– An open letter to hearing healthcare providers from Hearing Life Magazine March/April edition. Written by Stephen O. Frazier. For the complete article visit: Full Article

Dear Provider,
Hearing loop and telecoil technology has dramatically improved
my ability to hear in places I never dreamed of before. And I’ve also
learned that:

In a recent survey 85 percent of hearing aid users reported that they have and
regularly use telecoils in their hearing aids.

Those with hearing loss are six times more likely to use an assistive listening system
that connects to a telecoil in hearing aids than one requiring earphones and a
receiver.

Bluetooth technology has many great uses but it won’t help me or others hear
in my place of worship, at the theater or in other public places of assembly, but
telecoils, via hearing loops, can.

Hearing loops are becoming the primary assistive listening system in more and
more places of worship throughout the country and in such locations as legislative
chambers, theaters and even in New York City taxicabs.

The latest revisions to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandate that all
new assistive listening systems be hearing aid compatible, and currently telecoils,
paired with neckloops or a room loop, are the only technology that can meet that
requirement.

With that information in mind, please allow me to ask for a
small favor:

If there’s not already a hearing loop installed in your waiting area please consider
installing one so everyone visiting can have an opportunity to experience the
benefit that a hearing loop provides.

Install a counter loop at the reception desk so clients can better hear the staff.

Install a looped TV in fitting rooms to demonstrate how hearing aids with a
telecoil can be adjusted for optimum performance with a loop.
Whatever you do, please consider joining the growing number of hearing care
providers around the country who have started their own Get in the Hearing Loop
campaign. Go to hearingloss.org/content/loop-technology or HearingLoop.org for more information.