- Loading…
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.
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:
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.
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:
In other words, assistive listening isn’t just a requirement, it’s a way to make everyone feel included.
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:
ALS solves these problems by transmitting audio directly from the source to the listener, eliminating many barriers that hearing aids alone can’t overcome.
An ALS typically includes three core components:
The result? Clear, direct sound that makes it easier to understand what is being said, follow presentations, and engage with a performance.
Assistive listening isn’t only for people with severe hearing loss. Our systems benefit a wide range of listeners, such as:
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.
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.
