Hearing Loop Systems
A hearing loop system provides hearing aid users with these benefits:
- Sound is sent directly to hearing aids reducing the background noise.
- Hearing aids enhance the sound using the individual settings prescribed by the users audiologist.
- This helps hearing aid users to feel fully included in any meeting, event, or interview process.
The Equality Act of 2010 requires service providers to make your service is accessible to people with hearing loss.
Hearing Loop Technology
Telephones used to have small speakers in the handset. This produced a tiny magnetic field that could be picked up by a hearing aid fitted with a telecoil.
On modern digital hearing aids the telecoil is optional, but must be included for use with induction loop systems.
An audio frequency induction loop amplifier uses a loop of wire to create a magnetic field. This magnetic field broadcasts a sound signal to each hearing aid. The signal is not affected by Wifi or Mobile Phones.
The range of induction loops is set by the size of the loop, the bigger the loop required the more powerful the amplifier must be.
Loop efficiency can be increased by having a series of loops rather than a single large loop.
Hearing Loop Installation
The installation of hearing loop systems is covered by IEC 60118-4: 2006, which lays down the British standards.
We have installed induction loop systems in a large number of locations. You do not need to have a sound system with loudspeakers in order to install a hearing loop. A loop just needs a microphone and a hearing loop amplifier.
It is important to use the correct kind of loop cable to form the 'loop'. Every hearing loop system must be correctly installed and calibrated. The cable used must measure the correct resistance and have the correct current capacity.
Loop equipment can be damaged by badly installed loop cable.
Induction loop systems can be designed to use multiple small loops to give better coverage, where this is not possible a single larger loop is laid around the perimeter.
Portable hearing loops are available for meeting rooms and are placed on a desktop.
Calibration and Testing and repair
A hearing loop should be regularly checked to make sure that it is working effectively. This could be as simple as using a portable loop listener to check your loop and keeping your own records.If you would like your existing hearing loop system checked then please ask us to come and test your hearing loop. The process takes 30 to 45 minutes.
We will check that your loop system meets IEC 601118-4 and listen to the audio quality throughout the area to be covered by your system.
We will give you a report detailing our findings and any recommendations we may have for your hearing loop. If necessary we can arrange to repair your system.
Wireless hearing systems
If it is not possible to install a hearing loop, there are wireless alternatives.Wireless assisted hearing systems require personal receivers to be provided for each user.
The receivers either use Infra red or a wireless microphone channel to receive a signal and that can work with hearing aids or headphones.
These systems are more complex and expensive to install .
Our professional hearing loop installation service includes:
- Free site survey
- Hearing loop design
- Hearing loop installation
- Hearing loop Calibration
- Regular maintenance and checking
Reclaiming VAT on Hearing loop systems
If the organisation having the loop system installed is a registered charity, they can complete a VAT exemption declaration.- The equipment must be paid for out of charitable funds.
- VAT Relief only applies to the equipment required solely to provide the hearing loop.
- Associated sound system or AV equipment is subject to VAT.
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