Contacta offers a range of assistive listening technology to suit every unique application. It is important that the correct technology is selected to meet the user’s need. Factors include the number of users, size of the space, construction of the space, if users will be standing or seated and confidentiality are a few examples.
Contacta’s system engineers are ready to specify a system that will work best for you so that you achieve the highest quality result.
Hearing Loops
In the assistive listening realm, hearing loops are seen as the user’s preferred technology. They allow an unlimited amount of user’s, you get the same sound quality if you are sitting in the first row versus the last row, no hardware syncing is necessary and users use their own hearing device rather than having to check out a venue’s receiver.
There are three main components to hearing loops. Loop wire, which is installed in the floor or ceiling. The loop wire is connected to a Hearing Loop Amplifier and these two combined create an electromagnetic field where the sound input flows. Sound input is most commonly in the form a microphone, either speech or music.
To access the loop signal a user activates the “T” mode or telecoil mode in their personal hearing device. Once in the looped area, the sound input flows into their hearing device bringing the sound directly into their ear. Delivering sound right into the user’s ear drastically eliminates background noise and increases sound clarity.
The system is easy to use and universal worldwide. There are two types of hearing loop systems, large area and one to one.
One to One Hearing Loops
One-to-one hearing loops systems allow for customers and staff to clearly communicate. Often service points in our communities can have high ambient or background noise making it difficult for a hard of hearing person to hear the staff. Being able to clearly hear a staff is critical in places such as a pharmacy, bank counter and other service counters.
One-to-one hearing loops feature a hearing loop amplifier, a hearing loop directed towards the customer and a staff microphone. They can be installed anywhere face-to-face communication takes place, such as the following:
Large Area Loops
Large Area Hearing loops have an unlimited number of users and are often installed in classrooms, theaters, sports stadiums, airports, places of worship and in public transit. In venues where two or more people are going to gather, a hearing loop is installed so that all seating is “in the loop”. This allows the customer/user to sit freely in any seat without discrimination.
To know exactly which venues are looped in your community, Google maps now lists hearing loops under the Accessibility feature. You can look for hearing loops in the following venues:
Integrated Hearing Loops
Contacta’s integrated hearing loops allow businesses to incorporate a hearing loop in their existing equipment, providing users clear communication. This can be critical in instances where important safety messages are being relayed or if it’s located in a high ambient noise space making hearing difficult.
Our integrated loops can be found in:
Infrared (IR)
Infrared Systems use transmitters to flood a space with light waves. The light waves carry the sound/audio signal and are received by the user through a compatible IR Receiver.
Infrared (IR) systems are ideal in venues where confidentiality is needed. The IR signal can’t travel through windows, walls or doors making it a good solution where overspill is a concern. IR is also a favorable option when users travel from room to room with different sound sources, such as a museum exhibit.
Radio Frequency (RF)
Radio Frequency (RF) systems use transmitters to wirelessly transmit the sound/audio signal through radio waves. The signal is received by the user through a compatible RF Receiver and pair of headphones. If the user has a hearing device, a neck loop can be worn around the neck in place of the headphones.
RF Systems use internationally compatible frequencies and can support 40 selectable channel groups. This allows for a wide array of applications such as multi-language interpretation.
RF Systems can be used in:
Window Intercom Systems
Window intercom systems offer effective communication in situations where regular speech is hindered by barriers like glass or security screens. Many of our standard kits include a hearing loop that enhances communication for individuals using hearing devices.
Window Intercom System kits provide a microphone and speaker for both the staff and customer to transmit speech from one side of the glass to the other. The clarity provided from the system alleviates miscommunication and need for raised voices.
In response to COVID, Contacta launched a new entry level range that has a sleek design to fit an array of settings as well as a cost-conscious solution.
Our standard kits are made in a robust metal housing, operate hands-free making them hygienic, and come with a hearing loop for the customer.
Our latest kits the STS-K009-IP and STS-K080-IP provide IP54 and IP55 rating making them suitable for applications where the customer side of the glass is outdoors.
Window Intercom Systems can be installed in places such as:
Other Assistive Listening Technology on the Horizon
Other assistive technologies are being developed, such as Bluetooth, but they are several years away from being released to the market. If you are looking to offer an assistive listening option to your customers/patrons it is best to select a readily available option rather than waiting for a technology that has not been fully developed yet.
The International hearing Loop Manufacturers Association (IHLMA) has a complete guide to assistive listening technologies, available to download from its website or by clicking here.