Hearing Loop Help For People In The Pews
Do you or a loved one have trouble hearing? We have two ways to help.
I Have A Hearing Aid! How Can You Help?
Even with hearing aids, background noise and interference can make it difficult for those with hearing challenges to hear well in church. To mitigate this, Saint John’s has installed an induction hearing loop in the main body of the church. This allows all sound amplified in church to also be transmitted through a hearing aid right into a person's ear! Those with hearing challenges should switch their hearing aid to the t-coil setting to take advantage of this technology.
I Have Trouble Hearing - But Don't Have A Hearing Aid!
If you do not have a hearing aid, but have difficulty hearing, we recommend you try one of our hearing loop receivers. The receiver allows you to hear the amplified audio better. You use the headphones provided, while sitting in any of the main-level pews. If you need assistance, please ask an usher.
What is A Hearing Loop?
A hearing loop, or induction loop system, is a designated area within a building that conducts the sound from a microphone directly into a receiver inside a hearing aid or cochlear implant. When sound is picked up by a microphone, an amplifier sends the signal to this wire, which then transmits the signal electromagnetically right into the “T-Coil” found in most modern hearing aids. Our hearing loop is available to people in any of the main-level pews who set their hearing aid to the "T-Coil" setting.
How Do I Know if I Have T-coils in My Hearing Aids?
Most hearing aids have t-coils, although that feature is not always turned on. The t-coil program is sometimes called the "telephone" or "loop" program. If there is a push button on your instrument, it is likely the telecoil program is an option but it may not have been activated by your audiologist. Please contact your audiologist to find out if your instruments have telecoils.
How Does It Work?
This microphone-amplifier-induction loop (wire) system radiates a magnetic signal to a “t-coil” implanted inside a user’s own hearing device. It’s as if the speaker and listener were talking one-on-one at very close range, and greatly improves the listening experience.
How Do I Access It?
Hearing loops are accessible with any device equipped with a t-coil, including hearing aids, cochlear implants, and body-worn induction loop receivers. Unlike Bluetooth, no pairing is required. Simply switch the listening device to its T-coil setting when in the looped area, and the sound will automatically be received.