What do loop systems cost?

Hearing assistance. For the hard of hearing, X Church offers a loop system. Hearing aid wearers with a “T” (telecoil) setting can now hear the service broadcast directly through their hearing aids. Others desiring hearing assistance may check out a portable receiver and headset. For more information about loop systems, including home TV room applications, visit www.hearingloop.org.

Sample newsletter article about the loop system:

X Church Offers New Hearing Assistance System

Hard of hearing people can dream of a future when hearing aids might also serve as personalized, wireless loudspeakers. At X Church, that future is now.

Thanks to our newly installed “induction loop system”—a special amplifier that transmits a magnetic signal through a wire that encircles our sanctuary—hearing aids with telecoils (a “T” switch) can now serve as in-the-ear loudspeakers. Unlike other assistive listening systems that require a headset, a loop system is inconspicuous. It delivers sound customized by one’s own hearing aid. And it requires no checkout and return of portable receivers. Given a choice between a) having to check out, wear, and return a headset, and b) receiving convenient, personalized sound directly through one’s hearing aids, most hard of hearing people understandably prefer the latter.

That is why most most churches in Britain and Scandinavia (though as yet few in the USA) are now looped. In these countries, unlike the USA, many people with hearing loss therefore benefit from hearing assistance.

With most American telephones now capable of broadcasting improved sound via hearing aid telecoils, the time seems ripe for looping American churches as well. As our hard of hearing parishioners purchase new hearing aids over the next few years, most will purchase telecoils (which are available at a nominal cost with all but the tiniest of aids). This means that our loop system will serve a gradually increasing number of people (much as the first television stations served a steadily increasing audience after giving people a reason to purchase televisions). In the meantime, others needing hearing assistance may check out a portable receiver and headset, which comes with all hearing assistance systems, including loop systems.

Loop systems work in venues ranging from cathedrals and arenas to home family rooms. Would you like your TV to likewise broadcast personalized sound through your in-the-ear loudspeakers (leaving other family members to choose their own volume from the TV speakers)? This is easily and affordably possible with a small home loop system. For more information about the technology and its institutional and home applications, visit www.hearingloop.org.

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