Audio Induction Loops for the Hearing Impaired




Why can't they use the Audio Induction loop or Assistive Listening Devices at a Catholic
                                   Mass?

Audio Induction Loops/FM systems and Assistive listening devices:  Are great for those who can use them but they are often not strong or reliable enough for those with more severe hearing loss.

Only 1 in 5 adults who can benefit from a hearing aid wear one. Only 1 in 4 deaf adults have a cochlear implant. 25% of hearing aids do not have T coils in them.

ALDs should be provided if it is effective for a person. However, those who most benefit from ALDs are those with mild/ moderate hearing loss, so it is not ‘Universal Access’.

"What does it mean for communication to be “effective”? Simply put, “effective communication” means that whatever is written or spoken must be as clear and understandable to people with disabilities as it is for people who do not have disabilities."

(Source: http://www.ada.gov/pcatoolkit/chap3toolkit.htm)

Examples of Effective communication:   http://www.dartmouth.edu/~accessibility/effcomm/index.html

"Accessible meeting space allows

 everyone to participate." 

(Source: http://www.ada.gov/business/accessiblemtg.htm

How do you make it Inclusive to all those who are deaf and hard of hearing?

"However, in order to serve ALL deaf, hard of hearing, 

the hearing impaired or people with hearing loss 

(whichever terms you choose), all of these accessible 

solutions need to be provided, and the Deaf and 

hearing impaired should always be placed down front 

where they can use their eyes to see to hear and the 

audio amplifiers to be picked up by their assistive 

devices. Captions should be on the wall or a screen for

 those who need to read what is being said." 

 (Source:  http://limpingchicken.com/2014/01/16/deaf-discrimination-to-deaf/)