by David Myers, Ph.D.
Here are a dozen advantages of loop systems. They . . .
- Are hearing aid compatible. This also means there’s no need when at worship to juggle between hearing aids out/headset on (during sermons) and hearing aids in/headset off (during singing).
- Can harness, at no added expense to the hearing aid wearer, the same telecoil technology used by hearing aid compatible telephones.
- Require (for those with telecoils) no pickup and remembering to return portable receiving units and headsets.
- Require purchasing/maintaining/replacing fewer portable receiving units (for those as yet without telecoils or heading aids).
- Operate on a universal frequency (FM systems operate on differing frequencies, requiring receivers for each venue).
- Serve those with most new cochlear implants (which come with telecoils) as well as those with hearing aids (especially those most needing assistive listening, who generally have behind-the-ear aids, which generally include strong telecoils).
- Are inconspicuous. Loop systems offer an easy and invisible solution to an invisible problem, thus are much more likely to be used.
- Work in transient situations. They can serve the hard of hearing at ticket counters, teller windows, airport gate areas, train stations, etc.—venues where other assistive listening systems are impractical.
- Contain sound. Because sound broadcast through hearing aids is contained within one’s ear, there is no risk of leaked headset sound bothering others nearby.
- Afford flexible use. Can allow either direct listening or loop broadcast modes, or both. Also typically allow M/T (mic + telecoil) settings to allow both assistive listening from PA system or TV and normal listening of conversation or singing from people nearby.
- Deliver personalized in-the-ear-sound—sound customized by one’s own hearing aids to address one’s own hearing loss.
- Are, for all these reasons, much more likely to be used—and to be increasingly used, once installed (as people purchase future aids with T-coils). (1)
To learn more about these wonderful loop systems, read the article, “Loop Systems—The Best-Kept Secret in Town“.
(1) Used by permission http://www.puredirectsound.com/id11.html
I currently use the Loop System from your website and I love it! However I have noticed that many new TV’s no longer have a standard headphone jack and I want to how the Loop System will be compatible with them.
Hi Pat:
Although you can use a headphone jack, the standard way to hook up a loop amplifier to a TV in via the RCA audio output jacks. Basically, all the larger TV sets have RCA audio output jacks so this shouldn’t be a problem.
On the other hand, some of the smaller TVs only have INPUT jacks. With these there will be a problem.
However, the vast majority of TVs of any size will have either the RCA output jacks or a headphone jack–and either of these will work with a loop amplifier.
Neil