Disability Talks

Loop Of America

Carrie Tynan

A fellow chatter shared news of new technology helping hearing impaired individuals. The project is called Loop America being a very curious person looking to learn new ideas I decided to research this new concept.

The Loop refers to an amplifier attach to a wire encircling a room where sounds are broadcasted through hearing aides with Tcoils. People with Tcoils hearing aides have settings that can be switch to help hear in different situations. For example when I use the phone I switch to a setting that allows me to hear on the phone more clearly.

The loop system is used through out the United Kingdom. In fact the United Kingdom Disabilities Discrimination says by the year 2004 any business or organization providing a service to the general public must put in place the Loop system in their establishments. While the American Disabilities act requires businesses and government offices offer Fm headsets. Inviduals can wear the headsets to block out background noise and focus on the intened speakers. People may not choose to use the head set because it brings attention to their disabilities. Also many places have limited number of headsets and are older models.

David Meyers a social psychologist at Hope College in Holland, Michigan who is also hard of hearing. While in Scotland visiting the 800 year old Iona Abby he experience the loop system first handed by switching the tcoil setting on his hearing aide he was amazed of the hearing the musicians and speakers very clearly. After wittensing this new technology he decided to bring it to the United States starting with his hometown of Holland, Michigan. In the year 2002 a company called Premotivation Audio trained by the same company who manufactured the loop system in England. It takes about two weeks to install the systems and train soundboard operators. The cost is 1,100 for a system that covers 5,400 feet square feet plus insulation costs. Many businesses, churches and public services in Holland, Mi have had the Loop system installed with signs posted saying loop system is available. Parts of Hope College have installed the systems along with several Holland residents who have it in their home. Many originations support this new exciting technology like the Michigan Self Help for Hard of Hearing People. Their position is that all public business like airports, theaters, and courts dealing with the general public should be outfitted with this new technology to keep the hard of hearing public informed of what is going on.

After doing all my research I came to several conclusions my self. First of all I am very impressed with this new technology and see it helping many people. I have always struggled in public places with straining to hear and noise confusion. Crowded places like theaters; churches and restaurants can be so difficult to hear in especially focusing on one person who is talking. As a society we need to invesgate and find new ways to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities