that a telecoil is present!
  2. Review the hearing aid product description for description for notation of a telecoil or “T” in the name.
  3. Refer to your hearing aid product’s user manual. The manual may cover multiple models, so knowing your product’s specific model number is helpful.
  4. Some other methods of checking if a telecoil is present include:
    1. Hearing aids that are classified as behind the ear (BTE) most-likely include a telecoil.
    2. Small hearing aids worn as a mini receiver-in-the ear (mini-RITE) or completely in the canal (CIC) do not typically have telecoils in them. This is because the size of the hearing aid has been reduced to meet the goal of being discrete.

Most hearing aids have 3-4 settings including the telecoil setting. Some people change their settings by pushing buttons directly on the device. Others change settings through a phone application. A quick visit to the audiologist or hearing aid provider is the best way to find out if your device is hearing loop compatible.

According to the Hearing Loss Association of America, 81 percent of hearing aid models either come with t-coils or offer t-coils as an option and all Cochlear implant processors have t-coils. An audiologist or hearing aid specialist simply activates the telecoil setting. When the user sees the international hearing loop logo, they discreetly switch to the telecoil setting which turns off the hearing aid’s microphone which eliminates the difficult background noise and improves understanding.
Yes, those without T-coil-enabled devices can use portable loop receivers with headphones to access the benefits of hearing loops.

A properly installed hearing loop can mean years of compliments and Bluetooth still needs some work. There are many people who don’t understand how to use their smartphones and connecting to the house Wi-Fi and pairing can be difficult for all ages. Bluetooth only permits a limited number of users, and need special instructions informing audiences of the house Wi-Fi password and how to connect. Most importantly, Bluetooth Is NOT compliant with the ADA standards for hearing access in public venues. Hearing loops technology is the most appropriate for large spaces because it creates a magnetic field of clear sound across ANY size of room. A hearing loop permits an infinite number of users, without the burden of purchasing additional receivers as with FM or IR systems. It also removes the background noise, echo, chatter, footsteps, and the distance to the microphone. It’s no wonder why hearing loops are the user-preferred ADA approved technology for hearing access! When a guest sees the international hearing loop sign, they will simply discreetly change settings on their hearing aids and enjoy the clear sound.
Generally, hearing loops are designed to work without interference. However, older electronic devices or certain environments may introduce some interference, though this is rare with modern systems.

Using a Hearing Loop

To access the hearing loop, switch your hearing aid or cochlear implant to the T-coil program. If you’re unsure how to do this, consult your hearing care professional for guidance.
Property installed hearing loops provide uniform sound quality within the designated area.
In hearing loops, experience matters. A professional hearing loop installer like Assist2Hear will be able to control sound spill between adjacent rooms. Convention centers, classrooms, courtrooms, pharmacy windows and bank teller stations require perfect design from field-tested professionals like Assist2Hear.
A hearing loop is designed to work with telecoil-enabled hearing devices, but individuals without one can still use the system with a portable loop receiver and headphones, which are often available at the venue.

Advocacy & Community

While hearing aids amplify sound, they may not effectively reduce background noise or handle acoustically challenging environments. Hearing loops provide direct audio input, minimizing ambient noise and enhancing speech intelligibility.

Although hearing aids work well in quiet, close situations, many users cannot understand dialogue in large spaces. Hearing aids and implants are like tiny amplifiers which make everything louder within a short distance of the wearer. It’s not that people with aids can’t hear- they just have trouble understanding because of the extra sounds. When a person walks into the looped area and switches to the telecoil setting, the background noise, echo and reverberation disappear and the microphone is delivered straight to their ears or receivers.

First of all, what if your building didn’t have a wheelchair ramp? If there was no ramp to your building for those with physical disabilities, wouldn’t money be found or generated for that important cause? Hearing loss is an invisible disability which affects 48 million Americans- only 3.6 million use wheelchairs. What makes it worse is that hearing loss carries a huge stigma which means many people will struggle to make sense of the sound system for years which can be dangerous especially in emergency situations. In houses of worship, complaints will continue even with the best audio upgrades. People with hearing aids don’t need more volume- they need clarity.

Hearing loops are to hearing loss, what wheelchair ramps are to people with physical disabilities. The 2010 Design Standards for Americans with Disabilities Act requires access that works. Having an ineffective FM or IR system is like having a wheelchair ramp in the back of the building that is too steep or covered with gravel. No one will use it, although some will file a complaint with the ADA which can be expensive.
A hearing loop enables clear sound for a person with hearing loss at pharmacies, information desks, subway ticket counters, and taxis, or when passing through airports and train stations. As an example, in New York City, over 1400 Taxis of Tomorrow and more than 600 New York City subway information and fare kiosks have hearing loops installed.
Many communities have become hearing friendly through one person’s self-advocacy. Often a group of concerned citizens, or church members, is more successful in convincing venues to tackle an invisible solution for an invisible disability. The best way to start is by getting prepared. Familiarize yourself with hearing loop technology and understand the less friendly FM and IR systems. Contact the guest services of the venues you would like to see looped and present your experience and desire for better hearing access.

Installation & Technical Considerations

The cost varies depending on the size and complexity of the installation, ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.

Costs are dependent on several factors including size of the space and mandatory testing. It is a red flag if a company promises a loop without physical testing prior to installation. Properly designed hearing loops use the testing to ensure uniformity and international hearing loop standards. A loop can range from several thousand dollars for a professional installation in an auditorium or worship space to over a hundred thousand for multilevel performing arts centers. There is no cost to the user with telecoil-equipped hearing devices and a well installed hearing loop should have little to no maintenance cost for the venue.

A hearing loop can be installed in just part of a church–such as a designated seating area–instead of the entire sanctuary. This can be a cost-effective solution while still providing accessibility for those who need it.

A common misconception about hearing loops is that they are installed by simply “running a wire around a room.” In reality, very few venues meet the construction and size requirements for a perimeter loop system. Simply “running a wire around a room” frequently leads to poor signal and complaints by users.

Hearing loop systems are custom designed and installed for each venue’s specific construction makeup, layout, and function. Using a field-certified hearing loop installer is essential to ensure a properly installed hearing loop.

Most facilities can be looped. Metal-heavy building designs can make a loop installation more difficult, and may require multiple loops for smaller sections. It is important to have a “Field Tested” hearing loop contractor to install your hearing loop. Going with an audio company with little to no hearing loop installation experience can be disastrous and a waste of money. A professional looper will always conduct an initial site assessment to determine if a hearing loop is possible or the best solution for the space.

If a hearing loop is not a possibility for your venue, Assist2Hear can provide a recommendation for the next best assistive listening option for your specific user group.

No, a properly installed hearing loop will not interfere with wireless microphones. Hearing loops operate on a different frequency and are designed to work alongside existing sound systems.

Audio visual companies who install the “occasional” hearing loop are generally less educated on current technology and installation methods. Induction hearing loops are a niche segment of audio visual. Why do we say this? Because approximately 20% of Assist2Hear’s business is fixing hearing loop installations by audio visual companies or other installers who may have good intentions, but simply are not familiar enough with the technology to install it properly.

Unfortunately, a lot of hearing loop installers are minimally trained and/or if so, do not install hearing loops regularly. Experience is everything in an industry where each installation is customized based upon the function of the space, layout, metal loss characteristics, and décor.

Be wary of the “hobbyist” hearing loop installer! Ask any potential hearing loop installer how many hearing loops they installed in the last six months. If they can’t produce a list of recent installations and happy customers, be very wary. Products and materials change rapidly in our industry, and it is important to use a hearing loop installer who is up-to-date on the newest products.
Hearing loops are appropriate for use in houses of worship, theaters and performing arts venues, senior living facilities, conference rooms, government buildings, and other public spaces, amongst other places.

Induction hearing loops (assistive listening loops) are the preferred form of assistive listening technology by people living with hearing loss.

Each hearing loop system is designed specifically for the venue to be looped.

Be wary of the “hobbyist” hearing loop installer! Ask any potential hearing loop installer how many hearing loops they installed in the last six months. If they can’t produce a list of recent installations and happy customers, be very wary. Products and materials change rapidly in our industry, and it is important to use a hearing loop installer who is up-to-date on the newest products.
Hearing loops are appropriate for use in houses of worship, theaters and performing arts venues, senior living facilities, conference rooms, government buildings, and other public spaces, amongst other places.

Induction hearing loops (assistive listening loops) are the preferred form of assistive listening technology by people living with hearing loss.

Each hearing loop system is designed specifically for the venue to be looped.

Personalized hearing devices, such as hearing aids or cochlear implants, have made great strides for one-to-one conversation or close distance communication. Unfortunately, hearing devices often come up short in large settings like theaters, courtrooms and churches. For many people with hearing loss, the sound becomes unclear when the speakers are at a distance, background noise is present, or a room’s acoustics cause echo or reverberation of sound. Imagine trying to hear the sermon, but instead hearing the air conditioner. A hearing loop utilizes the listener’s telecoil-enabled hearing devices, which filters out the sounds that make hearing difficult for people with hearing loss, such as ambient noise, echo, and reverberation.

Bluetooth

Personalized hearing devices, such as hearing aids or cochlear implants, have made great strides for one-to-one conversation or close distance communication. Unfortunately, hearing devices often come up short in large settings like theaters, courtrooms and churches. For many people with hearing loss, the sound becomes unclear when the speakers are at a distance, background noise is present, or a room’s acoustics cause echo or reverberation of sound. Imagine trying to hear the sermon, but instead hearing the air conditioner. A hearing loop utilizes the listener’s telecoil-enabled hearing devices, which filters out the sounds that make hearing difficult for people with hearing loss, such as ambient noise, echo, and reverberation.

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