Large-Area Listening

We can work with you to improve communication for Hearing Impaired people throughout various community settings.

There are systems to meet the continually varying needs of customers to be compliant with current legislation in order to provide quality audio services to users.

Applications

• Conference and meeting rooms
• Court rooms
• Lecture theatres
• Churches
• Multi-lingual simultaneous translation
• Tour guide
• Auditoriums
• Multimedia rooms
• Theatres

There are three main audio transmission systems available with different application possibilities.

Induction loop systems (ILS)

Infrared transmission systems (IRS)

Radio-frequency transmission systems (RFS)

The main advantage of all these systems is that the sound is delivered to the listeners in a pure, undistorted form that is not influenced by the distance of the listeners to the sound source or by any annoying background noise in the room.

In order to ensure that any listening system is effective, it is important to compare the requirements of the venue and its architectural features such that the properties of the chosen transmission system is not in conflict with its surroundings. Site visits and assessments are an important part of any pre-installation for a new or upgrading venue.

The key to all of these transmission systems though is their input from an audio source - microphone, one or many, or a public address system. If the quality of the input is not at its best then the output will not be satisfactory.

Induction Loop Systems

An induction loop system consists of a loop of wire around an area and an amplifier. The loop, an insulated wire, runs around the outside of the listening area. The amplifier transmits the required audio signals as an alternating current into the loop. A magnetic field of audio sound is then created inside the loop allowing listeners with the loop facility on their hearing aids to move freely in the room and receive the audio signals directly into their hearing aids without unwanted sounds.

Infrared transmission systems

An IR audio transmission system consists of at least one transmitter and one or more receivers. The transmitter is connected to an audio source and transmits the signals received in the form of infrared light wirelessly to receivers. Receivers convert the infrared light into audio signals and feed them into either headphones or neckloop for the user.

This technology can prove superior to other systems in particular where the venue requires confidentiality, e.g. in courtrooms or conference rooms and in areas where several transmission systems are operated close to one another in neighbouring rooms, such as in multiplex cinemas or domestic rooms in apartments. Infrared can also be used where there may be a large amount of radio interference.

Radio-frequency transmission systems

Radio-frequency audio transmission systems are well established as wireless TV listening systems for the home. However, professional equipment is available for large scale applications e.g. sport arenas, churches, in lecture or seminar rooms, as well as schools and universities. Portable, tour guide systems are useful in many areas e.g. museums, art galleries, tourist attractions and special events or transportation. The availability and use of several channels makes it possible to provide different information at the same time, for simultaneous interpreting into different languages, for example, or for the treatment of different topics for several listening groups located close to one another.

Installations

Please contact us if you have a project in mind and would like further information or help with system design, installation, commissioning and training.