Hearing Loops

In a free presentation, national expert Dr. Juiliette Sterkens, Au.D., discusses why hearing loss is such a challenging, isolating problem and how hearing loops in both community and personal spaces can dramatically increase access to music and the spoken word for people with hearing loss. This event is for people with hearing loss and their family and friends, church leaders, public facility and retail managers, architects and contractors, hearing and speech specialists, physicians, and anyone who is or will be impacted by hearing loss. 

Dr. Juliettte Sterkens, Au.D.

What is a “hearing loop” and how does it work? A hearing loop is an assistive listening technology for individuals with reduced ranges of hearing. It consists of a physical loop of copper wire which is placed around a designated area (such as concert halls, ticket kiosks, high-traffic public buildings, auditoriums, places of worship, courtrooms, meeting rooms, homes, and even taxis) that broadcasts a magnetic field throughout the space which can be picked up by any hearing aid or cochlear implant equipped with a generic T-coil, or “telecoil,” receiver (and most modern hearing aids and cochlear implants already are so equipped). Unlike other assistive listening systems, it does not require the use of a special headset. The loop allows the sound source—whether a musical performance, a speaker, or film—to be transmitted to the hearing-impaired listener clearly and free of other distracting noise. 

What:  Juliette Sterkens:  Hearing Loops: What is all the fuss about and why we should care? 

When:  Sunday, November 18, 2018   2:00 – 3:30 PM 

Where:  Jaqua Concert Hall, The Shedd Institute, 868 High Street, Eugene 

Cost:  Free 

The Shedd Ticket Office and Jacqua Concert Hall are looped. The Shedd will provide assistive listening devices for those without t-coil who wish to try out the system. 

Sponsors:  Hearing Associates – Sanid Ybarr, Au.D., Doctor of Audiology 

About the Shedd Institute:  Founded in 1991, The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts is a non-profit education and performance center that operates a community music school for all ages and provides more than 150 performances annually in a 70,000 square foot former church building in downtown Eugene. The Shedd Institute also manages its building for use by other cultural and educational organizations and community rites of passage. http://www.theshedd.org.