Getting Started-Hearing Better in Public Places, Part 1

How to Connect-Hearing Loops

Get clarity! Bring the sound from the microphone directly to your ear, with minimal background noise. Hearing loops extend the capabilities of your hearing aid or cochlear implant.

Blue sign. At top: International Symbol of Access for Hearing Loss. Bottom, black on white background "switch hearing aid or CI to t-coil or ask for headphones"
Hearing loop signage has a "T" in the lower right corner. Commonly these signs are blue. To use this system with a telecoil, you don't need to borrow any equipment (easy!)
Using a hearing loop. Left side: Diagram showing the telecoil inside a hearing aid. Right side: A hearing loop receiver, a box about 3x5 inches and headphones plugged in.

How to Use a Counter Hearing Loop

  1. Stand within 3-4 feet of the counter hearing loop.
  2. Switch your hearing aid or cochlear implant to Telecoil (T-coil) program
  3. Speaker talks into microphone and sound is sent directly to your hearing aids or cochlear implant
  4. Anyone outside of the approximate 4-foot area cannot pick up your conversation to ensure privacy.

Photos of permanent and portable counter hearing loops (this website)

How hearing loop works-describing the invisible (1 page, pdf)

Counter hearing loop with staff member speaking into microphone. On the other side of the counter, with a plexiglass barrier, are two users: one with a cochlear implant (younger person) and one with a hearing aid (older person)
Permanent Counter Hearing Loop
Portable counter hearing loops between two people sitting at a desk.
Portable Counter Hearing Loop

How to Connect-FM/RF and Infrared (IR)

These systems are similar to the hearing loop, but use different technologies.

Blue sign. At top: International Symbol of Access for Hearing Loss. Bottom, black lettering on white background "Assistive Listening System: headphones or neckloops are available upon request"
FM and infrared systems will use a similar sign, but without the "T." To use this system with a telecoil, you will need to borrow a receiver and neckloop from the site/facility.
Images Left: Receiver + neckloop + Right Receiver + neckloop + earbuds + earhook

Where Can You Find Assistive Listening Systems?

Assistive listening systems (hearing loops, FM, and infrared) are required 1) wherever a PA system is used in a public place and 2) places that you have difficulty hearing. There are hundreds of places in your state, including libraries, auditoriums, event spaces, city council chambers, courtrooms, etc. that have these systems. Here’s a list of the type of places (this website) you can expect to find and use them.

  • United States and Canada hearing loop lists, listed by state or providence (this website).
  • Over 30 countries have assistive listening systems so you can hear clearly when you travel, including on trains and portable systems on tours.

Leave a Google Review

How did the hearing loop, FM, or infrared system work?  Consider taking a photo of the ‘ear’ and leaving a positive or constructive review. Google Review examples and resources (this website).

International Symbol of Access for Hearing Loss. A white ear with a slash through it. Blue background.    Google Maps logo

For More Information on Assistive Listening Systems

About the Center for Hearing Access. We’re a national nonprofit advocating for all assistive listening systems for people with hearing loss. Assistive listening systems help people hear more clearly in performing arts venues, libraries, events, government offices, and other spaces. These systems can be life-changing for people with hearing loss and keep them engaged in their communities.

We provide practical handouts, ADA information, videos, templates, tools, and articles to help advocates and sites/facilities create hearing-friendly neighborhoods for everyone. We believe that hearing loops are today’s gold standard for providing easy-to-use, universal hearing access.