You may also choose not to get any accessories. Some accessories are complimentary when you purchase hearing aids. You can pick and choose which accessories you want depending on your preferences.

There are a variety of accessories that may enhance your experience with hearing aids. Hearing aid accessories are devices that are meant to complement or add additional features and abilities to your hearing aids. They have a variety of features and benefits to improve your hearing.

Those parishioners who need hearing assistance but don’t wear hearing aids can use headsets or earbuds which are connected to small pocket-sized receivers.Hearing aids are sophisticated pieces of technology. This neckloop receiver will pick up the signal and send it directly to the hearing aid. People with telecoil hearing aids can pick up the signal from FM or infrared transmitters directly (without having to put anything else in or over their ear) by wearing a neckloop receiver. Depending on how powerful the transmitter is, the range varies from a few hundred feet to a few thousand feet.įM transmitters can be fixed frequency, meaning they’re permanently set to one frequency or station, or have multiple frequencies to prevent interference from other systems. How do FM assistive listening systems work? In essence, you’re using a tiny FM radio station to “broadcast” to your parishioners. In general, these systems offer superior ease of operation, as well as a major cost advantage. If you’re thinking about an IR system, it’s important to figure out if the area you’re working in can accommodate transmitters that will beam to the entire room without any “dead spots,” and if there will be any kind of light (especially overhead fluorescent lights) interfering with the signal.įM-based wireless systems are another option in places where infrared is impractical. IR can work no matter how small or large your house of worship is, as long as you use sufficient and strategically placed transmitters, which can cover up to 11,000 square feet with a single emitter. Headsets are available with built-in receivers, or users who already use hearing aids can wear a small receiver that fits in a pocket.īecause IR systems transmit using infrared wavelengths, there’s no danger of interference with other FM based systems, even if they’re being used in the next room.

Infrared (IR) systems transmit and receive signals through infrared light which is beamed from the transmitter to the receivers.

These systems - FM and infrared - each have strong and weak points. The two most effective and least complicated types of assistive listening systems use wireless transmission to boost volume into congregants’ personal headsets. Which Assistive Listening System is Right for Your Church? Having assistive listening devices (ALDs) on hand not only serves elderly and hard-of-hearing parishioners, but also parents with babies or young children who may have to step outside for a few moments. This means that, for public meetings and services, ADA-compliant listening systems should be available on premises.Įven houses of worship which are exempt from ADA compliance have found that having a listening system can increase attendance and make religious services a more fulfilling experience for many. What are ADA compliant assistive listening systems, and how can they help you make religious services accessible to everyone? ADA Compliant Assistive Listening Systems Let Everyone Tune InĬhurches and houses of worship (as well as other public spaces) are subject to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Can Assistive Listening Systems Enhance Your Services?Ĭhoosing the right assistive listening system to use in your house of worship not only fulfills ADA requirements, but also makes religious services and group activities more rewarding.

Assistive listening devices for church