There are two types of legislation that affect induction loops, firstly disability access legislation, secondly performance standards. The area can be complex, so please contact our support team or your local distributor for help if you need specific advice.
Disability Access
In many countries legislation exists or is coming into force to provide equal access to the hearing impaired. In the UK we have the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), in the US there is the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) and similar equivalent legislation is found around the world. Each act has it’s own requirements, some mandating the use of assistive listening, some actually mandating the use of induction loop systems. Ampetronic and its international distributors can give detailed guidance on how regional legislation affects you.
In general, legislation tends to demand solutions where it can be shown to be reasonable that equal access can be provided. Induction loops are often the most practical, cheapest and lowest maintenance solution for giving good quality access to the hearing impaired, and is therefore becoming the mostly widely adopted solution around the world.
UK legislation is discussed in detail on this government website.
Induction loop performance standards, IEC60118-4
In 2007 the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) produced a heavily revised standard – IEC 60118-4 – for the performance of induction loop systems in any assistive listening application. This standard is being adopted across the world as the reference for loop system performance. The standard can be accessed from your regional standards association or from here.
Ampetronic believe that all installations should meet the requirements of IEC 60118-4. For this to be possible the standard must be considered during specification, design, installation and maintenance of the system. Please consult our note on IEC60118-4 for advice on how the standard affects you.
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A major revision of the Audio Induction Loop performance standard means better hearing assistance for the hearing impared. It also changes the way that loop systems are specified, designed, commissioned and maintained. This guide provides you with all the information you need to ensure that you meet the new standards. |
Free entrance on 31st Jan - 2nd Feb 2012 using out promotional code
Ampetronic will be exhibiting at the Institute of Sound and Communications Engineers Exhibition and Seminar Day, Tuesday 28th February 2012, 9.30am -5pm
