4-Person Enersound Assistive Listening System with Neckloops and ADA Plaque (Limited Lifetime Warranty)

Assistive listening systems work by separating the different sounds and just delivering voice or speech into the ears. Each assistive listening device holds a different capacity to do this, known as “speech to noise ratio.” Assistive listening systems do not replace hearing aids, but they work as a compliment. These can be used for people with different degrees of hearing loss, even if they don’t use hearing aids and can be helpful in specific situations.

Since hearing aids can work with certain limitations in specific environments, assistive listening systems are a perfect complement for people with hearing loss, as they can greatly improve hearing capacity.

Main Differences between ALS and Hearing Aids

As we mention earlier, ALS and hearing aids are two different things. But what are the main differences between them? Both types of devices are meant to be worn on your ears, with the main purpose of amplifying sounds.

Hearing aids are small devices that go inside or behind the ear, they and are programmed and fitted to the ear of the user, according to the type and degree of hearing loss.

On the other hand, Assistive Listening Devices are mainly used in public places, where the amount of ambient noise is higher, and the source of the sound is usually positioned at a distance from the audience. Examples of these include theaters, movie theaters, convention centers, houses of worship, etc. There are different types of assistive listening systems designed to be used for people already using hearing aids or not. These usually look like a small handheld radio with a pair of headphones.

Thanks to ALS, people with different degrees of hearing loss can listen to sounds being broadcasted through a sound system, with the help of a receiver that can be connected to a neck loop (for people who use hearing aids with telecoil) or a pair of headphones for non-hearing aid users.

There are many different types of Assistive Listening Devices available on the market, being FM Systems and infrared systems the most common ones.

Assistive Listening Systems for Schools and Classrooms

We all know that classrooms are places where listening is really important, even though they tend to be particularly noisy environments. This makes ALS a strategic tool to help students with some form of hearing loss in their education.

Assistive Listening Systems for Venues

In 2010 changes to the Americans with Disabilities ACT (ADA) became a law, making assistive listening devices mandatory at any venue that offers sound as part of their experience. This includes Title II entities (state and local governments) and Title III entities (businesses and nonprofit organizations that serve the public.)

ALS can help turn the experience into an enjoyable one, by bringing sound straight from the source directly to the individual’s ear.

Infrared Assistive Listening Systems

Infrared Systems work by using infrared light waves (just like the remote controls do.) Sound is broadcasted from a transmitter to an infrared receiver using IR light waves. These are particularly sensitive to light (not recommended for outdoors) and cannot pass through walls.

The main components of an IR system are a modulator (that receives audio signals from the sound system), an emitter (that is used to transmit the audio signal to the receivers) and receivers with headphones or neck-loops. Sometimes a transmitter can replace an emitter and modulator into one device. This is particularly useful in small rooms.

FM Assistive Listening Systems

Frequency modulation (FM), also known as Radio frequency, uses radio broadcast technology as a transmission method to deliver sound.

The most common type of ALS uses this kind of wireless technology. FM Assistive Listening Systems consist of a set of receivers that can be used with earphones or neck loops and a radio transmitter, in charge of sending the radio transmission to the receivers.

FM technology is not affected by sunlight and can be used in different size venues.

Assistive Hearing Device, Assistive Listening Equipment Systems

Assistive Listening Equipment for your Communication Needs

An Assistive Listening Device is used to improve hearing ability for people in a wide variety of situations. Our assistive listening systems are expandable up to an unlimited number of receivers and can be used to improve comprehension by people who have difficulty hearing or understanding speech in various settings including meetings, houses of worship, movie theatres, schools, municipal buildings, etc. The audio signal is sent wirelessly straight to their ears, in order to avoid the degrading effects of noise and distance on speech intelligibility.