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  Loop Systems

 

What is an induction loop system?

An induction loop system helps deaf people who use a hearing aid or loop listener hear sounds more clearly because it reduces or cuts out background noise.

An electric current is fed to the loop by an amplifier that gets its signal from a connection with a source of sound. This can be a sound system or TV set, or a microphone placed in front of the person speaking. The resulting current in the loop produces a magnetic field that matches the sound. You can then pick up this magnetic field if you are sitting within the area of the loop and your hearing aid – or loop listening aid – is set to ‘T’. You can adjust your hearing aid for volume in the usual way. Some telephones have a very small loop, called an inductive coupler, in the earpiece.

At home, for example, you could use a loop to hear sound from your television. In your car you can use a loop system to help you hear the stereo or radio. You can also set up a loop with a microphone to help you hear conversations in noisy places. In the theatre, a loop can help you hear the show more clearly.

How do I use an induction loop system?

If you have a hearing aid with a ‘T’ setting, simply switch it to ‘T’. If you do not have a suitable hearing aid you can still use a loop, but you will also need a ‘loop listener’. Some loop listeners are small boxes with headphones – others are worn as an earpiece. More than one person can benefit from a loop installed in a room as long as they each have their hearing aids set to ‘T’ or they are using loop listeners. You are not wired to any other equipment so you are free to move around and listen from anywhere within the loop.

Possible problems with an induction loop system

You may find you have to turn up the volume on your hearing aid a little when you switch to ‘T’. But this should not be a problem if the loop has been set up properly. However, even if the loop system works correctly, you might pick up buzzing noises when you set your hearing aid to ‘T’, or when using a loop listener. This is caused by interference on your hearing aid from electrical equipment such as fluorescent lights, dimmer switches or electric cables.

Be aware that the loop signal can spill out beyond the area within the loop to other rooms. Walls, ceilings and floors do not block the magnetic waves from a loop. So you may be able to overhear sounds or conversations in rooms next door or directly above and below the loop. This could be a problem if your neighbour also uses a loop system, or if you want to have a confidential conversation. To get round this problem, you could try to reduce the size of the loop – although you might need to rearrange the seating. Alternatively, you could use an infrared system.

Infra-red system

An infra-red system consists of a transmitter and a listening receiver. Sound is fed to the transmitter in the same way as with a loop system – either by a direct electrical connection or via a microphone. It is then transmitted to you as invisible infra-red light.

How do I use an infra-red system?

To hear sound you need to use an infra-red receiver:

Infra-red systems are less likely than loops to have problems with interference, and sound will not spill over into other rooms. However, strong sunlight and dark wall coverings can reduce the quality of sound and the area over which they can work. Several infra-red systems can be used at the same time in rooms next to each other and so they are suitable for confidential meetings. They provide high quality sound. Stereo versions are available.

How do I set up a loop system in my home?

You can install a loop system yourself or have it done for you. Full instructions for installation should be included with the equipment. Installing the loop wire itself is the most tricky part as it is usually placed round the edge of the room at skirting board level. Take care to install the wire securely. You can route it over doors and window frames as this does not affect how well it works. Always follow the instructions.

The loop amplifier is normally placed close to the source of sound and connected directly by a plug-in lead. If connected to your TV or video equipment, you use the SCART connection. If you can’t connect your loop system directly to your TV or video, you can use a microphone to pick up sound from the TV set's loudspeaker. To operate the system, just plug the amplifier into the mains socket, position the microphone (if there is one) and switch on. Volume of the loop is adjusted independently of the T V volume

On some systems, you can use an extra microphone to pick up the sound of your telephone or doorbell ringing, so you don’t miss these while watching television. Alternatively, if your hearing aid has a combined 'MT' setting, you can use this to hear sound through the microphone and through the loop at the same time.

 

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