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Assistive Listening Devices 101
Are you struggling to choose the right assistive listening device?
Whether you’re a professional tasked with researching assistive listening devices, or a concerned family member seeking the best solution for a loved one with hearing loss, you don’t have to navigate this complex landscape alone.
Even if you’ve already conducted extensive research and are feeling overwhelmed by the multitude of options out there, we’re here to help.
Our expert guide will cut through the technical jargon and provide you with a quick and easy rundown of the pros and cons of various systems, helping you make an informed decision and find the perfect assistive listening device.
So, if you’re ready to take control of your hearing needs, look no further than this page.
Need help configuring custom Assistive Listening Devices or Systems? Click below for personalized assistance.
What Are Assistive Listening Systems?
Assistive listening devices (or systems) help people with hearing loss hear better by amplifying the sound and filtering out noise.
This allows individuals with hearing loss to listen at the louder volumes they need, without disturbing others around them. All assistive systems:
- Minimize background noise (improve the signal-to-noise ratio)
- Counteract poor acoustics in a room such as an echo
- Reduce the effect of distance between the sound source and the ear
How Assistive Listening Systems Work?
Whether you’re one person watching TV or designing an audio system for a large auditorium, all ALS systems work essentially the same way.
They create an electronic link between the listener and the audio source (for example a movie, presentation, TV show, etc). The sound source is connected to a transmitter which encodes the sounds and sends them to receivers.
This way, people can move naturally and not be ‘tied down’ to the audio source.
Systems vary in two main ways:
- Type of technology used to transmit the audio signal.
- Method of signal movement between the listener’s receiver and their auditory nerve.
Common audio transmission methods:
- Standard headphones are the most common means of receiving audio signals.
- Some hearing aids and cochlear implants can also “tune in” to the audio feed.
Where are Assistive Listening Systems Required?
Many countries require assistive listening systems to be provided in venues where audible communication is critical to using the space.
In the United States, these venues include classrooms, courtrooms, public meeting rooms, convention centers, and other public places.
Our compliance guides below will help you determine the exact requirements for your situation:
ADA Guide
Guide to assistive listening requirements under the Americans With Disabilities Act.
International Guide
Guide to hearing support requirements and legislation around the world, including the EU, and UK.
The Seven Types of Assistive Listening System
1. FM Systems
This is the same technology that powers the radio in your car. With FM systems, the source audio is connected to a transmitter, which sends the signal using FM radio waves to a receiver up to 1,000 feet away.
From there, the receivers connect to listeners’ ears via standard 1/8″ headphone jacks. If you have a telecoil-equipped hearing aid or cochlear implant, you can use a neck loop to bridge between an FM receiver and a hearing aid.
- FM signals penetrate walls, so listeners can be in another room
- Cheaper to install and maintain
- Reliable technology, used for decades
- Systems not usable in all countries due to spectrum restrictions
- Not private: anyone with an FM scanner can listen
- Not compatible with T-coil equipped hearing aids without a neckloop adapter
2. Wi-Fi Systems
Wi-Fi systems use a digital signal making the audio quality higher than FM systems. One or more Wi-Fi routers broadcast the signal to all devices in range, creating a zone of coverage or “hotspot.” The audio feed can be secured with a password.
- Listeners can use their personal phone or tablet which reduces the need to purchase receivers
- Most users are familiar with connecting to Wi-Fi networks
- If no encryption is set up, connection is almost seamless
- Encryption can also be set up for added security
- Cost effective option for large trade shows and combined indoor / outdoor roaming situations
- Adding routers can easily expand the coverage area
- Buildings with a lot of brick, concrete, or steel may block the Wi-Fi signal
- Many dead zones or need for more routers
- The more devices connected to a single router, the slower it becomes
- Latency (sound delay) problems may arise with a large crowd
3. Infrared (IR) Systems
Infrared systems use an invisible beam of light to send the signal between the transmitter and the receivers. The same technology is used in TV remotes and some other household electronics.
Infrared systems can be found in individual homes (sometimes worn around the neck with earphones plugged in) that will connect to the TV as well as in large facilities.
- The transmitter and receiver automatically connect as soon as they “see” each other
- Effective over a large area. Some IR transmitters can cover a large open room
- Transmission is private within room
- The IR signal cannot penetrate through walls or other solid objects
- Requires a direct line of sight
- IR emitters must be positioned high in a room to ensure coverage
- Multiple emitters may be needed to fully cover a space
4. Bluetooth Systems
Bluetooth is a short-range digital radio system found in modern smartphones, tablets, and computers.
Like Wi-Fi, the devices have to be “paired” so unauthorized devices can be excluded from listening.
- Many personal electronic devices have Bluetooth, so your listeners can use their own smartphone and earphones to listen
- Because each device on the link has to be ‘paired’ it is secure. Only those who have connected via the Bluetooth link can hear
- Short range. Top range is 100 meters (328 feet). Compare with FM systems with a max range of 1000 feet
- Bluetooth devices must be paired to the source. Devices have different steps for doing this, making it hard to provide “tech support” to a group of people with many different types of phones
5. Hearing Loops
Hearing Loops (AKA Induction Loops / Telecoil Loops,) are commonly used in auditoriums, theatres, and other facilities.
They transmit directly to hearing aids via a magnetic field. The “loop” refers to a wire that is installed along the perimeter of a room, usually under the floor. When a loop system is active, individuals with hearing aids that have a T-coil setting can listen to the audio signal directly into their hearing aids by activating the “T” setting.
What about people with no hearing aids? Neck loops transmit audio signals directly to hearing aids or cochlear implants with a T-coil switch. Those without T-coil hearing aids need to use a receiver with earphones or headphones.
- Cuts out unwanted background noise
- No need to use a receiver / headset (for those with T-coil hearing aids)
- Inconspicuous
- Any number of users can use the system
- Only those “in the loop’ can listen. Only those with the telecom enabled hearing aid will benefit without a neckloop accessory
- Requires a large-scale renovation of the facility (usually ripping up part of the floor) to retrofit, ideal for installation in a new facility
6. Digital Systems
Digital assistive listening systems (such as the DigiWave line of products from Williams Sound) operate similarly to FM systems.
The only difference is that they use a different part of the radio spectrum and encode their transmission using digital data rather than an analog format.
- Best audio quality
- Highly light weight and portable
- Extended battery life
- Digitally encrypted communication to prevent unauthorized listeners
- No installation costs or technical assistance needed to operate
- Systems can be easily expanded to add more listeners
- No need for listeners to have a hearing aid or cochlear implant
- Can be easily expanded to offer multi channels (for example combined with language interpretation equipment)
- Higher cost
7. Personal / Home Assistive Listening Devices
Are you looking for a personal amplifier to compensate for hearing loss at home? To help with watching TV or hearing conversations?
These are meant to mimic the effects of a hearing aid or cochlear implant, They pick up the sound in the immediate vicinity, reduce background noise, and transmit it to the listener’s ear with a minimum of signal loss.
Unlike the other hearing devices discussed above, they combine the input (mic) with the amplifier and output in a single easy-to-use unit.
- Simple to use, self-contained unit
- No setup costs or configuration
- Great for use at home, travel, or facilities where listening devices are not provided
- Great option for when hearing aids are not a workable option; can be used only when needed (for example noisy public places)
- Microphone picks up all ambient sounds, and may also amplify unwanted background sounds
- Limited range up to 15ft
Questions To Help Choose a System
With so many options, selecting the right equipment can be a bit daunting. We’ve helped but if you’re more the “do-it-yourself” type, answering these should point you in the right direction:
- How many listeners will your system need to support?
- What are the applicable laws in my area concerning the physically challenged and the hard of hearing?
- Will you be traveling to other countries while using the equipment?
- Will the installation be done as part of a building renovation? Or in an already-built space?
