Are you a hearing aid user who has been to a theatre, auditorium, or any other public space where the assistive listening device doesn’t work?
Your hearing aids should be able to connect with the loop system or an infrared listening system, which is found in most public spaces in the U.S., or paired with an assistive listening device provided by the theatre establishment. What’s a Hearing Loop? A hearing loop (or an audio induction loop) is a sound system that helps people with hearing aids hear in theaters, banks, waiting areas, auditoriums, teaching spaces, or any area with public announcements. The hearing loop produces a wireless, magnetic signal that is picked up by the hearing aid when the ‘T’ (telecoil or t-coil) setting is on. It has an audio source linked to an amplifier that processes the signal. The signal is transferred to the loop cable - a wire installed around the perimeter of a designated spot i.e. a small meeting room, but it can be designed to wrap around complex areas. Hearing loops provide high sound quality. This is the only assistive listening technology that can stream directly to various hearing aids styles. They are the leading choice for audio accessibility in public spaces. Employee Sensitivity Training Employees should have required training on handling and accommodating patrons who are hard of hearing and require an assistive listening device. For example, if a theater or any establishment touts accessibility accommodations for people who cannot hear very well and then fails to follow through on that promise, there should be a notification, an explanation, or an apology. There should also be an update to their system or an announcement on their website. For some businesses, accessibility services tend to take the back burner, which is in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Advantages of Using a Hearing Loop
If you, or a loved one, are missing out during your favorite or important situations, contact Pure Sound Hearing for a hearing test and consultation about a hearing aid trial. The summer heatwave is beating down upon us, and maybe you’ve noticed an ice cream truck circling your neighborhood. When you were a kid, do you remember perking up as soon as you heard that classic high-pitched tune playing on a loop to signal the ice cream truck was close?
You probably never knew or were curious enough to research the device used to produce the music from ice cream trucks. Since 1957, Nichols Electronics Co of Richfield has been producing and selling music boxes for ice cream trucks. There’s plenty of competition against ice cream vendors. That means they should be loud enough even when there’s a lot of background noise, no matter the environment. Tunes that play from a high-quality music box allow vendors to get noticed by their customers. Anyone with good hearing can recognize that unmistakable jingle. Nichols Electronics entered the ice cream music box business in 1957 when an ice cream truck driver from Los Angeles reached out to his friend Bob Nichols. He asked Nichols if he would create an electric music box, similar to the ones that Good Humor ice cream trucks used. This was the inception of the business of creating music boxes for ice cream trucks. Do you miss hearing the sound of ice cream trucks? Don’t be left out. Enjoy some music and treats with family, your grandchildren, and friends. Contact Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation with one of our hearing aid professionals. The strength of noise can affect your hearing. The only way to prevent noise-induced hearing loss is by avoiding loud environments or protecting your ears with earplugs or ear muffs.
If you or others must shout in order to hear each other at a close range, this indicates that you are in a dangerous environment for your ears. Hearing loss may occur immediately or gradually based on sensitivity and volume level. 4 Tips to Safeguard Your Hearing
Tips to Prevent Hearing Loss in Private and Public Spaces In the home
In public spaces
Protecting your Hearing during Pregnancy as well as for Infants and Children If you are pregnant or have small children, the same precautions listed above apply to you and your children. Preventing your body from coming in direct contact with the sound source (vibrations) while pregnant, is also crucial to avoid. Be aware of loud toys that you let your children or grandchildren use. Keep an eye out for Noise Reduction Ratings All hearing protection features noise reduction ratings. It is generally found on a label on the device’s container (it might read “NRR”). This tells users the amount of protection the devices are capable of providing. Noise reduction ratings are measured using decibels (dB). Most hearing protection have ratings between 0 dB to 35 dB. The term noise reduction rating refers to the “best case” rating which is measured in a laboratory. The sound reduction that the protection provides might actually be significantly less. Choose the best hearing protection that suits you and your needs. Ask yourself these three questions:
Selecting the Hearing Protection that’s Right for You You should consider personal preferences when it comes to comfort level and where you plan on wearing it. The efficiency of hearing protection depends on whether you wear it consistently and correctly. Earmuffs, earplugs, and customized devices are the most common types of hearing protection. Earplugs Earplugs give users an air-tight seal around the ear canal. These are reasonably priced, effective, and simple to use. They come in the following styles:
Earmuffs Most people will be able to find an earmuff that fits them from the variety of styles that are available. Noise is blocked out when the muffs completely cover the outer ear. Some earmuffs feature electronic elements to allow users to communicate, obstruct sound vibrations, or block out background noises. Earmuffs may not be suitable for people with heavy beards, sideburns, or eyeglasses (these can make a gap of space between the earmuff cushioning and your head). If you need foam earplugs, stop by one of our Pure Sound Hearing office locations. If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss from exposure to loud noise, or any other reason, please schedule an appointment with one of our specialists for a complimentary hearing test and consultation. |
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