Wired for Sound
Since the introduction in 2004 of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) most publically accessible buildings – including educational establishments – have sought to meet their social and legal obligations. Most have introduced a range of equipment to assist visitors in a variety of ways – access ramps, Braille signage, hearing assistance systems and so forth.
The education sector (schools, universities, colleges) has had to face a particular set of challenges, operating as they do from a range of buildings (sometimes off-campus). Coupled with the wide age range of students and the frequent use of equipment, it has been difficult to find a “one-size fit’s all” solution.
The importance of the spoken word in teaching is well documented. In fact, studies show that students that hear better in the classroom, perform better in the classroom. Empowering students with the right technology can be the difference between learning and not learning.
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Many educators understand the importance of facing students wherever possible – particularly important for the hearing impaired. Most learning establishments ensure that the teaching staff knows that there are likely to be students who may be using some form of hearing system and training is given to the particular type of system(s) that have been installed.RSBi Football Match Scores Almost 2k For Children's Charities
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The most successful solutions in a learning environment seem to be those that ensure that everyone in the classroom can hear, without distraction and at a volume that accommodates their hearing needs.
A number of manufacturers now provide a range of solutions to assist schools and universities to provide the best possible education experience to their students.
At its most simple; the room can have a loud speaker system which amplifies all of the teacher’s speech. Whilst this can work, it is considered a primitive answer and it is very difficult to achieve the correct sound level for everyone in the room.
One answer is a system that only amplifies audio to a particular part of the room, but this requires the student to sit in that area and it does not help in noisy surroundings or where there are other distractions.
Portable Induction Loop
A portable induction loop system can be used, if the student uses a “T” switch compatible hearing aid.
Induction Loop
Induction Loop systems have been widely used for many years, but are less popular in classrooms that are in close proximity to other classrooms as the signals can leak from one room to another, although on the more modern systems these issues can be resolved.Infra Red
Infra Red equipment provides high quality audio by filling the room with invisible IR light. Students are issued with a headset or a body-pack receiver connected to a small, personal induction loop (for “T” switch compatible hearing aids) or walkman style headsets.
For larger classrooms or lecture halls, educators could consider using an infra red (IR) system - Students use headset or body-pack style receivers equipped with headphones (or earphones) to hear the teacher speak. The teacher uses a microphone (typically a hands-free design) which is connected to an IR emitter which broadcasts throughout the classroom or lecture hall. Any student in the room will hear the teacher clearly and easily, and they can adjust the volume to meet their own, specific hearing assistance needs. Because the student’s receivers are wireless, they are free to sit anywhere within the room and they can move around freely.The added advantage for establishments with multiple rooms is that the students simply carry their receiver with them and can use any suitably IR equipped room.
The system is also compatible with recording devises and many universities issue students with MP3 recording devises so that the lecture can be replayed at a convenient time - or lectures that are missed can be listened to later.
Infra Red Headphones & Infra Red Body Pack receiver
IR Headphones have been evaluated by a number of relevant organisations for the disabled and have met with wide acceptance – they are comfortable to wear, have separate volume controls for left and right (so users can set to a comfortable level) and provide excellent audio quality. They also work well with the latest in digital hearing aids.
But the fashion conscious student may well favour their own headphones (they are fully compatible with any MP3 player’s headphone or earphone) in which case the body pack receiver may be preferable.
Some universities now issue their students with the relevant receiving equipment at the beginning of the course and the student returns at the end of their education – which resolves any hygiene issues.
www.soundassociates.co.uk
Tel: +44(0)20 8939 5900
