In 1994, the United States Department of Justice published “Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title III Technical Assistance Manual 1994 Supplement.” That document set accessibility standards for buildings and facilities and recommended that at least one permanent assistive listening device be installed at all sales and service counters, teller windows, box offices and information kiosks where a physical barrier separates service personnel and customers. In addition, the supplement called for installation of large-area assistive listening systems in public places such as lecture halls and theaters. One popular technology that can help businesses comply with these ADA requirements is the induction loop.
Hope College Professor David Myers suggests that widespread use of induction loop technology in this nation could double the functionality of hearing aids, thereby doubling their use and decreasing the stigma of hearing loss.
After experiencing the freedom of listening through induction loops in the United Kingdom, Myers began a campaign to make the adjoining cities of Holland and Zeeland, Mich., a demonstration community. Holland-Zeeland has since become a model looped community where to date more than 80 churches, educational and public facilities, businesses and local venues are looped. For more information about looping communities, go online to www.hearingloop.org.
What Is an Induction Loop System?
An induction loop system allows hearing aid and cochlear implant users with a telecoil (switched to the T or MT position) or anyone wearing an induction loop receiver to listen directly to sound without the interference of background noise. The system consists of an input, output and an amplifier which is connected to the input, or sound source, such as a television, radio, public address (PA) system or dedicated microphone. The sound is amplified and sent out in the form of an alternating current through the loop, or output. The conventional loop consists of an insulated wire, one turn of which is placed around the perimeter of the room in a simple loop.
Alternately, the loop can consist of four wires configured in a geometric pattern and embedded in a cushion or a mat placed beneath carpeting. When the current from the amplifier flows through the loop, a magnetic field is created within the room. The magnetic field “induces” the telecoil or the induction loop receiver.
Induction loop systems deliver sound directly to the hearing aid or cochlear implant in pure, undistorted form, optimizing the benefits of hearing aids and cochlear implants. The signal provided by an induction loop system is not affected by the distance of the listener from the sound source, nor by any interfering background noises in the room and can therefore significantly improve the ability to understand speech. If you don’t wear a hearing aid or cochlear implant, you can listen using an induction loop receiver.
Induction loops come in small portable systems and both small and large stationary systems. Portable inductive loop systems are for use with small groups of listeners and can be stored in a carrying case and set up as needed. Stationary loop systems are permanently installed and used in transient locations such as ticket counters, reception desks, airports, shopping malls, drive-throughs, elevators, buses and museum exhibits. Stationary systems both large and small may also be used for extended presentations typical of theaters, concert halls, auditoriums, libraries, places of worship and TV rooms at home or in nursing homes and hospitals.
Though all of the manufacturers listed below are European (except for Oval Window Audio), products listed here are available through U. S. distributors.
Go with It
With the Portable InfoLoop by Oval Window Audio, listeners receive the signal at a distance of up to four feet from the internal loop in the unit. Weighing only 3.25 pounds, this table-top loop system houses a built-in omnidirectional microphone, loop-wire antenna and rechargeable battery.
The Vivid Acoustics™ Clipboard is a self-contained, fully portable, audio frequency induction loop system built in an ergonomically designed clipboard. It has an integral microphone and transmitting loop.
Vivid Acoustics also makes Soundshuttle, available either as a portable or a stationary system. Though designed for transient use, an external microphone and external loop are optional accessories for extended use.
The Vivid Acoustics Guide Loop is designed to provide tour guides and their hard of hearing visitors with flexibility for communication. Lightweight and slim in design, it is worn on the shoulder of the tour guide and rests at waist level. The integral shoulder strap houses the external loop and microphone cable.
The InfinityLoop by Vivid Acoustics is a portable large-area induction loop system housed in a flight case for quick setup of small, medium and large rooms or auditoriums. The InfinityLoop’s various sound inputs enable connections from TVs, VCRs, DVDs and multimedia systems.
Bo EDIN AB’s Univox p-Loop is a versatile, compact portable induction loop system which is easy to use and operates in small and medium-sized rooms. The system includes two wireless microphones and UniEar listening and test instrument.
The Univox 2A is a small amplifier for loop pad or small loop cable (for sofa, small room, etc.). It comes in a ready-to-use kit with amplifier, microphone or TV cable and loop pad or loop cable (see photo on p. 29). There is also a set to be used in the car that comes with a microphone to place at the car-stereo speaker or mount by the passenger in the car, while the loop cushion or loop pad is placed under the car seat.
Roll with It
The Ampetronic ILD15 loop amplifier is designed for use in metal enclosures such as elevators and exposed information kiosks. The ILD60DC is a small-area loop system for use in buses, boats and other mobile transportation systems.
When used with a compatible hearing aid or cochlear implant, the MobiLoop LV hearing assistance system by Oval Window Audio greatly reduces the background noise associated with most modes of transportation.
Ideal Over the Counter
UniVox CTC (Cross the Counter) systems by Bo EDIN AB are complete induction loop systems for installation in transient-use areas. CTC systems include a loop pad which is mounted under the counter/desk to enhance speech perception.
Phonic Ear® OTIC is a counter communication system with a microphone that directs staff voices straight to the customer’s ear either through the receiver or through the magnetic field from the loop pad.
The TableTop Loop, manufactured by Vivid Acoustics, is available either as a portable or a main system. The TableTop Loop has an internal loop for transient use. An external microphone and external loop are optional accessories for extended use.
Portable Loops for Extended Use
The FIELD, by Phonic Ear is a teleloop amplifier ideal for listening to TV or stereo and can also be used for personal conversations or in classrooms and meetings when a microphone is used.
MicroLoop II systems by Oval Window Audio are ideal for classrooms, meetings, watching TV and conversation in automobiles. The MicroLoop II has a clip-on microphone with a 10-foot cord. The MicroLoop II FM comes with a clip-on or handheld wireless microphone and the MicroLoop II Dual FM comes with two wireless microphones.
Stationary Loops for Extended Use
The ILD122 and ILD252 induction loop amplifiers by Ampetronic are especially suitable for use in small or medium churches, auditoriums and conference rooms. The ILD9 is designed for large areas where superior vocal and musical reproduction is critical such as cathedrals, sports halls and theaters.
Bo EDIN AB domestic loop system (DLS) amplifiers are primarily targeted for use at home. UniVox® DLS-70 and DLS-380 are stationary loop systems featuring line and microphone inputs (built-in phantom voltage), as well as loop sound indicators for doorbells and telephones. Professional loop systems (PLS) in the Bo EDIN AB product line are UniVox PLS-100, 300, 700 and 900. The UniVox Super Loop Systems (SLS), UniVox SLS-100, 300 and 700, are unique systems that have the cure for overspill, feedback, high-frequency response, distortion, metallic interference and level-drop when listeners tilt their head.
Oval Window Audio’s SuperLoop PRO III is a stand-alone induction loop assistive listening system most often used in large conference rooms and other sites with a public address sound system. Oval Window Audio’s Satellite III is designed to interface with existing sound systems in large facilities, providing coverage of up to 325 feet in perimeter. In the event larger areas need to be looped, multiple Satellite III systems may be linked.
Finally, Oval Window Audio offers the Induction Loop Receiver which is compatible with all induction loop assistive listening systems and designed for use by hard of hearing people who do not have telecoil-equipped hearing aids.
Check these manufacturers’ and distributors’ Web sites for additional details on these systems and others. The bottom line is that with the plethora of options and the legal protections of the ADA, there is no reason for you to be out of the loop.
