Holiday Traditions

/0 Comments/in /by

It’s the season of snow flurries, ice skating, gifts, and family. A season to come together as friends and family.

At Listen, our team has created numerous traditions, from a holiday potluck to cheeseball making competitions to the executive breakfast where the executive team dons on aprons and makes breakfast for the entire company!

We asked our Listen Employees to share some of their favorite holiday traditions and this is what some of them had to say:

“One of my favorite Christmas traditions is helping others. I am beyond blessed with a supportive family and more than I could ever hope for, I know there are so many families that don’t have anywhere to turn in times of need, even for basic necessities. We choose a family each year and buy groceries and a few ‘wanted’ items that are delivered on Christmas Eve, which is incredibly rewarding.”

“Driving around the valley to find Christmas lights & watching Christmas Movies, especially National Lampoons Christmas Vacation.”

“Harry Potter Marathon Every Christmas!”

“Staying downtown at the Grand America for the weekend before Christmas with my family and going ice skating, to the lights, and opening Christmas Pj’s at the hotel.”

“Time with my family, hands down. I’ve never understood the animosity towards kids being out of school for two weeks – I love having my children home for two weeks. The magic of the holidays in a child is unparalleled. Whether it’s taking the kids to the mountains to cut down a tree, the decorating, cooking, sharing holiday cheer with family and friends – it’s a time for memories to be made.”

“Overnight bubble bread on Christmas morning, caroling to neighbors in the cold, finding the coolest holiday lights (have you seen our very own Guy’s awesome display?)”

“Unwrapping one gift on Christmas Eve.”

“Watching Christmas Vacation with the family.”

 

We wish all a Happy Holiday Season.

 

 

 

Tool Spotlight: 3 Ways you can use the ALD Locator

/0 Comments/in /by

Tip 1: Find venues equipped with assistive listening devices near you

Wondering if your church has assistive listening technology? Simply search the name or address on the ALD Locator mobile app or www.aldlocator.com! If it’s listed, your church will show up in the results with the specific type of device available. You can also search by zip code for all the churches, theaters, schools, and more that are equipped with assistive listening devices around you.

Tip 2: Request devices be made available at your favorite venues

“The venue I’m looking for didn’t show up.” This is the beauty of the ALD Locator, there’s a way to make that happen! Simply click Request a Listing at the top of the page. Request a listing allows you to request that a specific venue install an assistive listening system, once the request has been submitted, the venue will be contacted. Make sure to enter the correct info for the venue and click needs devices before you submit. After all, public places where amplified audio is broadcast are required by law to provide assistive listening for their guests.

Tip 3: Submit a location

If you know of somewhere that has assistive listening available, but you don’t see it listed on the ALD Locator, you can submit the information so others can find it. Start by hitting the Request a Listing button at the top of the page, enter the correct information for the venue, click has devices, then submit.

Listen Technologies’ Combo Compliance Systems

/0 Comments/in , /by

If you could increase your business up to 20% by doing one simple thing, would you do it?

Inclusion has become one of the major values in modern society. We provide drivers tests in multiple languages. There are buttons to automatically open doors. We even provide pet life insurance. Yet, there’s a very important accommodation many businesses are neglecting.

The US Census (census.gov) is an analysis of our population of over 300 million, and it gives statistics on different ethnic and minority groups to help us better understand the needs of our citizens. There is one group whose percentage of the population eclipses any “minority” group in the US, yet seldom are accommodations available for their needs. Not only that, this particular demographic will typically embrace any businesses who would include one simple and relatively inexpensive need.

Did you know that 1 in 5 people worldwide suffers from measurable hearing loss? 1 in 5. That’s 20%. Compare that to the approximately 0.17% of the population who have impaired mobility. Additionally, the needs of the hard-of-hearing are covered by Federal Law under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Fortunately, there is an easy and relatively inexpensive way to include your customers with hearing loss.

By law, any venue in which audio amplification is integral to the use of the space, assistive listening MUST be provided. That means if you are a convention center, sports arena, movie theater, or any public space that uses a public address system you need to provide assistive listening devices. The most common assistive listening systems use either radio frequency (RF) or infrared (IR) to broadcast audio to a receiver that your customer checks out during their visit. And although required by law for many venues, it can be cumbersome to use–no one knows where to check out receivers, and when they do find them, the receivers don’t work or have broken headsets.

A better, more inclusive system lets your customer decide how they utilize your assistive listening system. Modern hearing aids can pair to smartphones via Bluetooth allowing hard-of-hearing customers to listen to audio through their own phones. What if you could deliver your own, custom audio content directly to them, on a device they already have in hand?

Enter Listen Technologies’ Combo Compliance Systems. Combo Compliance systems include the federally mandated assistive listening solution of your choice, whether it’s RF, IR, or Hearing Loop, and combines it with a powerful WiFi system that streams audio directly to a person’s smartphone via a free app that you customize, and they download. Now, you can not only satisfy ADA assistive listening requirements, you can enhance your customer experience by providing high-quality audio content streamed directly to your customer anywhere in your business. And with approximately 2.5 billion smartphones in use today, you get a tremendous return on investment. Combo Compliance systems are easy to install, and the WiFi servers can be connected to your existing wireless network by your own IT professional.

With Listen Technologies’ Combo Compliance systems in place, you are actively inviting 1 in 5 people, 20% of the population, into your business with a simple and inexpensive solution.

Contact one of our assistive listening experts today at 1.800.330.0891.

We are Thankful

/0 Comments/in /by

We asked our employees what they are most THANKFUL for, and this is what some of them had to say:

“So many things!!! I’m thankful for my family, friends, and co-workers who are also my friends. Thankful for a roof over my head and food on the table. Thankful to work for an employer who cares about their employees. Thankful to have a husband that is a support to me and our kids. Thankful for our soldiers and police officers. Thankful to be an American! I could go on and on.”

“I am most thankful for my beautiful and kind wife as well as our three amazing children.  A close second is a JCW’s Jalapeno Bacon Cheeseburger…yum!”

“I am thankful for my family (seriously, my family is the bomb), some pretty amazing friends, and co-workers that make coming to work something I look forward to. Life throws us curve-balls, but surrounding yourself with people who support you through the rough times, inspire you to follow your passions, and push you to face your fears, makes it all worth it.”

“Traditions! I love keeping hold of the things I’ve done for as long as I can remember, just as much as I love finding new traditions that make this time of year feel so much bigger, warmer, and exciting! Also, my mom’s pecan pie. Which is the only noteworthy pecan pie in the world.”

“I am thankful for my health, and the health of those I love…for my kindhearted son who is everything to me…for my wonderful husband who makes every day feel like a holiday…for a beautiful house to call home…for loving family and friends who are always there for me…and for my awesome job at Listen!”

“I am thankful to work for a company who provides flexibility and respects work-life balance.  Oh and coffee!”

 

Happy Thanksgiving from the Listen Family

7 Accessories to Boost Your ListenTALK Experience

/0 Comments/in /by

The best tech accessories compliment any environment by adding functionality to the wireless communication device, increasing engagement, or both. Here at Listen Technologies, we believe in offering accessories that make our wireless communication products better and more functional for you. Here are our latest offerings for ListenTALK:

1. AAA battery compartment

  • What it is: An additional AAA battery compartment to compliment the rechargeable battery that comes standard with every ListenTALK device.
  • How it makes the device better: Offers an additional power source in case the rechargeable battery runs out during use, away from the charger.
  • Who needs it: Anyone who uses ListenTALK out in the field, away from the charger for an extended period. This offers a backup for tour operators and others who spend a lot of time with their ListenTALK systems.

2. Protective case

  • What it is: A silicone-compound case that protects the device’s back, sides, top, and bottom against damage.
  • How it makes the device better: Users don’t have to worry about damaging parts of the device in the case of fall.
  • Who needs it: Anyone using a ListenTALK system who’s worried about damage. Falls are unusual because the device is usually attached to a lanyard or clip and headphones or headset. This case offers additional peace of mind to the ListenTALK systems’ owner and users.

3. Cable management pocket

  • What it is: A Velcro cable management sleeve that holds cords while worn with a lanyard or clipped to a belt.
  • How it makes the device better: This pocket keeps cords out of the way. That eliminates the chance for cords to catch on something and damage the equipment.
  • Who needs it: Anyone using a ListenTALK system who wants to keep the device as safe as possible.

4. Metal D-rings

  • What it is: A ring attachment that allows for users to attach a custom lanyard to the device.
  • How it makes the device better: The metal D-ring gives owners the opportunity to add a lanyard of their choice.
  • Who needs it: Anyone who wants to customize or brand the ListenTALK devices to their company. For example, Disney has its own branded lanyards and wants to use them with its ListenTALK devices.

5. Smartphone cable

  • What it is: This cable connects a ListenTALK device to any smartphone, allowing a remote presenter to use the system.
  • How it makes the device better: The smartphone cable gives the wireless communication system the ability to have two leaders. The remote presenter becomes the leader, and the on-site presenter becomes the sub-leader. Because of the crystal-clear sound quality, there’s no need to shout over anyone or into a speaker. Group members can ask questions and have discussions with the remote leader, providing them with valuable information or skills they wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to gain.
  • Who needs it: The smartphone cable is especially useful for tour operators and anyone doing training. The tour group or class can add an expert to the group without needing the person to be on-site.

6. Mic input/headphone output cable

  • What it is: This cable splits the traditional receive/transmit function of a standard jack to use an independent mic and speaker.
  • How it makes the device better: Allows the system to transmit sound to a secondary room, not just to other ListenTALK devices.
  • Who needs it: Anyone doing training, translating or who needs to transmit audio to a secondary location. For example, a doctor performing surgery could use this cable to transmit crystal-clear audio to another room where medical students were observing the procedure. A translator could use this system to broadcast the translated proceedings of a courtroom or classroom.

7. Line/headset mix cable

  • What it is: A cable that allows the system to broadcast secondary pre-recorded audio or music to the devices.
  • How it makes the device better: Gives a ListenTALK system owner the opportunity to eliminate dead air. When group leaders or presenters aren’t speaking, they can switch over to music or another audio track.
  • Who needs it: Anyone who doesn’t like silence. Sometimes there’s a long pause between stops on a tour, and no one has a question, in training when class members are each given a chance to try a hands-on activity, or between translations. For example, Segway plans to use this new cable to play music and pre-recorded safety messages between tour stops.

 

We believe that the best tech accessories compliment any environment. That’s why we’re committed to offering wireless communication accessories that make ListenTALK better and more functional for you. If you’re ready to accessorize your ListenTALK system or want to give ListenTALK a try, call us today at (888) 296-1623 or go to listentalk.com!

ListenTIPS: 3 Ways to Become and Advocate for Yourself and Others

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Even though many countries have laws in place for mandatory assistive listening compliance, public awareness of these laws is inadequate. Many venues throughout the world still lack adequate systems to help the many people who have hearing loss. Here are some things you can do to build awareness and be an advocate.

1. Get Involved

There are many groups leading the charge to increase awareness, but they need your help. The Hearing Loss Association of America has a chapter in virtually every state and some states have several chapters. Find one in your area and get involved. They have incredible people and resources available to you. There are worldwide organizations, as well.

2. Speak Up

If you go to a venue where a public address (PA) system is being used, ask the facilities manager for an assistive listening device. If they don’t have one, make note of the facility’s address and fill out a complaint form. It’s only one page and only takes a minute. Here’s what can happen when people speak up.

3. Know Your Rights

Take some time to study your rights under the ADA. Knowledge is power, and being armed with information on your rights goes a long way, even if you only use it in casual conversation. It increases awareness; if people aren’t aware of a problem it can’t be fixed.

 

The biggest difference you can make is to speak up, don’t sit in silence, because you don’t have to. Be an advocate for yourself or for others who have hearing loss.

ListenTIPS: Protect your hearing in 4 easy steps

/0 Comments/in , /by

We live in a noisy world, with sounds that affect hearing all around us: traffic, machinery, and noisy groups of people. Then there’s the damage we do to our ears when we plug in headphones and jam to catchy tunes.

Our hearing is delicate and all this noise takes a toll. It’s no wonder that approximately 48 million people experience hearing loss in the U.S., making it one of the most prevalent health issues in the nation.

You don’t have to accept that you’ll lose your hearing. Here are four tips to safeguard your ears.

1.    See a Doctor

Never treat hearing loss lightly. A blocked ear or an earache may be a sign of an infection. If you leave an ear infection untreated, it may result in permanent hearing loss. Any ringing in your ears that lasts longer than a short period of time is also a sign of hearing loss.

Have a discussion with your doctor about your hearing concerns before you start a medication. Ototoxic drugs may lead to hearing loss. In many cases, the benefit of the drug outweighs the risk of temporary or permanent hearing loss. Ototoxic drugs include:

  • gentamicin (an antibiotic)
  • cisplatin and carboplatin (chemotherapy drugs)
  • quinine (for malaria)
  • aspirin
  • loop diuretics

2.    Keep It Down

Exposure to loud sounds will damage hearing. The hair cells in your ears turn sound into signals sent to the brain. If the noise is too loud, it damages the hairs, which never grow back. The National Institutes of Health say consistent exposure to sounds higher than 85 decibels can hurt hearing. The average conversation is 60 decibels, so 85 isn’t earth-shakingly loud. In fact, it’s about the same as heavy traffic in a city.

So, what’s louder than 85 decibels? If you’re using your earbuds at the maximum sound level, you’re probably pumping 105 decibels into your ears—doing severe and permanent damage. Guns and firecrackers hit 150 decibels, a police or fire siren is 120 decibels, and a motorcycle is 95 decibels.

Since you can’t stay at home all day in the sound of silence, what can you do to protect your ears?

  • Turn down the sound: One thing my mom taught me was to turn the volume down to zero then slowing turn it up, making lower volumes sound louder.
  • Limit exposure to loud sounds and machinery.

3.    Wear Protection

There are many people whose livelihoods depend on working with or around loud machines. Others live near noisy highways and relocating isn’t an option. If you can’t entirely avoid loud sounds, try wearing protective devices. Ear plugs, noise-canceling headphones, and ear muffs will protect your hearing.

4.    Give Your Ears a Break

Pretty much everyone these days owns a smartphone. Listening to music, podcasts, books, and more via earbuds can be motivating or relaxing, but remember, it can damage your ear. Consider taking short breaks from the sound. When you’re using your headphones or earbuds, take regular 15-minute breaks.

 

Millions of people around the U.S. and world live with hearing impairment. Health problems, medications, and the noise all around us lead to that hearing loss. To protect your hearing, talk to your doctor, turn down the noise, use protection and give your ears a break.

Communication + Hearing Protection

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

Factory tours are an ideal way to show investors, VIPs, the community and others the value of your business.

Noise in factories and plants is a significant issue.

Every year, 22 million people are exposed to noise at work that’s so loud it can potentially cause permanent hearing loss. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration estimates $242 million is spent each year on workers’ compensation due to hearing loss. In 2017, OSHA fined businesses more than $1.5 million for not adequately protecting employees from noise.

Hearing protection is essential for everyone on the manufacturing floor, even those on factory tours. So how can you adequately protect your guests’ hearing while showing off your facility?

Hearing protection is vital for everyone

Loud noises can be dangerous. They can cause hearing loss—temporary or permanent. However, the extent of the damage is determined by the length of exposure and the noise level. Experts say noises above 85 decibels can cause permanent hearing damage. For example, a conversation usually is around 60 decibels. An idling bulldozer hits 85 decibels.

Loud noises damage or destroy hearing, but how? Inside the inner ear is the organ of Corti, which is responsible for hearing. It reacts when its microscopic hair cells are activated, ultimately stimulating the nerves for hearing, which carry sound to the brain. The frequency of the sound determines which and how many hair cells are activated. When you listen to loud noises, you can damage or break the hair cells. That, in turn, hurts your hearing.

Communication + hearing protection

When you’re hosting important people on factory tours, they need to be able to hear you. It’s also helpful if you can listen to them. However, you don’t want to take any chances with their hearing.

ListenTALK is the solution you need. This easy-to-use communication system is wireless and portable, and you determine what kind of headset to use. If you’re on a noisy factory floor, you can choose headphones that offer added ear protection. What makes it even better is the sensitive internal mic. Even on a noisy factory floor, you don’t need to hold it up to your mouth. All you need to do is wear it around your neck on a lanyard and push the talk button to speak. Plus, the tour leader unit isn’t the only one with a mic. Everyone on factory tours can talk to the leader and each other, for guaranteed clear two-way communication. It’s also lightweight, and guests can attach it to their belts or purses with a clip, or use a lanyard.

Because loud noises can permanently damage hearing, it’s important not to neglect hearing protection for everyone on your factory floor. That includes your guests on VIP factory tours. ListenTALK will help protect everyone’s hearing, while also providing crystal-clear communication. Are you ready to try a unit?

Adventure awaits with ListenTALK

/0 Comments/in /by

Have you ever experienced your tour from the perspective of your guests? Are you sure it’s as exciting as you think it is? We’re here to tell you that there’s always room to improve. Should you be adding a story? Maybe using a prop?

That’s a lot of questions, but really, how can you make your tour stand out?

It’s time to treat your tour like a performance, but not a one-person show. Nothing will kill a good tour mood faster than a tour guide delivering a no-interruptions-allowed monologue. Each tour should be different because each participant will add their own flair to the experience.

When starting your tour, make sure each attendee is hooked up to a ListenTALK device. Nothing foils the tour experience more than a tour guide that can’t be heard.

• Tell them a story. Good tour guides know the facts and retell them in a way that invokes excitement and involvement. Great tour guides will take you on an adventure through time and space.
• Know your flow. The bulk of your tours will be the same day by day but allow yourself to cater to the adventurous souls of your participants. You’re allowed to spend more time engaging them with the things they’re interested in and breeze through other parts of the tour. Don’t fear the flow.
• Set your script—then stray from it. The majority of your tours will follow the same script tour after tour but allow yourself to stray from the script. Take your time to create the tour narrative beforehand, then get to know your participants. When you allow your participants to engage in your storytelling, their questions and comments will help you personalize each tour.

Groups are more engaged when they can actually hear. You’ll be surprised that as each member of your group wears their own ListenTALK device, tour engagement will shoot through the roof. The back of your group will be just as enthralled with the adventure as the patrons in the front.

Taking your tour groups on an adventure will be more memorable than presenting them with a memorized monologue.

Now, go ahead. Take a risk. Tell a story. Adventure awaits with ListenTALK.

Members Rejoice: Churches Ask Congregants to Bring Their Phones to Service

/0 Comments/in , , , , , /by

Instead of asking parishioners to turn off their cell phones during worship service, what if they could use them to hear your sermon clearly, no matter where they are in the building, or how well they hear? Venues everywhere are embracing the omnipresent smartphone as an assistive-listening solution and using the devices to get churchgoers more involved in the service.

But how does that work? It’s simple: Wi-Fi. Streaming audio over Wi-Fi isn’t a new technology. However, recent advances improved the technology and reduced latency, so there’s basically no audio delay. That’s made streaming audio over Wi-Fi to smartphones the perfect solution for assistive listening as well as live audio. Here’s why you need it and how it works:

Build Connections
Delivering sound over Wi-Fi to devices parishioners already carry is a simple way to re-engage churchgoers who’ve felt disconnected because they can’t hear or understand.

Maybe you’ve got parishioners who spend parts of the service in the cry room or lobby with their children. Or maybe members of your congregation have hearing loss—statistics show that’s likely as high as 20 percent of your congregants. Perhaps your worship service is a popular place, and audio for overflow seating is an issue. Or do you have parishioners who need translation, but have no way to broadcast it? That means you’ve got people who can’t engage and won’t feel connected to the service. You can help them feel that essential spiritual connection through the power of Wi-Fi with audio delivered straight to their smartphones.

Simply Connect
Audio over Wi-Fi is not only easy for you to install and simple to use, but it’s also affordable. With a small investment—less than $800—churches can deliver clear audio to parishioners in the building with Audio Everywhere from Listen Technologies. All you need to do is connect your audio system—like a TV or microphone—to the local area network using a secure server. It may sound complicated, but it’s as easy as plug and play. Then parishioners connect to your Wi-Fi, download a free app to their smartphones, and start streaming audio. They can listen via their own headphones or earbuds. Or if they have Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids, they can stream straight to their ears. And it’s scalable, so that you can accommodate small groups or thousands of users.

Churches can use this as an addition to existing assistive-listening solutions, like radio-frequency systems and hearing loops. Or it can be a standalone assistive-listening solution. Congregants use their own smartphones and headphones, so there’s no equipment for you to buy, store, or maintain.

An audio-over-Wi-Fi system is affordable and easy to install, but invaluable for your members who struggle to hear.

Spread the Word
Once you’ve installed Audio Everywhere, it’s essential to help your parishioners know about the system.

● Publicize: Use your regular news bulletins and website to promote your new listening solution. Also, post signs and posters about the system.
● Teach: Train your staff and volunteers how to use the system and troubleshoot. That way they’ll be ready to show parishioners what to do and answer questions.
● Celebrate: Share the success of Audio Everywhere with online reviews and word of mouth. Laud your increased engagement and attendance at church services.

Streaming audio over Wi-Fi to smartphones is an ideal solution for assistive listening. So, embrace the power of the smartphone and help your parishioners connect with their worship community with Audio Everywhere from Listen Technologies. Go to www.audioeverywhere.com/assistive-church/ to get started today!

Listen Technologies
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...