Breaking Down Barriers: The Basics of Assistive Listening Systems

Imagine attending a live performance, a worship service, or a school lecture, only to find that you can’t hear what’s being said. The voices are muffled, distant, or drowned out by background noise. This scenario is all too familiar for many, and you may be surprised that it is not only people who experience severe hearing loss.

Many take for granted hearing clearly in public spaces. But even with hearing aids or cochlear implants, environmental factors like acoustics, distance, and noise can make understanding speech difficult. That’s where assistive listening systems (ALS) comes in; these systems are designed to help individuals hear clearly, creating inclusive environments where everyone can fully participate and engage.

In this blog post, we’ll explain what ALS is, how it works, the different ALS technologies, and why it’s essential for spaces that value accessibility and a better hearing experience for all.

What Is an Assistive Listening System?
ALS is a wireless audio solution that delivers clear, intelligible sound directly to a listener. Unlike sound systems that amplify sound for the entire room, ALS is personalized. It isolates the desired audio and sends it direct to the individual’s ear, cutting through noise, distance, and poor acoustics.

These systems are beneficial not only for people with hearing loss but also for anyone who needs help hearing clearly in environments where sound quality is compromised. They are commonly used in a variety of public and private spaces, including, but not limited to:

• Theaters or performance venues
• Churches, temples, mosques, or other places of worship
• Classrooms, auditoriums, or lecture halls
• Corporate meeting rooms or training spaces
• Museums or guided tours
• Stadiums or arenas
• Courtrooms or legislative chambers

In many of these settings, assistive listening is not just a nice-to-have feature; it’s a requirement under accessibility regulations like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), California Building Code (CBC) and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – Articles. 

Accessibility and Inclusion: More Than Compliance
For venues and organizations, providing assistive listening isn’t just about following the law; it’s about creating welcoming spaces where everyone can participate in. Such as:

• Creating inclusive experiences, allowing individuals with hearing difficulties to enjoy events and services fully.
• Improving satisfaction, particularly in venues or spaces where audio clarity is essential for enjoyment and understanding.
• Demonstrating commitment to equity, accessibility, and community engagement.

In other words, assistive listening isn’t just a requirement, it’s a way to make everyone feel included.

Why Hearing Aids Alone Aren’t Enough
Modern hearing aids and cochlear implants are great in many ways, but they do have limitations. While they amplify sound and filter certain frequencies, listeners may still struggle with:

• Background noise in crowded or loud environments.
• Distance from the sound source, such as a speaker on stage or a lecture.
• Room acoustics, particularly in large spaces with echo or poor sound treatment.

ALS solves these problems by transmitting audio directly from the source to the listener, eliminating many barriers that hearing aids alone can’t overcome.

How Assistive Listening Systems Work
An ALS typically includes three core components:

1. Audio Source and Transmitter: This could be a microphone or an audio feed from a soundboard that captures the desired sound. The transmitter typically sends the audio wirelessly.
2. Receiver: The listener uses a personal device or dedicated receiver, which picks up the transmitted signal. This could be a dedicated receiver or, with some systems, a smartphone.
3. Listening Accessory: Depending on the system and the user’s preference, this might be headphones, earbuds, or a neck loop for use with telecoil-enabled hearing aids and cochlear implants.

The result? Clear, direct sound that makes it easier to understand what is being said, follow presentations, and engage with a performance.

Assistive Listening Solutions:

• Auri™ uses Bluetooth® Auracast™ broadcast audio technology to provide accessible, high-quality audio directly to users’ Auracast™ enabled devices. This solution is perfect for public spaces where individuals with hearing loss or those needing enhanced sound clarity want a personalized listening experience. Auri™, developed in partnership with Ampetronic, allows listeners to fully engage with lectures, presentations, performances, and events through their own device, or a receiver provided by the venue, making it ideal for inclusive environments like worship spaces, theaters, and educational settings.
• ListenWIFI allows users to access audio directly through their smartphones, making it ideal for public spaces where personal devices are already in use. Users can connect via a dedicated Wi-Fi network and listen through an app, offering a personalized listening experience in large venues like theaters or sports arenas. (Click here to learn how ListenWIFI is used for ADA compliance.)
• ListenRF utilizes radio frequency technology. ListenRF products are perfect for large venues where clear sound distribution is crucial. With a range of up to 3,000 feet, these systems allow users to hear every word, even in noisy environments.
• ListenIR is our infrared system that offers interference-free audio transmission in secure settings for spaces requiring privacy. This technology is ideal for venues that limit audio transmission to specific rooms, like courtrooms or corporate meeting spaces.
• ListenTALK is designed for interactive portable ALS group communication; ListenTALK supports one or two-way communication with unmatched flexibility. This system is perfect for tour groups, training sessions, and classrooms, where communication between participants is essential.
• Hearing Loop or induction loops are used to transmit audio in specific, pre-designated areas. Hearing loops transmit audio through copper wires ‘looped’ around a particular area. Audio travels from the source through the loop and is picked up by a t-coil equipped with a hearing aid, cochlear implant, or hearing loop receiver. Hearing Loops provides seamless compatibility with telecoil-equipped hearing aids and cochlear implants. See how our hearing loop is being used at Sydney Opera House.

Who Benefits from Assistive Listening?
Assistive listening isn’t only for people with severe hearing loss. Our systems benefit a wide range of listeners, such as:

• People with mild to moderate hearing loss
• Older adults experiencing age-related hearing challenges and changes
• People who speak English as a second language and need clearer audio to follow presentations
• Attendees seated far from speakers or audio sources
• Individuals in environments with high background noise

These are just some of the many challenges that people face. By addressing these challenges, ALS empowers listeners to feel more confident, included, and connected, in any environment.

Delivering More Than Just Sound
With more than 20 years of experience, Listen Technologies is a trusted leader in the assistive listening industry. Our solutions are designed to deliver a better hearing experience, ease of use, and consistent performance because accessibility should never be complicated or out of reach. Whether you’re equipping a small meeting room or a large venue, we’ll work with you to design a system that ensures every listener feels heard, included, and connected.

Ready to make your space more accessible and inclusive? Contact our team today to find the right assistive listening solution for your venue.