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�Hear Well�when � �

How to get support from your audiologist
Facilities that benefit most from Loops
The 3 Simple things that have fostered loops
Help facilities raise awareness and get PR for the hearing loops already installed
Cultivate YOUR (hearing loop) story

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Juliëtte Sterkens, AuD

Logopediste - Hoensbroek , the Netherlands (1979)
MS in Audiology - U of Wisconsin at Oshkosh (1983)
AuD – Arizona School of Health Sciences (2006)
Employed in a private practice in 1983 - as owner from 1988 until 2012
On “encore” career as HLAA’s Hearing Loop Advocate to help�make America more accessible for people with hearing loss

Disclosures�Consultant to the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA)��I receive a consulting fee, thanks to grant funding �from the David and Carol Myers Foundation

My email: jsterkens@hearingloss.org

�

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Key points from previous presentations regarding hearing aids and CIs

�

They not restore hearing to normal
Their effective range is limited (3-6 feet)
Individuals’ ability to benefit, varies widely
In large public places they make all sounds louder, & provide limited benefit in background of noise

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Why the limited hearing range? Microphone limitations

Think Home Videos or iPhone recordings

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Ask communication partner to speak louder
Physically move closer
Use a wireless Remote Mic or Roger pen
In these COVID & Masks times:�Try using a directional mic on your smartphone

�

Or use a speech-to-text (transcription) app�Such as Otter, Live Transcribe or AVA ��https://connect-hear.com/knowledge-base/

How can you overcome HA/CI limitations?

(Provided the hearing instruments are appropriately fit and verified)

Private situations

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Ask communication partner to speak louder
Physically move closer
Use a wireless Remote Mic or Roger pen
In these COVID & Masks times:�Try a simple card

How can you overcome HA/CI limitations?

(Provided the hearing instruments are appropriately fit and verified)

Private situations

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Ask communication partner to speak louder
Physically move closer
Use a wireless remote mic (or FM system)
COVID & Masks �

In situations where there is distance, noise and reverberation involved: �telecoils and ADA mandated Assistive Listening Systems to the rescue

WHAT IS THE ADA? �

How can you overcome HA/CI limitations?

(Provided the hearing instruments are appropriately fit and verified)

Private situations

PUBLIC situations are (usually) best helped with an Assistive Listening System

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��The original ADA law (1990)�& the updated ADA Standards (2010) �are written to the benefit of HA/CI users�and…neckloops are mandated �for 25% of listening devices

Yet…many hearing aid users never learn �about the ADA & Telecoil benefits� �

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Using an ADA mandated ALS is easier with a telecoil

ONLY telecoils can link to a variety of assistive technology – �in public venues where the ADA requires the installation of Assistive Listening Systems�
Where are these systems, according to the law, to be installed? �

“…where audible communication � is integral to use of the space”�

In what spaces are ALS to be installed? ��classrooms, courtrooms, public meeting rooms, auditoriums, theaters, �stadiums, convention centers, churches and more�
Where? ��Where PA systems are in use

��The original ADA law (1990)�& the updated ADA Standards (2010) �are written to the benefit of HA/CI users�and…neckloops are mandated �for 25% of listening devices

Yet…many hearing aid users never learn �about the ADA & Telecoil benefits� �

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FM/RF systems
Infra red systems�Requires users to self identify & pick up a receiver prior to the lecture/service/show ��The ADA requires 25% of the FM & IR receivers are neckloop equipped�
Hearing loops – allow users to use own programmed hearing aid as the receiver�Are user preferred�

Aka: Audio Frequency Induction Loop Systems (AFILS), �Induction Loops or Loops (for short)

�Incorrect terms: T Loop or Teleloop or Telecoil Loop

The ADA recognizes 3 Types of Wireless Large Area �Assistive Listening Systems (ALS)

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http://www.audiologyonline.com/Articles/article_detail.asp?article_id=561

Assistive Listening Systems are like having an extra set of ears.”

. . . that you can move across the room and place right next to the talker’s mouth.

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How to know what kind of Assistive �Listening System or ALS is offered?

In places with FM or IR systems�EVERYONE must use ask for a receiver – either with earphones or a neckloop

In hearing loops: �Users of CIs or hearing aids�with T-coils need only �activate the telecoil

�The HA or CI is the receiver

No hearing aid or telecoils? �Ask for a loop listener

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Why not use Bluetooth technology �or Audio over WiFi? ��The transition to universal digital “HearStream*” �(direct-to-hearing-aid) technology�is expected to take 10-15⁺ years

(Retrieved: �https://ihlma.org/wp-content/uploads/�2019/08/IHAC_Hearing-Loops-and-Telecoils�-statement-June19.pdf

* Wireless Interface for Hearing Instruments

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Sound

(Voice from speaker)

Microphone

Hearing�Loop Amplifier

Loop

wire

T-coil in Hearing Device

The preferred �hearing assistive technology

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Sound

(Voice from speaker)

Microphone

T-coil in Hearing Device

In a loop, pure clear sound is broadcast to the telecoils inside hearing aids

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Why are hearing loops music to users’ ears?

Sound

(Voice from speaker)

Microphone

T-coil in Hearing Device

Signal-to-Noise �Improvement

of 10-25 dB

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Poll

1. Do you use loops at local venues and if so for how long have you used them before Covid-19 arrived?

( ) No

( ) Yes I used my t-coil for access for loops at venues for over 2 years before Covid-19 hit.

( ) Yes I used my t-coil for access for loops at venues for less than 2 years before Covid-19 hit.

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Hearing Loops

CONSUMER PREFERRED – easy to understand why…
CLEAR sound is streamed to individual’s hearing aid; all users need do is manually activate the telecoil program inside their hearing aids
Universal system – same IEC Loop Standard is used all over the world, as long as users have access to a telecoil
Can also be used by non-hearing aid owners – by way of a loop listener, �or an iPhone and LoopBuds
So…Why aren’t there more loops? Unfortunately, this is a multifaceted problem involving installers, venues (they do not understand), consumers, and…
the providers & HA industry … (next slide)

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Hearing Loops require the support�of Hearing Care Providers & Industry

Industry wants consumers to believe that technology �can overcome typical hearing limitations
Encouraging news… more hearing aids with telecoils are being introduced
Studies underway to evaluate benefits of portable hearing loops �is activate the telecoil program inside the hearing aid.
So, what can we do about this???

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Outreach to Providers

Make it a point to take information to every audiologist appt

Poll

Would you feel comfortable bringing hearing loop materials at your next hearing care appointment?

( ) Yes - - Please note the name(s) of your provider or hearing clinic below.

( ) No

If you answered Yes! To sharing hearing loop materials with your hearing care provider, �please provide the provider or clinic name and city where the clinic is located

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

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Get the attention of your provider�KIS: Bring up only 2 or 3 talking points

Bring links or a list of local venues with loops https://completehearingsolutions.org/hearing-looped-locations/ �& Time2LoopAmerica.com
Explain what will soon be happening with Google Maps
This is where your story is IMPORTANT – and ASK!
Bring handouts of your chapter meetings – & bring a �ready-to-hang poster (email Julie Olsen from Fox Valley HLAA chapter)

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Get the attention of your provider�(Bring 1-2 handouts each time)

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Three things�that have fostered �hearing loops,�as well as greater awareness

Earmarked donations- if you support a House of Worship, �non-profit venue that could benefit from a loop – EARMARK donations
Speaking up – and use of advocacy cards –
Public praise: It could be a “Thank You” to the provider, �a Letters to the editor -

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Poll

Do you know of a venue in your community that you attend or support, where you would benefit from a loop if they installed one? �It might be a house of worship, theatre, meeting place or another place you frequent such as retailer or hearing care provider.

( ) Yes - - Please note the name(s) of the venue below.

( ) No

If you answered Yes! Please provide your email address in case we have any questions about it

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What are some of the best places for hearing loops? ��How to raise awareness & get PR�for loops already installed?

Houses of Worship-
Best done via parish members – providers can help steer here...
Hearing loops in Houses of Worship help “fuel” installations elsewhere
Why not invite minsters to your looped chapter meetings to try �the technology out? (Once in-person meetings start up again)
Bulletin inserts can educate many on one day
Encourage use of the hearing loop logo in the bulletin & �“Hearing Loop Installed switch hearing aid to T-coil” notification
Campaign to ensure HoW list loops on their website, in the bulletin, �announce loops during Holy Days, weddings and funeral services,�and offer signage in the sanctuary
Better yet: a hearing loop dedication – invite your audiologist

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What are some of the best places for hearing loops? ��How to raise awareness & get PR�for loops already installed?

Houses of Worship-
Library Meeting rooms – signage, handout in rooms, info on the website
LSTA Grant funding can help fund loops in library meeting rooms and/or information desks. � Wisconsin benefited nearly 5 years from this kind of funding.
Reach out to FL Library Association – I am happy to do a lecture if you make the contact

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Libraries

Many libraries are open to lectures�or workshops by HLAA members or�hearing care professionals

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What are some of the best places for hearing loops? ��How to raise awareness & get PR�for loops already installed?

Houses of Worship-
Library Meeting rooms
Senior Centers & Retirement communities

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All venues with a hearing loop benefit from �a News Release

A few pointers:

The first paragraph should answer the "who," "what," "why," and "where"
The press release should contain understandable language and a quote
Reach out to local journalists
Don't be afraid to go offline – �an “old fashioned” stamped envelop� may just get results you’re hoping for

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Theaters

A few pointers:

A variety of educational materials exist
Insist use of loop logo on Playbills
Announcement idea: �“Please turn off your cellphone. �Now is the time for hearing aid users to turn on �their telecoil to use the Hearing Loop”
Offer Richard Einhorn’s “Sound Mixing for People �with Hearing Loss”
Most theaters have a dedicated marketing person�in charge of PR – offer your help
Offer to give the loop a listen during dress rehearsals
Tweet, post on FB – every time you have a good experience

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Theaters��Share the �Ticket Insert��

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Last Poll

Do you have a venue in your community that you attend or support, �where would you benefit from a loop if they installed one? �It might be a house of worship, theatre, meeting place or another place�you frequent such as retailer or hearing care provider.

( ) Yes - - Please note the name(s) of the venue below.

( ) No

If you answered Yes to having a venue that your attend that needs a loop, �please provide your email address in case we have any questions about it

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

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Something that anyone can do… Use Your Pen! ☺

Praise the provider, venue or organization for improving hearing access & installing a hearing loop
Keep it short
When published: �Take a photo & post on twitter (include @GITHL1)�Post on FB @GetInTheHearingLoop
Need help writing an advocacy letter? �Contact GITHLinfo@hearingloss.org
PLEASE - SPEAK UP! �Together we can change how hearing access is done!

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Stuck? Can’t find the right information? �Need help advocating?� �Email me: �Jsterkens@hearingloss.org

Here is my perspective…having travelled over 50,000 miles in the last couple of years, more than 30,000 by car in the last year alone as the HLAA Hearing loop advocate, and having presented nearly 100 times to AuDs, Consumers, AV engineers, Clergy, social workers, physicians I have come to realize that the general population does not understand hearing loss:

a lot of the hearing aid users out there don’t understand why they can’t hear, and I have also learned that a surprisingly number of audiologists and hearing care providers really don’t understand why their clients don’t hear, from their perspective these “wonderful” new hearing aids should take care of it…so if auds and consumers don’t get – their partners, spouses, family members, friends, social workers, care takers, clergy, doctors, educators – you name it will certainly not either But once they understand what hearing loss is really all about, once they understand what hearing aids can and cannot do and how a hearing loop can help – they understand why loops are so effective – the light bulb goes on. Once AuDs are exposed to consumers talking about loops and their “hearing loop moment” they start to see the world in a different light… Once they understand hearing loss and the limitations of hearing aids – they too begin to understand why hearing access is needed.