Let's Loop SRQ!

                                              Last Updated: February 02, 2012
 

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Let’s Loop SRQ! is our advocacy effort to get Hearing Loop Systems into local public venues to increase access for the 110,000 people in Sarasota and Manatee Counties with hearing loss.  We account for 16.1% of the local population and our incidence is the highest in the nation.

The Hearing Loop System is the only system that sends clear, superior sound from a microphone directly into a hearing aid or cochlear implant without interference.

This is the official sign designating a venue that has a Loop System. Note the capital white  “T” in the lower right corner. This designates a system that sends the sound directly to a T-Coil, a tiny wireless receiver that the hearing aid must have to receive the sound.

To learn more about hearing loops, see the following pages:

How Hearing Loops Work

How To Use Your T-Coil to Access a Hearing Loop

Local Venues with Hearing Loops

   For more information on hearing loops, contact Ed    Ogiba at 941-966-8999 or ed@groupefo.com.

How Hearing Loops Work

Hearing Loop Systems are the ideal solution for people who wear hearing aids or cochlear implants to hear better in theatres, churches, banks, restaurants and so many other public places. A hearing loop is the only system that sends the sound of a voice or instrument  from a microphone directly into a hearing aid or cochlear implant for the clearest, most superior sound currently possible. Popular for over 40 years in many European  cities, the system is starting to take hold in the U.S.

Hearing Loop Systems are very affordable and require no maintenance. The system simply entails an amplifier that is hooked up to an existing microphone or sound board that connects to an induction loop which is placed around the perimeter of the theatre, meeting room or area where an audience or congregation sits. The magnetic field created projects the sound directly to a T-Coil, a wireless receiver that acts a loudspeaker inside a hearing aid.

Most hearing aids come equipped with a T-Coil                   which is shown in the picture to the left. If you have never used your T-Coil, see below.

How to Use Your T-Coil

It is estimated that 70% of hearing aids in use today have a T-Coil.  Nearly 90% of all new hearing aids come equipped with one. The primary exceptions are the tiny aids, especially the all the way in the ear models. which do not have the space for one. A good rule of thumb to remember is overall hearing aid performance increases with the aid size.

Most T-Coils are accessible by flipping a switch on your hearing aid. In a few cases, the T-Coil is automatically engaged in the presence of a hearing loop system. In some other cases, your audiologist needs to activate your T-Coil bfore you can access it.

If you have never used your T-Coil, we recommend seeing your audiologist to confirm you have one and to learn how to engage it. If your aid doesn’t have a T-Coil, talk to your audiologist about adding one.

Once you have access your T-Coil, we suggest coming to one of our monthly meetings where we always have a Loop System to support the speakers.  Click  on  Meetings page. Another good venue to try your T-coil  witha hearing loop system is at checkout #1 at Whole Foods Market.

Most theatres in town could be looped soon. Learn how to use your T-Coil so you can enjoy these performances fully.                          

Local Venues with Hearing Loops

The first hearing loop system in Sarasota was installed in March 2011. Here are the public venues, which have a hearing loop, listed in order of installation.

North Sarasota Public Library (1) (2)                

Caragiulo’s Restaurant

Owen’s Fish Camp

Whole Foods Market (1)

Alderman Oaks Retirement Home  (2)

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

First United Methodist Church

(1) Best places to try a Loop

 (2) Venues available for group meetings                         

For more information, contact Ed Ogiba at 941-706-4312 or ed@groupefo.com.

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