Assistive listening devices for church7/21/2023 ![]() ![]() The system has other uses and benefits in addition to providing an enhanced hearing solution. That means church members can hear regardless of: Congregants wear a transceiver around their necks accompanied by an earphone to clearly hear what’s being said.Īn assistive listening system, is wireless, portable, easy to use, and compatible with hearing aids and cochlear implants. How do assistive listening devices work in this environment? A transceiver, transmitter, or streaming server interfaces with the source of the sound. Not being able to hear the service or communicate with other congregants can lead to dissatisfaction in these areas, potentially causing churches to lose members. They do not feel connected to the ministry or the church fellowship. ![]() The church is not meeting a physical, emotional, or spiritual need they have.Two of the top 10 reasons people stop attending a church are: Enhanced Hearing for Church Services and Events By offering assistive listening devices, places of worship create a more welcoming and inclusive environment where congregants can easily hear and participate in church services. The California Building Code and the Architectural Barriers Act in Texas both outline compliance laws that require religious facilities to provide ALDs.Īlthough ADA compliance is not required of most religious facilities, it is highly recommended. Both California and Texas have adopted ADA standards, including the standards regarding assistive listening devices (ALDs). Most places of worship are not required to comply with ADA standards with the exception of those in California and Texas. ADA Standards and Assistive Listening Compliance LawsĪccording to the 2010 American Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards, section 219 “requires assistive listening systems in public spaces where communication is integral to the space and audio amplification is provided.” The best solution is to provide individual assistive listening devices to people with hearing difficulties. The increased volume can actually make it more distracting and difficult to hear. Turning up the speaker volume isn’t necessarily better. In addition to poor acoustic conditions, congregants may need help hearing the sermon due to being seated far from the preacher, loud music and singing, restless children, rustling papers, and other competing sounds.Īlthough some churches use a sound system, and some congregants may use hearing aids, many individuals still struggle to hear and understand what is being said. In houses of worship, these sounds compound, making it difficult for people to clearly hear. Rooms with this type of construction, like sanctuaries, cause reverberation – when sound persists even after the original sound has stopped. Large, open rooms with high ceilings and hard flat surfaces are difficult listening environments, especially for people with hearing loss. Hearing difficulties in houses of worship are often caused by poor acoustics, sitting far from the preacher, loud music, or needing to sit in a crying room with a child.Īssistive listening devices ensure every congregant can hear the message and connect with their community regardless of hearing loss or acoustic conditions. Unfortunately, people experiencing hearing loss are often overlooked because it is an invisible disability without clear outward indicators.Įven without hearing loss, many people struggle to clearly hear in church environments. Imagine if 1 in 6 of your church congregants missed the inspirational message of the service because they could not hear. “If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.” Mark 4:23Įvery church attendee deserves to hear the message being conveyed during the service, however, some people may not be hearing the inspirational message and music of weekly church services.Īpproximately 15% US adults experience some degree of hearing loss. ![]()
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