User guide

Report No. 211/14cncl
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Agenda Item 14.3.3
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A presenter uses a microphone which feeds to a hard wired transmitter, the audio is then
sent out into the room via a loud speaker. The hearing impaired can then use either a head
set or neck loop. The neck loops interact with a hearing aid device, when the aid is placed
in the 'T' position it is fed signal from the system.
Using a microphone makes this more versatile if you have more than one person speaking
as the microphone can be handed around the room and the hearing impaired person can
hear the conversation.
Hearing Loop (Induction Loop):
An induction loop system consists of an amplifier and a loop. The amplifier can be
connected to a sound source such as a PA system. It then amplifies the sound signal and
sends it out, in the form of an alternating current, through the loop. The loop itself consists
of an insulated wire, which is placed under the carpet and covers up to 95% of the floor.
When alternating current from the amplifier flows through the loop, a magnetic field is
created with in the room. If a hearing aid user switches his hearing aid to the T position, the
telecoil in the hearing aid picks up the fluctuations in the magnetic field and converts them
into alternating currents once more. These are in turn amplified and converted by the
hearing aid into sound. The magnetic field within the loop area is strong enough to allow the
person with the hearing aid to move around freely within the room and still receive the
sound at a good, comfortable listening level.
For both systems leaving a public address system powered up whilst the room is not in use
will significantly reduce the components lifespan as overheating will occur, in turn leading to
ongoing repairs. As part of the room hire, the contact person on the room hire contract will
need to ensure that the system is turned off at the end of the function.
Hearing Assistance Options
Quotes have been obtained from Word of Mouth Technology (Victoria) and Projection Plus
(Darwin).
Contact has been made with Disability Advocacy Service and Alice Audiology to see if there
is any business in Alice Springs who can provide this technology. Unfortunately there is no
business that provides these services.
Option 1 Basic Hearing Assistance:
Word of Mouth - $3,936.80 (Attachment A)
Projection Plus — referred to their technical experts who recommend not putting this system
into the Andy McNeill Room.
Option 2 Public Address and Hearing Assistance System
Word of Mouth - $12,750.60 (Attachment
B)
Projection Plus — $14,686.10 (Attachment C)
Hearing Loop Option
Quotes have not been obtained for a Hearing Loop system as the benefits and financial
commitments would not be favourable for Alice Springs Town Council.
The Hearing Loop is only suitable for a person who has a T switch on their hearing aid. A
Hearing Assistance system is more versatile where a person wearing a hearing aid can use
a personal neck loop, and a person who is hard of hearing can use a headset.
The financial impacts for Council include all carpet being removed to lay down the copper
cable over 95% of the floor. The carpet would then need to be re-laid without damaging the
cable.