It might be a question that few of us ask and why would we? Surely if there was an issue with our hearing loops then someone would tell us… Wouldn’t they?Well, put yourself in the position of a person who is suddenly taken aback by something they rely on simply not helping, or even making things worse.
Would a complaint be your first reaction or would you just feel bad and want to get out of there as soon as possible.
Exactly…
Now imagine someone feeling that way about your business or service, it isn’t a nice idea yet it does happen to the 1 in 6 of us in the UK who live with some form of hearing impairment. It can be avoided simply by ensuring your hearing loops are correctly installed, regularly maintained and periodically tested.
What are the legal requirements?
The Equality Act 2010 protects those who wear hearing aids as these individuals are classed as having a disability, that means that those who run businesses and provide services are obligated to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate disabled service users, customers and colleagues.
The act also tells us that information provided must be available in formats accessible to everyone so for example, Braille versions of documents and aids for the visually impaired and auxiliary services and aids for those who cannot hear.
It is also important to note that even the very best induction loop system is next to useless if no one knows it is there are how to operate it, so staff training is an excellent policy and adequate signage is mandatory.
Public buildings must also conform to certain parts of the Building Regulations, published by the Department for Communities & Local Government. Venues are expected to ensure that everyone can participate in activities such as concerts, lectures and presentations.
The Benefits for everyone
An inclusive, accessible service is a very good selling point for your business; it creates a positive image and a culture of accessibility that should make for happy customers and motivated, forward thinking colleagues. It also means you are guarded against claims of discriminatory practice.
Every building and every business are different, that means their hearing induction loop needs are different too. Clear Audio Systems develop, install and maintain every type, from portable induction loops to amplifiers, signal enhancers and vocal enhancement systems. We work with the smallest front desks to the biggest stadiums; get in touch today to see how we can help you.
