Hearing loops help people to hear more clearly by transmitting a clean speech signal that can be picked up by a hearing device, such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant. However, users often find that hearing loops are not working correctly. Normally this is due to something simple, like the system not being turned on or a cable being unplugged.
This guide will show you how to check if a hearing loop system is working.
What you will need
You will need a loop listener. This is a small electronic device which contains a telecoil, like the ones found in hearing devices, a volume control, and a pair of headphones.
Loop listeners are sometimes called loop receivers or an induction loop test kit.
Our partner, Connevans, sells two models of loop listener.
If you purchase from Connevans through these links, RNID receives a 10% donation to help fund our vital work.
Some personal amplifier devices also include a telecoil and can be used as a loop listener.
Test procedure
- Turn the loop listener volume down to minimum.
- Plug the headphones into the loop listener.
On some loop listeners this will turn the device on. If not, turn it on.
- Put the headphones on and position the body of the loop listener in the location where you expect the loop signal to be picked up. This would usually be at head height.
- Start making sound.
If the loop is transmitting the signal from a microphone which is more than a metre from the position you are testing, ask someone else to talk directly into it. If no-one else can help, you could play sound through a portable loudspeaker. Try to position the loudspeaker where the talker would be and adjust the volume so that the sound is the same loudness as someone talking.
If the loop is transmitting the signal from a CD player or other multimedia source, you can just press play.
- Slowly increase the volume on the loop listener. If the loop system is working correctly, you should be able to hear clear sound through the headphones.
Things to check
If you cannot hear sound through the headphones, there are several simple things you can check.
- Are all the cables plugged in correctly?
- Is all the equipment turned on?
- Are any volume (also known as “gain”) controls set correctly?
- Does the loop listener have fresh batteries?
If you still cannot hear the signal through the loop listener, you can seek professional support from a loop installation company.
Our partner, Contacta Systems Ltd., makes, sells, and installs hearing loop equipment. RNID receives a 5% donation for every hearing loop system installed and referred to Contacta via our dedicated email address [email protected].
More information
Find out more about how to provide a hearing loop in your venue.