1. Get in the Loop Cape Cod! Better Hearing In Big Rooms Falmouth Library October 24, 2015

2. Today's Topics Better Hearing in a Big Room Hearing Loss Facts Need for Hearing Assistive Technology Assistive Technology Overview – Joe Beals Assistive Technology Installation – Shaun Crossen, Shanahan Sound What You Can Do – Penny Snow

3. Hearing Loss Facts Cape Cod's Older Population Barnstable County 28% over 65 yrs = 60,000 people Massachusetts 15% over 65 yrs = 1 million people About 1 in 3 people over age 65 have hearing loss = 20,000 people in Barnstable County Hearing worsens as you age. Aging baby boomer population will more than double in next 20 years. “Gray tsunami”. 2014 Census Bureau estimates

4. Hearing Loss Realities Across all age groups:  Veteran's returning from the Middle East  Teenagers who listen to loud music 1 out of 5 over age 12 have hearing loss.  Most common birth defect Invisible disability = lack of understanding  “Listen harder”... “Turn your hearing aid up” We try to fake it. (De Nile is not just a river in Egypt.) Hearing aids are not used by many who could benefit because of cost or belief it won't help.

5. Harsh Reality Research has shown that people need to get out and socialize for PHYSICAL AND MENTAL health. Result: We stay home.... If I am in a lecture hall and I can't hear, I feel that my time is wasted. A ramp will get you in, glasses will let you see, but a hearing aid won't let you hear everything!

6. Factors Affecting Hearing in a Big Room Things you can't change  Subject matter  Your attention  Clarity of speaker Things you can change Distance from speaker Ambient noise Reverberation

7. Distance From Speaker Affects Hearing People with normal hearing can hear from 20-30 feet away. With a hearing aid, you can hear from 6 to 10 feet away. Think of yourself in a hearing bubble. Assistive devices can increase the size of the bubble.

11. Move closer to the speaker or Move the microphone closer to you How can you hear better?

13. Hearing Loops Magnetic induction loop of wire Works with your hearing aid or cochlear implant telecoil. Customized sound from your own device directly into your ear. No receivers or batteries for venue to manage International standard IEC 60118-4 Resolves distance, reverberation and ambient noise issues Invisible and discrete

14. Telecoils tiny metal rod surrounded by coils of copper wire. Designed first for telephone use. SETTINGWHAT IT MEANSPROsCONs T Only Telecoil on; microphone off Allows you to hear through ALDs and nothing else; good in noisy settings Cannot monitor your own voice M + T Microphone and Telecoil on Allows you to hear through ALDs AND HAs; Allows you to monitor your own voice and to hear seatmate. Might be distracting in noisy settings. Auto-T Automatic Telecoil Allows you to hear on Hearing aid compatible phone Will not work with loops, FM, IR without a manual override

15. Other Options for Big Spaces FM Radio waves Everyone needs a receiver Transmitter and receiver must be on the same channel Those with telecoils may need a neckloop. Infrared (IR) light waves Everyone needs a receiver Sound encoded as modulated invisible light Must have clear line of sign between transmitters and receivers. Must have no obstructions - - columns, people, etc.

17. In an ideal situation with professional installation

18. Making Assistive Technology Available... Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) A federal civil rights law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability. Became law in 1990 (25 years ago) and was amended in 2009. Title III requires auxiliary aids and services if doing so would afford an individual equal access.

23. Sources of Funding Cape & Islands United Way Community Investment Grants Kelley Foundation, Hyannis Local Lions Clubs Sertoma (Service to Mankind) sertoma.org Mass Commission for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

25. What Can Hard of Hearing People Do? Step outside of your comfort zone and tell people you have a hearing loss. Stop faking/head-bobbing. Tell people what you need. You have to let them know you are out there. Say--“I attended your program and could not hear,” or leave a card. Be comfortable with ALD including your hearing aid. Suggest sites to be looped. Join the HLAACC Loop Project.

26. With thanks to Peter Cook, Falmouth Library Catherine Shanahan, Shanahan Sound Juliette Sterkens, Hearing Loss Association of America In Memory of Betty Szeberenyi, Looping Advocate

27. Today's Topics Better Hearing in a Big Room Hearing Loss Facts Need for Assistive Technology Assistive Technology Overview Assistive Technology Installation – Shaun Crossen, Shanahan Sound What You Can Do – Penny Snow