imotion Outdoor LCD Signs Accessible for Everyone
Hearing loss is a more common problem that we are aware of. Research from 2006 found that approximately 22% of the European population was estimated to have some degree of hearing loss. In the EU, 34.4 million adults have disabling hearing loss (35 dB or greater).
Hearing loss has a significant detrimental impact on the overall quality of life. As a manufacturer of outdoor LCD signs, we feel a responsibility to be a small piece in building accessible infrastructure for all populations.
An interesting fact is that, on average, three out of four people with disabilities walk away from businesses – including interactive digital signs, banks, restaurants, and transport companies – due to a lack of disability awareness and poor service.
Interactive outdoor totems are often located in public areas and serve to provide information and services to the community. To ensure that they fulfill this purpose to the fullest extent, it is essential to establish clear and effective communication with all populations, including commuters who are hearing impaired.
Hearing Loop
Hearing loops, also known as induction loops, represent an assistive listening technology designed to address hearing aid challenges in public spaces. Hearing aids amplify all sounds, and in noisy environments, individuals with hearing loss may find it challenging to distinguish the specific speech, music, or conversation they wish to hear. Hearing loops enhance communication by allowing users to directly hear sound sources, effectively cutting out background noise.
How Do Hearing Loops Work?
A hearing loop, also called an audio induction loop system, consists of one or more physical loops of cables, which are placed in a dedicated spot (room, building, or interactive totem). The cable generates an electromagnetic field through the looped space, which can be picked by the telecoil in a hearing aid, a cochlear implant (CI) processor, or a hand-held hearing loop receiver.
The benefit of such technology is that allows a sound source of interest. For example, it allows a hearing-impaired listener, to freely use audio interactive outdoor digital signs free of other distracting noise in the environment.
Invisible Hearing Loop as an Add-on
The Imotion Digital Hearing Loop System features a built-in coil, allowing it to broadcast over a wider height range with a strong signal and minimal interference. With its EDGE GLASS design, there is no need for the perimeter to be built into the floor or on visible parts of the totem to facilitate communication. Instead, it can be seamlessly integrated behind the double-layered 4+4 mm protective glass covering the upper front part of the outdoor digital sign.
Hidden Hearing Loop with EDGE glass design
The hearing loop service can be activated effortlessly by users through the activation of the 'T-Switch' on their hearing devices.
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