Closed Topics: Assisted Listening Devices

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Assisted Listening Devices

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Topic: Assisted Listening Devices

Posted By: JDHaller
Subject: Assisted Listening Devices
Date Posted: 2/02/05 at 2:06pm

Our theatre is currently researching the possibilites of installing assisted listening devices.

Does anyone here have experience with this?

We've heard a rumor that if you provide one listening device, you have to be able to provide it for everyone. Is this true?

Thanks, John.

Replies:

Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 2/02/05 at 9:33pm

John investigate an ? Audio Hearing Loop?, this is an audio aid cable, that is installed around the auditorium or in certain seating sections!

Most picture houses & theatres have them - it aint el cheapo, but most audio bods know about them!

The punters switch their own hearing aids to tune in to your audio system.

This is probably what your after?

-------------
Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 2/28/05 at 6:13am

Gaffa is basically right! In its simplest form, just run out several loops of very heavy duty power cord in series (end-to-end) until the impedance measures around 4 Ohms then connected to a big-ish power amplifier (in the order of 250 - 400 Watts into 4 Ohms). That is fed from one of the SUM or MONO outputs from your mixer. As a courtesy to the users of the hearing-aid loop, I strongly recommend installing a dedicated compressor/limiter between the mixer and the amplifier, there-by reducing the dynamic range in the loop which should assist those with restricted hearing ability hear more of the show.

It is not necessary to cover the entire auditorium; just part of it (say 1/5 to 1/3 -- depending on seating capacity). Then you can promote the facility and those requiring it can ask and be so seated.

Cheers...

Posted By: dougb
Date Posted: 2/28/05 at 10:48am

Our local big theater uses an infrared hearing impaired system. They use a single mike over the stage, run the signal through a compressor-expander to keep the volume fairly constant then to two IR transmitters at the front of the house. They initially had six hearing sets for 200 seats. These are just IR receivers with headphones. They have those plus new recivers that allow direct connection from the receiver to the persons hearing aid. If the users have the right type of hearing aid, the quality is very good. Using the old headset style does not adjust the frequency response just makes the signal louder.

I have worked box office (which issues the hearing impaired sets) many times and we seldom give out over two or three sets. We hold the persons drivers license to insure we get the set back.

The system was donated by our local Lions Club.