Category Archives: ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)

Hard-of-Hearing Accommodation in State-funded Capital Projects

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2024 is a Bonding year for the State of Minnesota. This is when organizations, companies or venues can apply for State funding help with capital projects. These are often referred to as infrastructure projects, such as the construction of new buildings or the renovation, replacement and/or refurbishment of existing buildings.

Since 2017, capital projects that involve public gathering spaces where audible communication is an essential part of such spaces, access accommodation for Hard-of-Hearing patrons must be provided.

Therefore, State grant applicants have to be aware of the 2017 mandate 16C.054 ACCOMMODATION FOR HARD-OF-HEARING IN STATE-FUNDED CAPITAL PROJECTS. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/16C.054

This means that everyone involved with the project – from grant applicants to architects, designers, and contractors etc. – must be familiar with the cited acoustics and hearing loop assistive technologies and their compliance criteria. Please review the exact details of this communication access and accommodation mandate.

If acoustics standards and criteria can’t be met or if the installation of hearing (audio) loops is not possible, an Exemption must be sought on either one or both of these requirements. Be familiar with the Exemption application process.

The Minnesota Commission for the Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing (MNCDHH) will review the petition. To avoid delays, be clear about the exact reasons why an exemption should be granted. Propose alternative ways of how the public space will accommodate the hard-of-hearing public in a manner that is at least ADA compatible. Design plans & details as well as site pictures help.

In the end,

Writing a State of Minnesota grant application for funding help with capital building and renovation projects. If audible communication is involved in such spaces, be aware of the above 2017 mandate. Public money draws access accommodation for the hard-of-hearing public.

Creating a Hearing Access Page: Your Help is Needed!

Loop Minnesota Posted on by

Loop Minnesota is in the process of updating its current website lists of hearing loops across the State. However, our Hearing Access page will not only include loops but also locations of other types of Assistive Listening Technology that are offered to accommodate those with hearing problems.

 Finding Hearing Accommodation and How You Can Help

 1) If you Manage a Facility or Business – Does it have Hearing Access? Please let us know.

Got a hearing loop and/or assistive listening technology installed at your business, venue, or place of worship? Great! Now, tell the public about it. Share the information with Loop Minnesota and get on our Hearing Access List.

Hearing access information is hardly ever mentioned on websites or Facebook pages.  However, if people with hearing loss do not know about the existence of the technology, they will not use it.  Also, on site, appropriate signage is crucial.

Questions:

Do you have an Assistive Listening System? Where is it located? 

  • Hearing loop?
  • FM System?
  • IR – InfraRed System?
  • Wi-Fi System?

 

Does it work and is it used?  

  • Is it listed on your website?
  • Is the Hearing Loop listed on Google Maps?

 

Are information signs posted?

Are signs posted to inform people that hearing assistive technology is available? Without signs, people do not know about the Hearing System and will not use it.

Do You have Listening Devices to Access the System?

  • Do you have system-specific listening devices (receivers) and headphones?
  • Are batteries routinely replaced or the receivers charged?
  • Do you have neck-loops for making the FM or IR system compatible with telecoils in hearing aids or cochlear implants, as required by the ADA?

 

2) If you are a person with hearing loss

  •  Do you know of hearing-loss-friendly establishments? Please let us know about the locations in your city or community and about the types of accommodation that are provided.

 

In the end, information is only helpful if it is correct and up-to-date. So, Thank you for your feedback and help.

We look forward to hearing from you. Click this link to contact us.

FDA Taking Public Comments on OTC Hearing Aids

Loop Minnesota Posted on by

FDA Outlines the Proposed Rule for OTC Hearing Aids

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently posted a page in the Federal Register, which outlines the Proposed Rule for Over-the-Counter (OTC) hearing aids. The Public Comment period on these self-fitting, non-prescription devices opened on October 20th 2021 and will end on 18th of January 2022.

The goal of OTC hearing aids is to produce affordable, FDA-regulated devices for those with a perceived mild to moderate hearing loss and who are 18 years of age and older. The buyers are left to diagnose and treat their hearing loss themselves.
Get Ready to Comment

Get ready to comment

The following link leads directly to the Federal Register page. Here, you find instructions for submitting comments. But once those details are reviewed, the easiest way to get to the comment box is to click “Submit a Formal Comment” at the top of the page. To start a comment, always reference Docket No. FDA-2021-N-0555

Federal Register

Those who want to read the “Proposed Rule” as it stands right now only have to page-down in order to find that language. Inconsistent and vague statements prove that public comment is indeed needed. We have one chance to get this right.

Advocacy for telecoils

Among other wishes and questions, this is a prime opportunity for telecoil advocacy. As a matter of equitable access, OTC hearing aids should connect the customer wirelessly to hearing/induction loops for clearer understanding of speech in background sound.

Hearing loop technology meets the “assistive listening system” requirements of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) for those with telecoils in their hearing aids. Loops are quite popular overseas and they are on an upswing in the U.S. Still, many patients are not told about telecoils and hearing loops, even in professional setting.

Asking for telecoils to be installed in OTC hearing aids not only allows for access to communication in looped venues, it will also popularize the loop/telecoil assistive system in a major and permanent way.

And so, for so many reasons now is the time to act.

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For those who want to learn more about ears and hearing loss issues, please see my website hearing-loss-talk.com