With the flip of the hearing aid’s telecoil switch, any sound distance between a speaker on a podium and the listener in that auditorium is eliminated, allowing the hearing aid user to hear the speaker clearly and without background noise. 

Welcome to this hearing loop information website

For many, hearing aids, no matter how new the hearing aid or CI technology, how well they were fitted and no matter how well they work in quiet and intimate situations, do not provide effective assistance when listening from a distance, both in quiet and in noise. This is not the fault of the technology of the hearing aid – this is due to the physics of sound and often due to the very nature of hearing loss. That is where hearing loops via the telecoils in hearing aids can help. 

• For hearing aid users: This website is meant to give you the means to hear better with hearing aids you already own. Better hearing than you ever thought possible! Yes, there is hope for most users to hear better in places where sound is broadcast, be it in your TV room, church, in theaters or meeting rooms. I dare say, you may hear better in a loop than the normal hearing person sitting next to you! Read the “Testimonials” of other hearing aid users. If this sounds like it could help you, become an advocate and read more on “How to promote hearing loops”. Email me for up to date information. Sign up for the Wisconsin Hearing Loss Association newsletter.
   
• For audiologists and hearing care providers: I am glad you found this site. Please read the “Information for Audiologists” and feel free to contact me for handouts and materials for use in your office.
   
• If you want to make your church, temple or venue more accessible for people with hearing loss – I am happy to help you too. May I suggest you start reading the “Information for Churches or businesses?” If you have questions or would like a reprint of an article, let me know.

Want to start a hearing loop initiative in your community?
Watch an on-line webinar here. Don't forget to turn on the captions!

Useful links to help you loop your community:
For a handout on how to procure a hearing loop for your facility 
For a Generic US Hearing Loop Specification
For a national list of theaters with hearing loops in place
For a national Assistive Listening Device Locator or to suggest a place that could benefit from a loop. 
For my blog on hearing aid technology and looping questions 
Read what users say about hearing loops
For a white paper on hearing loop technology: Click here or here.
YouTube Video Hearing Loop recordings: Out of the loop and In the Loop and for a recording in a church click here
For a list of hearing loops by state: Click here
Listen to NPR Radio program "All Things Considered": Click here

Useful links that pertain to Loop Wisconsin:
For a list of places that offer hearing loops in Wisconsin: Click here
For a list of loop vendors in Wisconsin: Click here

For a Video of a first hearing loop experience

Follow me on Twitter, Facebook or via my LoopWisconsin Blog 

     

For questions about hearing loops:  Dr. Juliette Sterkens

Quote:
“My daughter is lying on my lap right now. We are watching "Cupcake Wars." In our "pre-loop" days, she sat apart from us all, about two feet in front of the TV, so that she could hear better. It's so much better with her on my lap! Thank you for helping to make our world better! "


Our Mission:
To promote awareness and installation of hearing loops in Wisconsin and beyond.

Our Vision:
A world where hearing loops systems are common place.