Getting hard of hearing people in the loop.
People with hearing loss can dream of a future in which hearing aids also serve as wireless loudspeakers, delivering clear, customized sound from inside their ears. They can dream of communities where worship places, auditoriums, and business windows all broadcast their sound through these in-the-ear loudspeakers. Thanks to the refinement of “induction loop” systems—which magnetically transmit sound to hearing aids and cochlear implants with telecoils (T-coils)—that future can be now!
Experience hearing loop sound demonstrations and see a child’s reaction to a home TV room loop.
For 2-minute animated explanations of hearing loops, see here or here.
Evidence that people with hearing loss greatly benefit, plus new evidence of “dramatic” benefits. See also endorsements of this hearing aid compatible assistive listening, and user testimonials.
See here for a comparison of assistive listening technologies and here for a University of Virginia accessibility office case for hearing loops. Or here for a library of ~1200 articles, presentations, & other resources.
A Hearing Loss Association of America task force is advocating this transformation in U.S. assistive listening. See its explanatory loop brochure. See here and here for a toolkit of resources and much more. And join the network of North American loop advocates here.
An induction loop system transmits magnetic energy to telecoil-equipped hearing aids through a wire that surrounds an audience.