t-coils in public venues

[Don Willson]

In our town the city is remodeling two performance halls, 1180 seats and 220 seats. I want them to install T-coil loops but so far they say the FM system with the 'hang below the chin' headphones are satisfactory. The sound engineers at my church are unaware of T-coil loops but I am working with them and your answers will help.
If you have HAs and have experienced public venues with loops would you post your experience?
Some comments might be:
Did they work well?
What is the sound quality?
Was the switch to T-coil mode automatic?
Did location in the audience make a difference?
Does the t-coil work as well as IR or FM headphones?
Do they have loops at the ticket window?
Any other thoughts.
Thanks

[RoseRodent]

Did they work well?


Repeated frustration of public Tcoils is them not being turned on and nobody knowing anything about them to turn them on, charge up any batteries, attach the microphone, etc. All most people know about counter loops is that if they put the box on the counter people with hearing aids will magically hear! With the type of system where you go and pick up a receiver set they at least get a heads up that they are expected to turn the system on!


Did they work well? What is the sound quality?


Some and some. I've had loop systems in universities where more than one lecture overlaps, I've had ones with good sound everywhere within the loop field, indeed all the way to the bathroom and back again! I've also known ones with patchy reception and lots of interference. Anything else electrical interferes with the T-coil setting, so in places with other complex electricals it's just not practical. People also think that putting a cellphone on "silent" is the same as putting it to off. It totally isn't, you can hear that "du du duh, du du duh, du du duh" cellphone next to a speaker thing all the time on Tcoil things, varying from not too annoying in places with mostly older people to totally constant in places with lots of young folk picking up new text messages, emails and tweets and twits and whatever that stuff all is.


Was the switch to T-coil mode automatic?


No, I've never known it automatic except with a telephone, you need a program button or remote to get into T mode for these things.


Did location in the audience make a difference?


Yes, but sadly it's not often possible to find out in advance what is a good and a poor location unless the venue happens to be well informed. If they promise you that everywhere is fantastic I'd be getting out a pinch of salt ready!


Does the t-coil work as well as IR or FM headphones?


Totally random, some IR systems have been rubbish, and also so coated in wires you cannot move. Some of the headphone types of receiver are ill-sized, heavy, do not have enough maximum volume, generally low quality, etc. Much will depend on your hearing aid, some of the new open fit versions for HF only losses perform poorly on T switch because the low frequencies don't pass through the hearing aid, and the ear is not sufficiently plugged up by the open mould to prevent environmental sound getting in, thus background noise is as bad as ever. Some systems in auditoriums with lots of electrical interference can be difficult on the T setting.


Do they have loops at the ticket window?


Often, yes, and this is one of the most useful places to have a T switch, but usual caution with counter loops that they know how it works and that you can physically stand close enough to make it work as the fields are pretty small. I am a wheelchair user, so I rarely get high enough to the counter to make them work.

[Hask12]

I have zero experience with t-coils in a public venue. they just don't seem very common,
at least not yet, in the U.S. I have had experience with I.R. and my experience has been poor. I have a profound hearing loss and IR never seems to be even close to loud enough. my understanding is to put in a loop system is pretty inexpensive and anyone who implies that IR is good enough, unfortunately, doesn't know what they are talking about.

[Gilbert]

I have Phonak Audeo (no t-coil) and iCom. I am considering buying an adapter for my iCom so I can receive the signals in public buildings. I have come across adapters that can convert either of the systems to a low level audio signal that can be plugged into the iCom.
Unfortunately, I have to decide whether to go with the inductive loop or the FM system.

Does anyone know which of the systems is more widely used than the other in N. America?

Gilbert

[djchur]

I have a loop system installed at home, so I can hear the TV, my church also has one fitted. I find both systems very good.

In cinemas, theatres etc. they tend to be rarely switched on and if you ask about it the staff generally haven't a clue how to operate them. At counters in banks etc. I have found that loop systems often pick up not only the voice of the cashier speaking to me, but all the other cashiers too, which is very frustrating.

I have used an fm system too, and find that they pick up a lot of electrical interference. Loop systems in my experience, if installed properly, seem to be better. I've never had any success with IR systems, both at university and at the theatre I've been given receivers to use, only to find I can't hear a thing with them!

[Jane B.]

I know this is an older thread but I just recently found this site and am trying to catch up.

I am most familiar with FM as a number of the churches in my small community (including the one I am a member of and attend regularly) have the Personal PA system by Williams. Years ago I started finding the ear bud that came standard with the receivers was uncomfortable and bought my own neckloop to plug in in place of the ear bud. These do need the t-coil on your hearing aid to work. I encountered a different brand at the St. Louis Cathedral and found my neckloop completely compatible there.

You might get a kick out of what happened to me years ago. Back in 1992 there was a denomination wide event in St. Louis at the convention center. They hired two different companies to provide hearing assistance and Spanish translation. Some of you may guess what happened! Yes, they both brought Williams Personal PA equipment — set to the SAME FREQUENCE. It covered the large area fine BUT can you imagine what it sounded like when you were getting both? Frankly, it did not work. I have not been to one since as none (it is every 2 years) have been close enough for me to attend as a visitor or help with and do not have good enough hearing to be a delegate.

[Don Willson]

In Fort Collins, Colorado they are remodeling the Lincoln Center, our main venue for theater and concerts. I had been bugging them to add T-coil with not a lot of interest.
Tonight in a 'get acquainted with the city' program I asked the manager of the Center about T-coils. His response was."It will happen" our sound engineer has been told to "do It." I'll report back next summer.

[CryMeARiver]

I'm very happy to report that my alma mater...Michigan State University, recently completed installing a hearing loop in it's 15,000 seat basketball arena, Breslin Center. It is the largest facility now looped in the United States. Michigan is in the forefront of this movement with numerous aiports, churches, and other public facilities looped. There will be an international conference on hearing loops in June that coincides with the Hearing Loss Association of America's annual conference in Washington, DC. Please go to www.hearingloop.org for all the info you need to get loops in your area. It's a really big push right now and the AAA (American Academy of Audiologists) have partnered with HLAA to get the word out. Let's loop America!!!