Category Archives: Minnesota

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

Loop Minnesota Posted on by

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.

Telecoils and Hearing Loops Education PSA

Loop Minnesota Posted on by

With heartfelt gratitude! 

On behalf of Minnesotans with hearing loss, Loop Minnesota thanks the Minnesota Commission for the Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing (MNCDHH), the Minnesota Broadcasters Association as well as all of the stations who donate valuable airtime for making this Telecoils and Hearing Loops PSA possible.

Thank you for helping raise awareness on this important technology, which can greatly ease the understanding of speech in loud places. The following 30 seconds might change lives – for better hearing and maybe for embarking on a mission of telecoils and hearing loops advocacy.

So, what does listening through telecoils and hearing loops sound like? Try this sound demonstration taken in a New York Subway station, which is a very difficult sound environment.  For now, the only way to understand speech-in-noise more clearly is by means of telecoils and hearing loops.

Pretty amazing! I remember the first time that I listened through a loop by means of my hearing aid telecoil. No more straining to understand. The Loop Minnesota website has a list if loops in and around Minnesota. Would it not be wonderful to grow that list?

In the end, it is up to those with hearing loss to determine what they want and what helps them.  Again, thank you to all who make it possible for people to learn about this technology with a much-needed Telecoils and Hearing Loops PSA.

2022 – The Year for Hearing Loops & Telecoils in Minnesota

Loop Minnesota Posted on by

It is all about “equitable” access

Hearing Loops & Telecoils in Minnesota
Equitable access means that those who need extra accommodation get the help they need. Equal access, or what everybody else gets is often not enough.

For equitable access to communication, those who are hard-of-hearing need boosted sound signals and reduction of background noise in order to hear and understand clearly in noisy venues and businesses. PA (Public Address) systems, 2-way microphone intercoms and even hearing aids are not enough.

Fortunately, the type of technology that facilitates inclusion of the hearing-challenged in lecture rooms, museums, places of worship, convention halls and even at information desks and teller windows exists.

Assistive listening systems made of hearing loops and telecoils can deliver sound clarity beyond one’s wildest dreams. Telecoils, or T-coils are wireless antennas that are installed by the manufacturers in many hearing aids and cochlear implants. They access professionally installed hearing, or induction loops.

Unfortunately, many who could benefit from this technology are not aware of it. Even among hearing specialists there is often bias against it. Do you know if your hearing aids have telecoils? Luckily,  in spite of it all, hearing loops are now in higher demand than ever – in the United States and worldwide.

Back to the old ways? Time for change!

Once COVID simmers down, in-person meetings will be back. Where will that leave Minnesotans with hearing loss? Back to the old struggle of deciphering speech in noise? Back to isolation and depression over feeling excluded?

2022  –  the year of inclusion and equitable access

And so, the time for equitable access to communication for those with hearing loss has arrived. Become involved.

Join Loop Minnesota and let 2022 be the year of hearing loops and telecoils. Let it be the year when Minnesotans learn a lot more about this technology and how it can help communication. Be an advocate for equitable access for yourself and for others. It takes all of us to make a difference because, oh my, there is so much to do in 2022!

Happy Holidays and the Best of Hearing ever in the New Year!!

*****

To learn more about all sorts of topics on ears and hearing, visit my website at hearing-loss-talk.com