A presentation adapted from a Powerpoint by Juliëtte Sterkens, AuD Audiologist, HLAA National Hearing Loop Advocate

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Jeremy Craig
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1 Hearing Loops in Rock County Public Libraries A presentation adapted from a Powerpoint by Juliëtte Sterkens, AuD Audiologist, HLAA National Hearing Loop Advocate

Introduction This is a project of the Arrowhead Library System

A grant for this project was awarded by the Library Services and

Public Instruction by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library

2 Introduction This is a project of the Arrowhead Library System (ALS) and the Rock County Public Libraries. A grant for this project was awarded by the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds, through the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services Project. Partners include ADRC of Rock County and Wisconsin School for the Deaf.

3 HEARING LOOP We will pass around a portable hearing loop receiver after the program so you can experience the technology.

4 Show of Hands:

5 Hearing Loss statistics There are 48 million Americans with measurable hearing loss (Frank Lin, MD, PhD 2011) Only 1 out of 5 people who could benefit from wearing hearing aids actually wears them Hearing loss affects all age groups 65% of people with hearing loss < age 65 17% of school age children have a measurable hearing loss. 2-3 out of 1000 babies born with profound loss

What causes hearing loss? Cause of Hearing Loss Percent Due to Cause At birth... 4.4% Ear infection... 12.2% Ear injury... 4.9% Loud brief noise... 10.

6 What causes hearing loss? Cause of Hearing Loss Percent Due to Cause At birth % Ear infection % Ear injury % Loud brief noise % Other noise % Getting older % Other % Source: Nat l. Center for health statistics, data from the National Health Interview Survey Series 10, #188, 1994

7 What happens when we lose our hearing?

8 If hearing loss affected low pitch hearing (This is how you would hear ) I l.v. t. gr.w t.l.ps.n m. g.rd.n I love to grow tulips in my garden

9 But most of us lose high pitch hearing (and this is how one would hear) O. a.ue..ay.e.a..er.o.e..e..o.ea...o.e a.ou..ea.i...oo..! On a Tuesday we gather together to learn more about hearing loops!

10 Distance affects hearing too: Every time the distance from the sound source is doubled, the sound pressure levels (strength) decrease by 6 db.

12 And as we age Our ability to handle background noise decreases

13 How age affects understanding in noise Young-Normal Older-Normal Older w/ loss Tolerable Signal to Noise Ratio

14 Don t hearing aids help? Hearing aids are very useful in quieter situations (offices and homes) For many they are OK in small groups Most effective range <6-8 Individual ability varies widely

15 Yet most Public places do not have optimum acoustics due to: Reverberation Distance & Time delays Background Noise This makes hearing difficult, even for normal hearing persons For this reason: ADA mandates assistive hearing assistance for public places

16 How do hearing loops work? Microphone to pick up sound Loop Amplifier Wire (in shape of loop) Hearing Aid with T-coil 9/30/2014 Juliette Sterkens, AuD Audiologist

17 Why do hearing aid users love loops? Sound (Voice from speaker) Microphone Hearing Loop Amplifier Loop wire T-coil in Hearing Device

18 Hearing Loop diagram Sound (Voice from speaker) Microphone T-coil in Hearing Device This speaker s Mic Becomes the HA Mic

19 What are the benefits of hearing loops to consumers?

20 On a scale from 1 to 10 rate your ability to hear in the venue using hearing devices only (no telecoil)? 1 = "I heard nothing" 10 = "I heard every word Heard nothing Heard every word 10 n=786 Only 14% of respondents indicated their listening experience was an 8, 9 or

21 On a scale of 1 to 10, rate your ability to hear in the venue using the Telecoil in the Loop? 1 = "I heard nothing" 10 = "I heard every word Heard nothing Heard every word 10 n=786 Over 85% of respondents indicated their listening experience in the loop equaled an 8, 9 or /30/2014

22 Hearing Loops Broadcast sound in form of magnetic waves wirelessly to hearing aids Requirement: Hearing aids with T-coils No need to pick up a separate device Universal Worldwide system

23 Hearing loops increase Hearing Aid User Satisfaction I now have three rooms in my home that are equipped with loop systems and it is very gratifying to hear and understand the news, sportscasts and movies once again.

24 Hearing Loops Decrease Isolation I used to clap when others clapped. I used to laugh when others laughed though I usually didn't hear what it was about. Now I hear every word in church.

25 Hearing Loops engage People with hearing loss Dear Juliette, I wore my hearing aid for the Easter Service and to my surprise I heard every word the minister said. It sure made a difference to hear him instead of just sitting there wondering what he said.

26 Hearing loops improve Listener retention improves the quality of what you hear, what you retain and the amount of energy you expend to hear. I didn t have to be in the first or second row to hear. I could experience what a normal hearing person could experience. Rosemary Smith, PhD

27 Hearing loops make Spouses happy The TV hearing loop has made such a difference for my husband. Now when I miss a word or sentence in a show, I ask him what was said and he usually always hears what I missed. Great difference for me, too, volume is normal again!

28 What is needed to hear in a loop?

29 How do you know if a patron has a telecoil on his/her hearing aid? Ask if their instrument has a button Ask if they have been told to push a button when answering a phone call? Some instruments have the telecoil but this feature was not activated by the HHP Even very small instruments now come with telecoils!

30 How to recognize telecoils?

33 Universal signage for hearing loops T= T-coil (Telecoil)

34 Find Hearing Loops here Grand Rapids Airport

35 And here US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, WASH DC

36 And in Scotland

37 The largest loop installation in WI - 2,200 seats Fox Cities Performing Arts Center

38 To be effective loops need to meet The IEC Standard Even frequency response Hz Uniform magnetic signal strength across the listening field Acceptable level of electromagnetic interference International Standard (IEC ) International Electrotechnical Commission

39 What kind of hearing loops exist? Large area (room) loop (permanent) Desk or Info loop (some permanent some not) Neckloop (personal small loop) connected to a personal amplifier, mobile phone, or other assistive listening device (aka an ALD ) (Let s the user move around but are more of a maintenance hassle for the venue)

40 Conference room loops User can turn off microphone on hearing aids to eliminate background noise (T only) or keep hearing aids on M+T Users need good input signal GIGO applies insist on Mic use when holding public meetings (a pet peeve of mine ) Signage is very important Use a loop listener periodically to test Note: ALS is applying for a grant to provide conference room hearing loops at 3 libraries.

Desk or Information loops User can turn off microphone on hearing aids to eliminate background noise User may need to find the hotspot User needs good input

41 Desk or Information loops User can turn off microphone on hearing aids to eliminate background noise User may need to find the hotspot User needs good input signal think GIGO How to ensure a good signal? Use the Mic!! Train all staff with a loop listener Invite patrons to experience the loop Offer brochures/handouts on loops

42 Hearing Loops in Libraries Hedberg Public Library Circulation Desk

43 Hearing Loops in Libraries Hedberg Public Library Reference Desk

44 Hearing Loops in Libraries Eager Free Public Library Information Desk

45 Desk Loops

47 Testimonial from an info loop user I didn't even know the loop was on, until I started really listening to the difference when I neared the desk and when I walked away! The sound was curiously clearer, even from a few feet away! I almost felt like a super spy, haha!

48 What places can benefit? Large (school) auditoriums Retirement community gathering spaces Places where people gather & use a PA (Places of Worship) Tour buses Hospital & Clinic Check-in or Info desks, Pharmacy Counters Museums, Theaters, Retreat Centers etc. etc. etc (please spread the word)

50 Cost discussion In the home: $250-$400 installed Point of Service Loops: $400-$700 installed Church/meeting room with basement access: $2500 to $5,000 (requires a site visit) Facility with lot of metal (like many libraries) or a church built on a concrete slab $ $8000 & up (requires a site visit)

51 Informational Brochure (ALS)

Books and Periodicals on Hearing Loss Hearing Loss HLAA Magazine (bi-monthly) Fact Sheet from Hearing Loss Association of America: 1. Do you think you have a hearing loss? 2.

52 Books and Periodicals on Hearing Loss Hearing Loss HLAA Magazine (bi-monthly) Fact Sheet from Hearing Loss Association of America: 1. Do you think you have a hearing loss? 2. Purchasing a hearing aid A consumer checklist Books Shouting won t Help Katherine Bouton A Quiet World: Living with Hearing Loss David Myers Keys to successfully living with your hearing loss Neil Bauman ALS hearing loop Brochure

Information on the web Arrowhead Library System Hearing Loop brochure: http://als.lib.wi.us/hearingloopsbrochure.pdf How to purchase a hearing loop for your facility: loopwisconsin.

53 Information on the web Arrowhead Library System Hearing Loop brochure: How to purchase a hearing loop for your facility: loopwisconsin.com/pdffiles/looppurchase.pdf Where to find hearing loop installations? aldlocator.com or loopwisconsin.com Useful websites on hearing loss hearingloss.org soundstrategy.com betterhearing.org hearingloop.org loopwisconsin.com hearinglosshelp.com

54 Supporters Project funding This project is supported in part by Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds, awarded to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services Project. Grant for meeting rooms submitted.

Carol De Filippo. Viet Nam Teacher Education Institute June 2010

Carol De Filippo. Viet Nam Teacher Education Institute June 2010 Carol De Filippo Viet Nam Teacher Education Institute June 2010 The Problem Noise Distance Reverberation FM Systems Loop Systems Sound Field Systems Classrooms are big, NOISY places! Outdoor Traffic, trains,