KEEPING YOUR CONGREGATION IN THE LOOP REQUIRES REGULAR CHECKS

[PLACES OF WORSHIP are becoming increasingly aware of the need to be accessible to people with hearing loss – to be both inclusive of their communities and to meet equality legislation. Assistive listening systems such as hearing loops offer those who wear a hearing aid or cochlear implant the ability to receive clear sound so they can feel fully part of every service. However, the commitment to worshippers doesn’t end there: installation is only the first step. After that, staff or volunteers need to make sure the system continues to offer sound to the required standard.

As a recent article from the Diocese of London highlighted, many churches have hearing loop systems but do not know if they are working well – or at all. And if they’re not functioning correctly, then equality laws aren’t being complied with. It isn’t just in the spaces of worship: hearing loops, together with ceiling or portable microphones, can and should also be used in meeting spaces used by the community.

Once a hearing loop system has been installed its low energy use means it can – and should be – left switched on to amplify the sound from the microphone on the pulpit or those of the band performing. It means worshippers don’t have to declare their hearing loss and can access the service discreetly and equitably.

Many buildings upgrade their sound systems, re-organise layouts or repurpose the spaces they have. Cabling can get damaged and power sources turned off, or amplifiers for the loop system, known as loop drivers, become unplugged.

Any public building undergoing renovation must be compliant with the standard BS-8300; that standard provides detail and advice on where and how to integrate assistive technology in the built environment.

Once any changes are complete the loop can be checked with a loop listener – a small hand-held device with headphones. The user will be able to tell if the loop is working and get an indication of the signal strength. It allows staff to do a simple check each month and have confidence their loop is working.

What it can’t replace, though, is regular maintenance by a qualified engineer. Their equipment will give a more accurate indication of the loop’s performance, which needs to meet the internationally recognised IEC 60118-4 standard.

Engineers will also be able to check cabling, microphones and the ‘health’ of the overall system; and – most importantly – they will know how to resolve any issues that have arisen.

Signage is also an important part of maintenance checks. The blue ‘ear’ signs are a key part of the hearing loop system, but they can get taken down during redecoration or refurbishment and not put back up again.

The signs let people know a loop system is available and prompt users to switch their hearing device to the ‘T’ position, activating the in-built telecoil to receive the signal transmitted by the loop.

It is intensely frustrating for anyone visiting a place of worship to not be able to hear what’s going on, and even more so when a system designed to remove that frustration doesn’t work. It can mean worshippers or community members look to another venue that better meets their needs. q