WHY ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES?
Many people with hearing loss who benefit from the use of hearing aid(s) can function in quiet, close or person-to-person situations. However, background noise, long distances to the sound source, and reverberation degrade intelligibility much faster for people with hearing loss, whether they wear hearing aids or not. Thus, people with hearing loss are often prevented from participating on equal terms with normal hearing people in group conversations or in larger assembly areas which are not equipped with an assistive listening system. Even the best in sound systems technology combined with the best in hearing aid technology cannot solve the intelligibility problems faced by people with hearing loss. In recognition of this, requirements for assistive listening systems were included in the Americans With Disabilities Act Information (ADA 1990). Although many assistive listening devices may also be obtained for personal use, it is important to understand the rights of people with hearing
