Let’s Loop America!

Compared to many European countries, the United States is sorely lagging behind in terms of hearing loop systems. Although awareness is increasing, Assist 2 Hear is eager to see hearing loops installed in public and private venues  across the country to help people make the most of the hearing aids they have already invested in.

Loop Colorado

With this in mind, Assist 2 Hear is taking a leading role in promoting the Loop Colorado initiative to install hearing loop systems in our state. Loop Colorado is part of the larger national initiative, “Get in the Hearing Loop!” – a campaign launched by the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) and Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) to educate the public – as well as audiologists and other professionals who dispense hearing aids – about telecoils and hearing loops.

There are already many successful grassroots loop initiatives in the U.S. – like those in churches, schools and public venues. Michigan’s Holland-Zeeland area has been particularly effective at turning the campaign into a reality. In less than eight years, nearly 200 institutions have joined the loop system and are broadcasting sound directly to hearing aids with many smiling faces - ear to ear!

In New York City, subway station information booths are now fitted with hearing loops. Janice Schacter, chair of the Hearing Access Program that helped make the loop system a reality in NYC, said she hopes it will be a model for the rest of the country.  New York City taxis are being looped too.

In the Chicago area, more than a dozen churches installed the loop system. For some, like Richard Sagendorph, a 40-year member of a church of one of the participating churches, it meant finally being able to hear the sermons again.

As Ira Flatow, host of the “Science Friday” radio show, describes it, “Think of [the loop system] like wireless networking for hearing aids.”

And if anyone still isn’t convinced that the looping of America would be the greatest thing for the hearing impaired since the invention of the hearing aid, just look at the side-by-side comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of large area assistive listening systems, as per the Americans with Disabilities Act.  The best advantage hearing loops have over FM or Infrared systems is that they get used!

Let’s Loop America!  

A successful camgaign to Loop America depends on individuals advocating for better access for the hearing impaired.  Don't be afraid to SPEAK UP AND ASK FOR BETTER  HEARING in public and private venues, as well as at your place of employment!  Hearing accomodation is clearly part of ADA.  It takes support by everyone - It takes a Village..............

Active Loop Initiatives Across America:

• Arizona:  http://alohaaz.org/lets_loop_tucson.html
• California:
         Silicon Valley:  http://www.hla-siliconvalley.org/hla_loop.shtml
• Florida:  http://www.hla-fl.com/loopvenuesfl20110603.pdf
• Illinois:  http://www.hearingdoc.com/looped_facilities.php
• New Mexico:  http://www.hlaabq.com/LoopNM.html
• New York:
          New York City:  http://www.hearingloop.org/NYCpage.html
          Rochester:  http://www.hlaa-rochester-ny.org/worship_places.htm
• West Michigan:  http://www.hearingloop.org/WMich-looped-facilities-links.htm
• Wisconsin:  http://www.foxvalleyhearingloop.com/

And of Course - Colorado:  http://www.loopcolorado.com