Wegmans Food Markets recently announced that they will install hearing loops at all of their locations throughout the Northeast US by the end of 2016. The hearing loops are being installed at pharmacy counters, customer service desks and designated check out lanes.
Hearing loops work by providing a wireless magnetic field that sends a sound signal that is picked up by hearing aids and cochlear implants equipped with a T-coil. The T-coil works like an antenna and sends the sound signal directly to the hearing aid or cochlear implant. The difference in sound clarity when using a hearing loop is described as being amazing.
Hearing loop technology is nothing new and is widely available throughout Europe, in the US, however, it hasn’t caught on quite as widely.
When I think about the places where I struggle to hear, like auditoriums, theaters and churches, I wonder how much public demand is necessary for these venues to considering putting them in.
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