Have you or someone you love turned down an activity in a public space, because it’s frustrating trying to listen in a certain environment? Hearing loss can be incredibly isolating, but it doesn’t have to be. Assistive listening devices (ALDs) help people listen in difficult environments. They’re also mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act. For more information on that topic, please visit our Compliance Page.
There are three main types of assistive listening technologies: RF, IR, and Hearing Loop.
RF: RF Systems work similarly to radios and use a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter transmits sound to the receiver, which a person wears with headphones or ear buds to listen to what sound is being broadcast.
IR: An IR System uses infrared technology to wirelessly transmit sound to a receiver. The difference between IR and RF systems is that an IR system offers more privacy, because the infrared signal is contained within a space.
Hearing Loop: Hearing loops create discreet listening experiences to those who use t-coil equipped hearing aids. If a venue has a hearing loop installed, they will indicate it with assistive listening signage that has a “T” on it. Otherwise, the venue has one of the other types of systems.
Neck Loop: A neck loop connects wirelessly to hearing aids or cochlear implants that are equipped with t-coils. Listeners simply hook the neck loop into their receiver, place the loop around their neck and the t-coil picks up the sound being transmitted.