Room Loops & Looping Information

Up to now, even though loop systems give wonderful sound and are cost effective, they seem to be one of the best-kept secrets around. Few hard of hearing people have even heard of them. Fortunately, that is changing and interest in loop systems is exploding. It's about time! Loop systems are used all over in the United Kingdom and in many parts of Europe, and are now coming into their own here in the USA.

Incidentally, loop systems are not new. They are a tried and proven technology. I first used a loop system 40 years ago!

Following is the information you need to know about loop systems.

1.  Overview of Loop Systems

For a good overview of loop systems read:  Loop Systems—The Best-Kept Secret in Town!

Click here to hear how well room loops work. You'll hear the dramatic difference between using "bare ears" or hearing aids, and using your hearing aids in t-coil mode in a looped church.

2.  More Information about Loop Systems

Learn about the t-coils (telecoils) in your hearing aids and how they work together with loop systems to help you hear beautiful, clear sound: Using T-Coils (Telecoils) to Couple Your Hearing Aids to Various Audio Devices.

Learn about t-coil orientation and the enormous difference correct orientation makes to successfully using loop systems: Why Correct T-Coil (Telecoil) Orientation Is So Important.

Learn about the differences between loop amplifiers (current amplifiers) and audio (public address) system amplifiers (voltage amplifiers): Two Basic Kinds of Loop Amplifiers and Why the Current Amplifier is the Best for Loop Systems.

3.  Facilities in the USA where Professional Loop Systems
     Have Been Installed

This page lists numerous facilities in the USA where professional loop systems have been installed. Since new loop systems are being installed almost daily, this list can never be complete, but it gives you an idea of where the nearest loop facilities are to you, and how widespread loop systems are becoming.

4.  Loop Systems in the News

Loop systems are currently in the news. (Most recent listed first.)

Audiology Online published an article on May 7, 2012 called, "The Hearing Loop Movement is Rapidly Accelerating".

Here is another article from the New York Times on May 5, 2012 that talks about assistive listening devices including the value of loop systems: "For Hard of Hearing, Clarity Out of the Din".

NPR (National Public Radio) ran a segment on the wonders of loop systems (November 25, 2011). You can read the article and listen to this short 3 minute, 41 second segment by clicking on this link "With The Flick Of A Switch, It's Crystal Clear To Hear".

Dave Myers, Ph.D. wrote this article, The Hearing Loop Movement is Accelerating. It was published in the November/December, 2011 issue of "Advance for Hearing Practice Management".

This article appeared in the The Holland Sentinel on October 31, 2011: Dream becomes reality for Hope psychology professor David Myers.

Here's an article about loop systems in Canada from the CBC News on October 26, 2011: Technology helps hearing impaired stay in 'loop'.

Here is another article on the benefits of loop systems from Hearing News Watch on October 26, 2011: New York Times article spreads the word on the wonders of hearing loops.

Here is an article from the New York Times on October 23, 2011 extolling the benefits of loop systems: A Hearing Aid That Cuts Out All the Clatter.

5.  Kinds of Loop Devices

Professional Loop Systems: Professional loop systems are used in churches, auditoriums, theatres, meeting rooms, etc. These larger loop amplifiers should be installed installed by qualified installers so that the final result meets international standards for looped facilities.

Home Loop Systems: Home loop systems are easy to set up in your home. Typically you would hook up your TV to this loop system and hear beautiful clear sound without blasting the ears of everyone else in the house.  Univox DLS-50 and Univox AutoLoop Room Loop Systems.
 

Portable Loop Systems: Portable loop systems are ideal for use at counters (banks, hotels, ticket windows, etc.). You have to be within 3 or 4 feet of the portable loop in order to hear using this device.
 

Neckloops:

a.  Passive Neckloops: You plug passive neckloops into any audio device where you would otherwise plug in earbuds or headphones. As its name implies you wear a neckloop around your neck.

b.  Amplified Neckloops: Some audio devices such as cell phones do not provide enough power to drive a passive neckloop. For such devices, you need an amplified neckloop so you have enough volume to easily hear the sound signal.

 
c.  Bluetooth Neckloops: If your hearing aids do not have bluetooth built into their remote control device, you can still couple to bluetooth audio devices by using a bluetooth neckloop. Clear Sounds Quattro Amplified Bluetooth Neckloop

Ear Links: There are two kinds of ear links--Music Links and T-Links.

You use the Music Links in any device where you would otherwise listen via earbuds or headphones. They are an alternative for passive and amplified neckloops. Since they are so close to your hearing aids' T-coils, they will work with cell phones and other low powered devices.

You use the T-Links for hands free use of your cell phone. The T-Links have a microphone built into the cord. Music Links and T-Links

Loop receivers: If you do not have hearing aids, or your hearing aids do not have t-coils, you can still listen to loop systems via a loop receiver. You plug your earbuds or headphones into the earphone jack on the loop receiver. Univox Listener
 

6.  Domestic (Home) Loop Systems
 

Information on Installing Home Loop Systems
 

You can install a single wire loop, or, if you need more power, a double-wire loop. Here are instructions how to make and install a double-wire loop: How to Make a Double-Wire Loop.

Connecting Your DLS-50 Loop Amplifier to Your TV: How to Hook Your Univox DLS-50 to Your TV

If you want to, you can connect your phone into a loop system: Using the Univox DLS-50 with a Telephone

How to set the gain (power) correctly on a loop amplifier: Adjusting the Univox DLS-50 (and 2A) Power Level to Match Your Loop

Troubleshooting tips if your Univox DLS-50 system isn't working, or isn't working the way it should be working. Univox DLS-50 Installation Troubleshooting Tips.

Loop system signs: Signs you can print out (or purchase) for indicating a Loop System is installed.

7.  Professional (Churches, Auditoriums, Theatres, etc.)
      Loop Systems
 

Information on Installing Professional Loop Systems

Chart of recommended wire sizes for the various Professional Univox loop amplifiers

Here are four helpful articles related to installing loops.

1.  Points to consider in connection with looping a facility

2.  Points to consider when installing large amplifiers

3.  Installing Wire Loops for Amplifiers—Single, Double or Parallel Loops—
     Which?

4.  Installing a loop under existing carpeting

Loop system signs: Signs you can print out (or purchase) for indicating a Loop System is installed.
 

8.  Purchase Home Loop Systems (and other devices) for Yourself

If you are interested in any of the devices below, click on the links to learn more about them/or purchase them.

• Univox Loop Amplifiers:  Room loop amplifiers. Hook the Univox up to an audio source (e. g. TV) and listen to beautiful clear sound from anywhere inside the loop via the t-coils on your hearing aids. To learn more about the Univox loop systems or to purchase one for yourself, click here.
  
   
• Counter Loop Systems:  Counter loop systems are ideal for use at bank counters, pharmacy counters, checkout counters and ticket windows. Plugs into A/C power so it is always on ready to use whenever needed. Comes complete with amplifier, under-the-counter loop and microphone. To learn more about this Counter Loop System, or to purchase one, click here. Just $269.00.
  
   
• Clipboard Loop Systems: The Clipboard loop is such a simple idea and yet can make life so much easier for many in their professions when dealing with hard of hearing clients, staff or patients. All they have to do is carry around a stylish, ergonomically designed Clipboard that incorporates a fully portable loop system. It has an integral microphone, a transmitting loop, a tie-clip microphone and being a Clipboard it is also fully functional, accepting letter-size paper. To learn more about this Clipboard Loop System, or to purchase one, click here. Just $266.00.
  
   
• Portable InfoLoop System: Portable loop amplifier. Completely self-contained. Works up to 4 feet from the built-in loop. Weighs only 3¼ pounds with built-in rechargeable battery. Size 11" x 10" x 4". Has built-in omni-directional microphone on back and jack to plug in external microphone.
  
  The portable InfoLoop system includes the loop amplifier with built-in loop and rechargeable battery, battery charger power adapter and lapel microphone with 10' cord. 3-year warranty. Get the portable InfoLoop for yourself by clicking here. Price: $292.95.
  
   
• Passive Neckloop:  Plugs into any mono device's earphone jack and hear clear sound via the t-coils on your hearing aids. If you want to use it with a stereo device, you need Radio Shack's stereo to mono adapter #274-0374 ($2.99). Neckloops let you hear in both ears if you wear two hearing aids. To learn more about this passive neckloop or to purchase it for yourself, click here.
   
• Amplified Neckloop: If you need a versatile amplified neckloop, the CLA7 v2 is the neckloop for you. It comes with a number of adapters so it will work with both audio devices and cell phones. Only $79.95. To order the CLA7v2 amplified neckloop, click here.
  
   
• Clear Sounds Quattro Amplified Bluetooth Neckloop:  This bluetooth neckloop connects almost any Bluetooth device (cell phone, iPod, MP3 player, computer, PDA) with your hearing aids via their t-coils, or you can listen to it with any stereo ear buds.  Learn more about the Clear Sounds Quattro Amplified Bluetooth Neckloop—click here. Comes complete with rechargeable battery, drop-in battery charger, wall power adapter and padded carrying case—all for just $149.95. (Regular price $199.95. You save $50.00) To order the Clear Sounds Quattro Amplified Bluetooth Neckloop, click here.
  
   
• Music Links:  Plug into any stereo audio device's earphone jack and listen to beautiful clear sound (in true stereo) via the t-coils on your hearing aids. (If you want to use it with a mono device such as the PockeTalker, use Radio Shack's 3.5 mm (1/8") mono to stereo adapter #274-882 ($3.99). To learn more about the Music Links, or to purchase them, click here.
   
• T-Links:  Plugs into any cell phone that has the standard 2.5 mm hands-free jack. (Adaptors available for phones without standard 2.5 mm jack.) Works with your hearing aids in t-coil mode. For more information or to order the T-Links, click here.
   

For more information, email: info@hearinglosshelp.com