A hearing loop significantly enhances the functionality of hearing aids

Even with the most up-to-date technology, hearing aids cannot completely separate important sounds from background noises; nor do they pick up all sounds from a distance such as those in a performance hall, a place of worship or a home TV viewed from across the room. In such, often difficult listening settings, induction hearing loops can offer a solution. A hearing loop is a wire connected to an electronic sound source that transmits that sound to the telecoil in a hearing aid. A loop can discreetly surround a room, a chair or even be worn around the neck. It can be connected to a public address system, a living room TV, radio or a computer.

A hearing aid with a T-coil or telecoil is needed to receive the signals from a hearing loop

The telecoil, also called T-coil, receives the signal from the loop and turns it back into sound in the hearing aid. This process eliminates much of the background noise. The listener hears only pure sound that is desired whether it is speech from a pulpit, a podium or a TV.

Hearing loops double hearing aid functionality

Given a hearing loop, the hearing aid with a T-coil does double duty: It serves as a customized, wireless loud-speaker in the ear.



Where are hearing loops used?

Hearing loops are helpful in a variety of places. Some are used for extended time, and others are beneficial while a person is in transit.

Examples of extended time use include:

  • Theaters and performing arts centers
  • Places of Worship
  • Board rooms and large meeting rooms
  • High school and college auditoriums
  • Government chambers
  • Court rooms or City Council rooms
  • Banquet or sports facilities
  • Fellowship Halls

Examples of transient use include:

  • Ticket counters and information booths
  • Doctors’ offices and pharmacy counters
  • Drive thru and pick up windows
  • Elevators, trains and buses
  • Museum exhibits

A few common devices that can be used with a neck or small room loop:

  • Television or computer
  • Telephone (landline or cell phone)
  • iPod or spoken book CD player


Hearing Loops can be installed in almost any church, room or facility. Become an advocate for new non-profit organization, Hudson Valley Hearing Loop. To learn more ask us or visit HearingLoop.org.

Loops in Rockland County

  • Temple Beth Torah
  • Presbyterian Church on Germonds Road
  • Fountain View Assisted Living

 

Hearing Loops in NYC

New York has a number of signature hearing loop installations, led by America’s biggest hearing loop project: the New York Transit Authority’s installation, now underway, of loops at 488 subway booths.

Following a successful 18-month pilot program, the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission approved the voluntary installation of hearing loops in New York taxis.

Temple Emanu-El, “the largest congregation of Jewish worshipers in the world . . . is proud to provide an induction loop system.”

Other New York City loop systems include:

  • The New York Botanical Garden tram ride
  • Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Celeste Bartos Theater
  • Mets’ Citi Field ticket windows
  • Yankee Stadium ticket windows
  • The American Museum of Natural History
  • The Metropolitan Museum of Art information kiosks

  • The New York Historical Society
  • The Tenament Museum
  • El Museo del Barrio
  • The Soho Apple Store tutorial and customer service points
  • Marble Collegiate Church
  • Ellis Island
  • The Statue of Liberty


Find a hearing loop near you!