Free Tools & Resources
Free downloadable tools, resources and materials. Some materials can be mailed to you. Need something? Please let us know so it can be added.
On this webpage
General Information
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Colorado Telecoil Info Sheet. 2 page (pdf) and 4 page (pdf). Request via email. NEW
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About "Let's Loop Colorado." Link (1 page, pdf)
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Colorado Statistics: Age and Hearing Loss. Includes rural areas. 2019. (1 page, pdf)
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Guide to Understanding Hearing Loops Link (4 page, pdf). Ask for glossy paper brochure.
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Hearing Loops-Brainstormed list of venues. Link (1 page, pdf)
Standards
There are 3 types of wireless technologies that meet the ADA standards: hearing loops, IR, and FM. In contrast, Wi-Fi audio or Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) does NOT meet ADA standards.
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ADA Standards for Accessible Design (2010), Assistive Listening Systems
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IEC 60118-4:2014+AMD1:2017 CSV, Consolidated version. Electroacoustics - Hearing aids - Part 4: Induction-loop systems for hearing aid purposes - System performance requirements. What's most important is for a venue to require a "certificate of conformity." Link (website with full standards).
Hearing Loops and Telecoils: When will they become obsolete? Joint statement by 6 organizations. (2019) "While an accurate time estimate of a worldwide transition from an analog to a digital audio streaming system cannot currently be made, it is reasonable to believe that telecoils, hearing loops/assistive listening system usage will continue for the next 10-15 years and beyond." IHAC - International Hearing Access Committee. Link (1 page, pdf)
Individuals with Hearing Loss
Cards
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Ask your audiologist or hearing aid provider about telecoils Link (4 cards/page pdf)
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May I recommend you consider installing a hearing loop Link (10 cards/page pdf).
Tools
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Initial request letter template, with guidance/sample language. Request via email (Microsoft Word).
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Ways to encourage hearing loops-consumer. Request via email.
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For Colorado information please see
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What is an Audiologist? https://www.coaudiology.org/consumers/what-is-an-audiologist/
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Find an Audiologist https://www.coaudiology.org/consumers/find-an-audiologist/
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Venues
Tools-Venues Interested in Hearing Loops
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Best Practices for Hearing Loop Installation (2019). Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA). Link (2 pages).
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Good Practice Guide Hearing Loop Systems: A Guide to Best Practice for Service Providers (2016). International Hearing Loop Manufacturer Association. Link (11 pages, pdf)
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Sample Request for Proposal for Hearing Loop System. Link (4 page, pdf)
Tools-Venues with Existing Hearing Loops
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9 Best Practices to Maximize the Benefits (Self Assessment). Request via email (pdf).
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Feedback. Hearing loops are discrete. No one knows when a person is using the hearing loop, and that’s one of the benefits; however, the venue may thus think that their hearing loop isn’t being used. One idea is for the venue to solicit feedback. Link (1/2 page)
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Hearing Loops-Signage: Going beyond the ADA Standard. Link (1 page pdf)
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Slides to inform patrons/visitors/guests about hearing loop at beginning of meeting/event. Link (Microsoft PowerPoint)
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We have a hearing loop. Place in lobby to educate people. Template to adapt for your organization. Link (1/3 page Word)
Events (past)
"Getting It Right" Access and Functional Needs Emergency Management Conferences.
November 5, 2019 (Colorado Springs, CO) and November 7, 2019 (Montrose, CO) Flyer Link
Here in Colorado, we are working to make emergency management more inclusive of Colorado’s diverse communities and to integrate access and functional needs in all that we do. To build networks, knowledge, and resources around doing this work, Colorado's Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) is hosting it's first “Getting it Right” Emergency Management Access & Functional Needs Conferences.
Clear Sounds for
People with Hearing Loss