Assistive Listening Systems

Did you know that while hearing aids are miracles of technology, and can give you your life back when you thought you would never hear well again, they do not solve all hearing problems? Unlike glasses where you can regain 20/20 vision, once that auditory system has been damaged, it is impossible to get back to 100% hearing again.

But don’t let that discourage you, and definitely don’t let that be an excuse for not wearing your hearing aids, or doing nothing about your hearing loss.

Hearing aids are wonderful! They are life-changing. They can bring people back into the world of normal human interactions. They allow people with hearing loss to stay engaged in both their personal and professional lives.

Hearing aids are most effective when you are about 6’-7’ from the speaker. In a large theater, concert hall, convention center, house of worship or meeting facility, even with good hearing aids and a good PA system, you may struggle to hear and especially to understand the words simply because you are so far away from the sound source. This does not mean that your hearing aids aren’t working. It simply means that you have exceeded their capacity to deliver good sound because of distance.

So, what can be done in those situations when you are too far from the sound source to hear well? You can take advantage of one of the three different assistive listening systems available in many facilities, and actually required by ADA regulations.

The three systems are hearing loops (which I discussed in a March ’24 blog post), FM systems and IR (infrared) systems. In our area, you will find these assistive listening systems in many locations. The Hult Center has an IR system. To access this, you go to the coat check desk and check out their equipment to use during the performance, returning it when you are done. The same applies to FM systems which are available in some area churches and other facilities.  Increasingly, we are seeing a proliferation of hearing loops, which is the preferred system by most people with hearing loss because it does not require you to check out any additional equipment. The Cottage Theater, The Wildish Theater, The Shedd and the Very Little Theater are all equipped with hearing loops. You only need to switch into your telecoil program on your telecoil equipped hearing aids to access the sound. The amazing thing about each of these systems is that they deliver sound directly into your hearing devices, cutting out all background noise. It is as if the speaker is speaking directly to YOU! These systems solve the problem of distance and poor-quality PA systems, giving you crystal clear sound right into your ears.

The Americans With Disabilities Act requires public facilities (churches excluded) to have assistive listening systems, and you are entitled to that amenity, just as physically handicapped- people are entitled to elevators and wheelchair ramps and visually impaired are entitled to braille. It is your right to request assistive listening systems and it is the facility’s responsibility to provide them in good working order. We are very fortunate here in Lane County to have
several of our most beloved institutions aware of their responsibility to provide equal access to
everyone.

The next time you go to an event, check the facility’s website for “accessibility” descriptions. If no information is available, be your own advocate and call them to get complete information. In some cases, you may need to notify them of your need before the event takes place. Taking advantage of assistive listening systems is one of our rights and is an important step in maintaining an engaged life while having hearing loss.