Tag Archives: hearing loss

Senior Living Hearing Assistance? Ask About it!

Loop Minnesota Posted on by

By now, it is well known that Aging tops the list of the many causes of hearing loss. The older people become the more problems they have hearing and understanding speech in background sound. This seriously limits socializing for those who hope to find new friends and connections in Senior Living facilities, their new homes.

Sadly, it is not a given that Senior Living places meet the communication needs of the hard-of-hearing (HOH). This has become apparent during personal visits to such facilities. Also, Loop Minnesota gets requests for information about assistive hearing technology from residents.

Limits to participation and quality of life

At issue: Community & Activity locations often lack appropriate accommodation for those with hearing challenges. People feel excluded from participating in physical, religious and leisure activities. Maybe facilities count on residents having hearing aids. However, hearing aids also have their limits in noise-confused environments.

Hearing loss increases the risks for isolation, depression and even dementia. And so, one would expect Senior Living facilities to advertise Hearing Access technology prominently in ads that cater to older adults, their target population with varying degrees of hearing challenges.

Ask about available Hearing & Listening technology

Unfortunately, most people don’t think to ask about communication access when they choose their future homes. If possible, go for an on-site visit and see for yourself. Besides the marketing agent who is usually the “Tour” guide, ask to speak to the AV (Audio-visual) technician.

What kind of hearing accommodation is available? Who operates and maintains the system(s)? Are staff trained in their use? Do residents know that hearing assistance is available, and do they know how to use it?

Public Address (PA) systems are the most common. It was explained to me that they are easy to handle and have plenty of volume. However, louder is not necessarily better for those with hearing loss. It can actually make things worse.

That said, well-maintained and upgraded loudspeaker – or PA – systems are a good start. They also support the addition of other choices, such as hearing loops and/or neckloops to be used with T-coil-equipped hearing aids, FM (Frequency Modulation – basically a radio system), Infra-Red (IR) and Wi-Fi. These technologies can and will coexist for years to come. In the future, we will add the emerging Low Energy (L.E.) Bluetooth broadcast & receiving technology known as Auracast™ to the list.

And so, we have options and changes are happening even as I write this. However, the important thing is for Senior Living residents to hear now.  

In the end, Bingo and Yoga for all!

Without access to communication, people can’t fully participate.  And so, don’t be taken by surprise. Ask about assistive hearing technology. Be included – not excluded – in your new home. After all, it’s a matter of quality of life!

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Also check out my blogs at https://hearing-loss-talk.com/

 

Facility Upgrades Endanger Existing Hearing Loops

Loop Minnesota Posted on by

Loop Design and Installation

Recently, a meeting room for hard-of-hearing people got an AV upgrade. New ceiling PA microphones were installed together with some other refined audio gear. Afterwards, the hearing loop no longer worked. Hopefully, the workers only forgot to reconnect the loop and did not cut the wires or remove equipment, thereby destroying the system.

Once they have been professionally installed and certified, hearing loops are pretty much maintenance-free. They are tied into the other AV equipment and work on their own, automatically and without fuss. And so, it is easy to forget about them.

Include existing hearing loops on project management checklists!

Project managers must make sure that existing hearing loops are not forgotten and are not harmed during during any renovation jobs. All to often workers and even electrical and AV contractors are not familiar with hearing loop systems and do not recognize the set-ups. This is why hearing loop wires and electronics must be identified for any workers before any refurbishment jobs begin.

Once the work is completed, the testing and verification of proper loop function is a project management responsibility. After extensive updates, the loops might have to be recalibrated in order to continue to meet the requirements of the IEC 60118-4 (International Electrotechnical Commission) loop performance standard. And so, hearing loop concerns during facility upgrades definitely deserve a place on project management checklists!

What can go wrong?

  • Physical damage. Wires hidden under carpeting or floor tiles are often cut during floor renovations. Yet, loop wires can also be installed in other locations, even along ceilings which makes them vulnerable to being pulled or damaged.
  • Hearing loop signage maybe be removed and never replaced. Hard-of-hearing people will not know that the venue has a loop and the loop will not be used.
  • Loop wires are disconnected from their specialized amplifier and the amplifier itself might be removed from the electrical cabinet.
  • Disconnected loops are not reconnected to existing or upgraded AV features.
  • Hearing loop function is not tested at the end of the job. Loops are left inactive, damaged or malfunctioning.
  • Loops are not recalibrated for best function and compliance. As a result of invasive construction, electrical and/or AV work, hearing loops may be out of compliance with required performance standards. Failure to recalibrate will result in substandard loop performance. Project managers must see that this does not happen. Yet another reason to test the loops after any job completion!

For all these reasons, existing hearing loops must be included on the project management checklists during facility upgrades. They cannot be forgotten. They have to be protected from physical damage. At the end of the refurbishment job, loops must be tested. They must be integrated with any previous or upgraded AV features and comply with IEC standards.

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To learn more about hearing loss, also visit my website  https://hearing-loss-talk.com/

 

 

 

Caring About Others Leads to New Hearing Loop

Loop Minnesota Posted on by

Picture by Justin Burwinkel

 

This is not only a story about the installation of a new hearing loop in a Church in Minnesota. It is a story about communication access.  It is a story about empathy and advocacy without having a need oneself. But mostly, it is a story of how caring about others leads to a new Minnesota Hearing Loop.

Not understanding speech-in-noise can be very isolating and life-limiting for those with hearing loss. This is one of the major reasons why people no longer attend book clubs, church services and social club meetings.  As one woman put it:” There is nothing in it for me anymore. I can’t understand a word.” This is why hearing loops are important. So far, this is the only assistive listening technology that helps improve the understanding of speech in background sound.

Hear Clearly at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jordan, Mn

Some weeks ago, the Church became the proud owner of a new hearing loop. It has excellent sound quality and now ALL can hear!  A parishioner saw the need for including people with hearing challenges in the Church community. He suggested the installation of a hearing loop, advocated for it and saw the project through to completion with the help of an equally devoted friend. They deserve double kudos as neither of them has hearing loss. How cool is that – thinking and caring about others and advocating for those who would be excluded!

That said, many thanks also go to those who supported the looping effort and helped fund it. Hearing loops do not install themselves, and they are not free.

And so, the list of hearing loops across Minnesota grows as many people are beginning to appreciate that the time for them to hear clearly in noise is Now – NOT years from now!

In the end, Care about Others! Make venues accessible with hearing loops and help people find those loops! List them on the Access Page of Google Maps. Announce them on Website pages and mention them in any publications, such as Newsletters and Bulletins. Tell the world that you care about communication access and quality-of-life for ALL.

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So, where do you want to hear better? Contact us at Loop Minnesota with any questions or loop suggestions?

May – the Month to Showcase Hearing Loops and Telecoils!

Loop Minnesota Posted on by

Every year, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) dedicates the month of May as Better Hearing and Speech month. The purpose is to raise awareness about communication disorders.

Loop Minnesota wants to broaden the focus of this message as far as Better Hearing is concerned. People with hearing loss struggle to hear and understand speech in background noise. For them, communication and learning are seriously hampered in loud places. While hearing aids and assistive devices can help, they too have their limits.

Better Understanding Speech in Noise Means Better Hearing

To this day, the assistive system of Hearing Loop & Telecoils is the most effective and predictable way for overcoming speech-in-noise challenges. This is why the month of May is also a good time to showcase the technology that enables those with hearing issues communicate a lot more efficiently because they Hear Better in noise.

And so, it makes sense that the discussion about Better Hearing should also focus on Better Understanding of Speech in noisy venues.  For those with telecoils in their hearing aids or cochlear implants, hearing loops manage background noise in venues, such as churches, conference halls and meeting rooms. As counter loops, they make life easier at store check-out counters, information desks, ticket counters, bank teller windows and more.

In the end, let the month of May be a time of advocating for Better Hearing by means of Hearing Loops and Telecoils in public places, no matter what their size.

  •  Ask hearing specialists about Loop Technology and Telecoils (T-coils). Do my hearing aids have telecoils? Are they activated? Why not?
  • Ask venues, businesses, churches, and libraries what kind of access they provide for visitors, customers, and members with hearing loss. Let them know how and why Loops could help.
  • Get involved! Become a member of Loop Minnesota. Learn about hearing loops, and about other access technology choices.
  •  Help spread the word on Hearing Loops and Telecoils in your communities.
  • Let Loop Minnesota know about places with existing loops or access technology so that they can be added to our website list.
  •  Where would you like to hear and understand better? Contact us. We can help.

The world is getting louder by the day. Expecting life to play itself out in quiet, accommodating environments is fast becoming an unrealistic expectation. No matter what time of the year, at Loop Minnesota we aim to help people hear and understand and communicate better. Join us. Be bold!  It’s the Month of May and it’s O.K.

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.

Loop Minnesota a Finalist for ACG MN BOLD AWARDS

Loop Minnesota Posted on by

Picture courtesy ACG MN BOLD AWARDS

Loop Minnesota is proud to be a candidate for the 2023 Minnesota Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) BOLD Award.  We have moved through the application and vetting phases and are now a finalist in the Not-for-Profit category.

According to the ACG website, “BOLD Awards honors and highlights the innovative and inspirational organizations that make Minnesota great. These awards are designed to honor and recognize innovation, inspirational moves, bold visions and leaders that have made bold moves to positively grow, restructure or enhance their companies for the benefit of all stakeholders.”

 BOLD moves for Loop Minnesota are embedded in our mission. We advocate for Equitable Access to Communication for those with hearing loss. ALL people need access to their communities – stores, businesses, banks, libraries, places of worship etc.

Hearing loss is a communication problem. The biggest challenge is understanding speech in background noise. And so, it is quite BOLD for Loop Minnesota to advocate for accommodation technology on behalf of the roughly 20% of Minnesotans with hearing loss.

For now, and into the future, hearing loops are still the best bet for understanding speech clearly in loud venues – large and small. They include rather than exclude people. Participation beats isolation!

 Even if Loop Minnesota is not chosen, only good can come from being nominated for this award. Our BOLD moves and efforts are recognized. The public exposure and increased visibility are priceless.

At the very least, ACG member corporations and businesses will learn about the need to make businesses and venues accessible to people with hearing challenges – an untapped population of potential clients, customers, members, sponsors etc.

The recognition of assistive listening advantages might make Loops for Daily Living – one of our BOLD goals –a dream come true. Hearing Loop signs everywhere – at bank teller windows, ticket counters, information desks, store check-out counters and customer service windows! What a wonderful, accessible world this would be!

Regardless of the outcome, Loop Minnesota will BOLDLY proceed with its mission to ease communication and preserve quality of life for Minnesotans with hearing loss.

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To join us as a member or for more information, Contact Us – Loop Minnesota 

So, Where’s the Loop? Help People Find Your Hearing Loops

Loop Minnesota Posted on by

Hearing Loops Help Everybody

Many businesses and venues have installed assistive listening hearing loops to accommodate those with hearing loss. However, these loops remain all too often unused because people do not know how or where to find them.

Do not make hearing loops a secret. Advertise them on social media and in ads. Tell people where they are. It is not only the right thing to do but it is also a wise business move. Become the hearing-friendly store or venue in your area and beyond. Don’t exclude the roughly 20% of adults with hearing loss. They could become potential clients, members, or sponsors.

There are 4 major issues that work against locating loops:

  • Once installed and certified according to IEC standards, the hearing loop is not reported to sites that list loops, such as Loop Locator, LoopFinder, Google Maps or the local loop advocacy sites, such Loop Minnesota in our State. But remember, these sites can only list what is reported to them. Also, many business and venue owners are unaware that they can list their assistive hearing loops under the “Accessibility” details on Google Maps.

 

  • There is no signage. Either none was ever posted at the looped location, or it might have fallen off. And so, although the loop is present, nobody knows. Check on the signage! See pictures above.

 

  • Lack of promotion. Businesses and venues do not mention listening assistance such as hearing loops on their websites or in their advertising materials.

 

  • Loop assistance is never mentioned to audiences or customers. Remind people before presentations, meetings, or worship services that a hearing loop is in place. Also, tell those who do not have telecoils in their hearing devices – as well as those who simply want to hear better in a large and noisy place – where they can get a loop receiver or listener.

 

If you know of hearing loops that are not advertised, not listed on Google Maps or that do not work properly, inform the business or venue owners. Or, if you do not want to do that, let us know at Loop Minnesota and we will contact them.

In the end…

Loops are meant to be used – not to be ignored or hidden. Be found. Make your hearing loops a standing feature of any promotional materials. After all, this is a matter of equitable access to communication so that all are included and nobody is left out. So, where’s that loop? Tell us. We all want and need to know.

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Join us as a member at loopminnesota.org. Contact us! Help us get Minnesotans in the hearing loop. Together we can do it!

Also, visit my website where I write blogs on all sorts of topics related to hearing and hearing loss  https://hearing-loss-talk.com/

Assistive Listening Technologies – Present and Future – to Coexist

Loop Minnesota Posted on by

 

COVID-19? Need for Hearing Loops & T-coils

We still need it ALL!  This conclusion came out of the discussions at the World Congress of the International Federation of Hard of Hearing People (IFHOH). The World Congress was held in September 2022 in Budapest, Hungary.

Worldwide, the ongoing challenge is to help those with hearing loss understand and communicate better in background sound, especially in larger venues. This is when hearing aids and cochlear implants (CIs) are typically not enough. So far, hearing loops & telecoils are the universal, wireless way of providing clearer sound signals and of connecting many people to one sound source, such as a speaker.

As the search for new technology is on, all eyes and ears turn towards Bluetooth®. The new buzzword of the World of Hearing Loss is Auracast™.

A different kind of Bluetooth

Auracast ™ is based on a totally different Bluetooth version from what we have in our hearing instruments right now. This has led to many misunderstandings. In the future, people with hearing loss need re-designed and re-engineered hearing aids and CIs that are Auracast-compatible.

Auracast™ is a wireless, universal broadcast audio using Low Energy Bluetooth as a means of transmission. Besides other helpful and innovative features, it will allow for broadcasting from one Auracast-capable sound source to many Auracast-compatible receivers. Such receivers will include hearing aids, CIs, earphones etc.

On a smaller scale, our “Auracast-capable” phones, TVs, pads and computers will act like mini radio stations. And so, many people can listen at the same time to the same phone call, music or podcast with their “Auracast-compatible” hearing aids and CIs.

But how about large venues, such as conference halls and places of worship? Must they be fitted with Auracast-broadcast technology? At what cost?  Obviously, it is a gigantic project to make the world Auracast-accessible and there are many unanswered questions.

One thing is for sure: It will take time, patience and money. Also, we might expect a lengthy transition period. Not everybody will be on board at the same time. This is one of the reasons why present technology will continue to serve us well. We still need it all.

Hearing Now! 

Meanwhile, we all need to hear and understand better now. IFHOH recognizes this by stating that “it is important that the globally used and proven systems of Hearing Loops, FM, IR + Telecoils not be dismissed.”

In its “Budapest Declaration,” IFHOH recommends that hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturers continue to integrate telecoils in their products. “Telecoils need to come with clear user instructions and with clear information and training to the hearing health professionals.“  Also, it will be important for future hearing aids and CIs to include both Telecoil and Auracast™ technologies for some time.

In the end…

Yes, change is coming but it will be a while. For clearer sound in loud places, telecoils and hearing loops are still very much needed. And therefore, assistive listening technologies – present and future – will indeed coexist for quite some time.

Reference: Budapest Declaration.pdf (dropbox.com)

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For information on Hearing Loops and Assistive Technologies, contact us on this website.

Also, visit my website where I post blogs on all sorts of issues concerning hearing loss. https://hearing-loss-talk.com/

 

After a Hearing Loop is Installed, Train Staff and Volunteers

Loop Minnesota Posted on by

 

Hearing loops make businesses and venues accessible to customers and visitors with hearing loss who have teleoils in their hearing aids or cochlear implants.

After the successful installation of a hearing loop, the next important step is to train staff and volunteers in the use of the loop. Such training is usually done by the loop installer at the completion of the project but before the loop is put into service. Ask the installer to provide a list of trouble-shooting questions-and-answers, just in case that there might be an issue.

By the way, who will be your on-site company or venue loop expert or guru?

Staff and volunteer training should cover the following items:

  • recognize the loop sign and be able to answer basic questions
  • know the purpose of the loop and how it helps the business & clients
  • have a simple explanation for how the loop works
  • know when the loop is in service – around the clock or only at times? If it is activated on request or as needed, know how to turn it on
  • know how the loop interacts with the PA system and with other audio-visual equipment
  • know about other accessories, such as loop listeners for those who do not have telecoils in their hearing aids. These are used with light headsets. Those items require some maintenance such as battery and ear pad replacements and wiping the units after use.
  • know where these accessories are kept
  • know whom to call if there is a problem with the loop or with the accessories

 

Note: A new loop monitoring sign is now available that indicates whether the loop is on, off or has signal issues. Older loops may not have these. Check with your installer if a retrofit is possible.

In the end…

Loops are only effective if they are correctly designed and installed, if the customers know that they are available and if the staff and volunteers are trained in their use.

For more information, please contact us.

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Note: Any links to websites or mention of products or technology are for information and illustration only. Loop Minnesota does not favor or endorse one brand, manufacturer or distributor over others.

 

Grocery Store Hearing Loops!

Loop Minnesota Posted on by

Contactainc.com: Grocery Outlet, Springfield, OR

Is my dream of Loops for Daily Living becoming a reality? Things are looking up!

Grocery store hearing loops are becoming increasingly popular across the United States. Even a single hearing-loop-enabled check-out counter is a valuable business investment. To customers with hearing loss, it means “Access.” It tells them that they too are recognized and appreciated.

Announce the presence of active, certified loops on your website! Tell Google Maps. Edit your organization/business “Accessibility” attributes to include Assistive Hearing Loop. How to edit or add: https://t.co/cxtvhWqh1E

In Springfield, Oregon, all checkout counters of the Grocery Outlet store now have hearing loops! Thanks to owners Tracy and Tom Hogan, customers can use the telecoils in their hearing aids and cochlear implants to help them understand speech so much better in the background noise of the store.

Checkout counters can be daunting. So many questions! Found everything OK? Do you want your receipt? Cash or credit? Got any coupons? All I usually hear is something like WhoaWhoa.  While trying to guess at body language, I run my credit card through the reader. Did they ask for my email to send me stuff? Very frustrating!

Tracy Hogan shares that she has bilateral hearing loss and so she can relate to the struggle of trying to hear in a sound-confused environment. Listen to her as she explains how the loop works in her store. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI0vhf9HjqA

Then, along the East Coast Wegmans Food Markets, a company with over 100 stores across 7 States also has installed hearing loops  in their stores.

And of course, there are more grocery stores that have also been in the news for making the shopping experience for the hard-of-hearing easier with hearing loops. Check your local store. Encourage the owner/franchisee to consider a checkout loop.

The important thing for us to remember is that hearing loops are not dead, retro or antiquated. On the contrary, their popularity is on the rise. The travel industry is no longer the only major industry that recognizes the importance of communication access with loops.

As hearing loops spread in the communities, are you ready to use them? Do you recognize the blue-and-white sign with the T in the right-hand corner?  Do you have telecoils in your hearing aids? If so, are they activated? Do you know how to use them? There is no time like the present to ask your audiologist/hearing specialist for details.

In the end, hearing loops do not appear miraculously. For loops to happen we have to learn about them, ask for them and advocate for them. That’s what we do at Loop Minnesota. Join us!

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Also visit my website https://hearing-loss-talk.com/ where I post blogs on all sorts of issues concerning hearing loss.