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What Are Assistive Listening Systems?

Assistive Listening Systems (ALS), also called Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs), enhance hearing for individuals with any degree of hearing loss. Commonly used in public venues like theaters, museums, and schools, ALS ensures sound clarity by transmitting audio directly to the user, bypassing ambient noise and distance.

These systems include devices such as FM systems, infrared systems, and hearing aid-compatible receivers, making them suitable for both hearing aid users and non-users. ALS complements hearing aids by improving the "speech-to-noise ratio," providing clearer sound in environments with high ambient noise.

Key Differences: Assistive Listening Systems vs. Hearing Aids

While both devices amplify sound, their purposes differ:

• Hearing Aids: Designed for personal, daily use and tailored to the individual's hearing loss.
• Assistive Listening Systems: Ideal for public spaces with ambient noise, like theaters, schools, houses of worship, and meeting rooms. These systems transmit audio directly to headphones or neck loops for hearing aid users.

Assistive Listening Systems for Different Settings

1. Schools and Classrooms:
   ALS helps students with hearing loss focus better in noisy classroom environments, enhancing their educational experience.

2. Public Venues and ADA Compliance:
   Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), venues like theaters, municipal buildings, and houses of worship must provide ALS to improve accessibility for individuals with hearing loss.

Types of Assistive Listening Systems

1. FM Systems:
   These systems use radio frequency to transmit sound to receivers. FM technology is reliable indoors and outdoors, making it a popular choice for various venue sizes.

2. Infrared Systems:
   Using infrared light, these systems transmit sound within enclosed spaces, offering a secure, interference-free solution. They are ideal for small rooms but not suitable for outdoor use due to sensitivity to sunlight.

Benefits of Assistive Listening Systems

ALS ensures that individuals with hearing loss can fully participate in events and activities by delivering crystal-clear audio directly to their ears. Whether in a classroom, theater, or conference room, these systems eliminate the challenges of noise and distance.

For ADA-compliant venues or personal use, our assistive listening systems provide unmatched clarity and accessibility.

FAQs About Assistive Listening Systems

What’s the difference between an assistive listening system and an interpretation system? They look identical to me.

The main difference is its intended use: an assistive listening system is meant to transmit the original floor audio at an amplified voice for people that are hard of hearing or in noisy environments and an interpretation system transmits the voice of the interpreter speaking in a different language than the main speaker. In practical terms, the difference is that an assistive listening system does not include a microphone since the transmitter uses the venue’s PA system as an audio source. Additionally, fully ADA compliant assistive listening systems need to include at least one tele coil neck loop to connect FM receivers to hearing aids with t-coil and also an ADA plaque showing the venue is in compliance with ADA regulations.

Our auditorium is pretty big, how long is the range in these systems?

The range depends on the brand and model of the transmitter included in the system as well as on the type of transmitter, whether it’s stationary or body pack. We recommend systems that feature stationary transmitters such as the Enersound T-500, which has a range of up to 500ft with the included antenna and it’s expandable up to 1000ft with an external antenna. Body pack transmitters usually cover a shorter range of up to 150 ft.

How can I calculate how many receivers we will need to be ADA compliant?

We have an ADA compliance calculator on our site, accessible via this ADA compliance calculator. By entering the maximum capacity in your assembly area, the calculator will provide with the number of receivers and neck loops you should have available at any given time for your audience.

I already have a transmitter/receivers from a system we purchased in the past, will they be compatible with the system you sell?

If your old system works in the 72-76 MHz band, it should be compatible with Enersound assistive listening systems. You will be able to mix and match receivers and transmitters without any issues.

The portion of our audience that needs assistive listening is usually elderly people who are not savvy with technology, are your devices simple enough for them to manipulate?

Yes, of course the audience won’t have access to the transmitter, only to the FM receivers, and these are extremely easy to use, since only one channel is used in assistive listening when you hand them the device, they will already have it tuned to that channel, so all that remains for the end user is to adjust the volume with a push of a button and put on their headphones.