07 Mar Installation of Hearing Loop Systems at Windsor International Airport Pre-Board Areas Posted at 12:36h in
Windsor International Airport (YQG), located in Windsor, Ontario, has served the city and surrounding areas since 1928. Initially a small airfield, it has grown over the years to offer both domestic and international flights. Its strategic location near the Canada-U.S. border makes YQG a key gateway for travelers. The airport is dedicated to modernizing its facilities, focusing on improving passenger experience, safety, and accessibility. Recent upgrades to the Flight Information Display System (FIDS) aimed to enhance both visual information and accessibility for passengers with hearing limitations.
The FIDS upgrade included an integration of a new paging system, fitted for voice-over-text paging, along with deployment of hearing loop systems that would deliver the sound for passengers with Telecoil hearing aids.
Project Overview
Better Hearing Solutions installed four Contacta Supa M300 Counter Loop Systems and three large-area systems using Contacta V22a-Pro drivers to improve accessibility at the boarding gates. The Supa M300 systems were fitted at the check-in counters of WestJet, Porter, Flair, and Air Canada to assist with one-on-one communication. The larger V22a-Pro drivers were installed at three boarding gates, covering the entire seating areas to help passengers hear public announcements.
Installation Process and Challenges
The installation was carefully planned to minimize any disruption to the airport’s daily operations. The flat copper wires for the large-area loop systems at the gates were tucked underneath the carpet, which was being replaced, so they wouldn’t interfere with passenger flow. The drivers received an audio feed connection from the Airport CX system, synchronizing the sound source ensuring smooth integration and clear sound delivery. While the installation process went smoothly, a challenge arose when the magnetic field emitted by the hearing loop systems caused interference due to its proximity to Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) equipment. To resolve this, the team of Better Hearing Solutions worked with CATSA and the security equipment manufacturer to understand the frequency output, eliminating the interference and allowing the project to be completed successfully.
Response and Impact
“We are better able to a mange the information content we share with passengers.” state Rosanna Pellerito, Director of Corporate Services/CFO Canda. Feedback from both staff and passengers has been overwhelmingly positive. The sound quality has significantly improved, and the FIDS now provides more accurate, real-time data. These improvements have made the airport experience more accessible and efficient for all passengers.