Your HEARING AUGMENTATION System
Necessary for Compliance
Time to test if it works properly......
If you are reading this, more than likely you require an operating Hearing Augmentation System, i.e a Hearing Loop, Infra Red or FM Transmitter to comply with the Australian National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 and meet the requirements the Disability Services and Inclusion Act 2023, and the Disability Discrimination Act in Australia.
Anecdotal evidence from Deaf and Hearing-Impaired clients tells us that somewhere between 80 to 90% of (older) installed systems ARE NOT USABLE! These technologies have served all well, but are showing their age (circa 1970's technology)
Very recently, new technology has been launched that meets the above compliance requirements and offer a far greater level of accessibility to a much larger percentage of your hearing impaired audience. These systems are more reliable, easier to use and more economical.
Clearasound will TEST & REPORT, REPAIR OR UPGRADE if required
ClearaSound will test your existing system to make sure it's working. If repairs are required, we will make a recommendation on whether to repair or re-install the hearing loop system, or upgrade to a more economical alternative. Recent advances in technology have made it possible to improving your engagement with ALL CUSTOMERS & ALL AUDIENCE at the same time as meeting your compliance requirements - now more affordably than ever.
Be AWARE of your current Australian Compliance requirements
National Construction Code (NCC) 2022:
Read section D4D8: HEARING AUGMENTATION, paragraph 1 & 2.
There are more systems now apart from the "last century" technology used in Hearing Loops that can deliver the compliance that you need.
Non-Compliance may result in a formal directive to enact rectification, or penalties if raised with the relevant state building authority. Non compliance may also pose a risk to insurance policy obligations – depending on the provisions proposed and agreed that include people with disabilities.
The Disability Services and Inclusion Act 2023
The Disability Services and Inclusion Act 2023 (DSI Act)** in Australia includes several provisions that indirectly or directly benefit the hearing impaired, key elements relevant to the hearing impaired include:
- Broadened Service Scope: The Act expands funding for disability supports beyond the NDIS, including services like communication aids, captioning, or Auslan interpreters, which are critical for the hearing impaired.
- Code of Conduct: Providers must adhere to a mandatory code ensuring safety, dignity, and non-discrimination, which includes accessible communication methods for people with hearing impairments.
- Inclusive Design: The Act emphasizes services that are "locally available" and "innovative," potentially improving access to hearing-specific supports in rural/remote areas.
Non-Compliance with the Act in the least may result in loss of an accreditation or certified compliance for services that include people with disabilities. Also, along with reputational risks, breaches may trigger court ordered compensation via the DDA (see below)
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)
This operates alongside the Disability Services
& Inclusion Act.
Being compliant with the DDA act means ensuring accessibility to communications for the hearing impaired.
Under the DDA, businesses, schools, places of worship and places where the public gather and receive information must provide reasonable adjustments (e.g. hearing augmentation systems, amplified phones) to prevent discrimination against the hearing impaired.
As you would be aware: Non-compliance is treated as unlawful discrimination, with potential court orders for corrective action, compensation or fines when a non-compliance issue is raised. Reputational damage is also a potential consequence.
CLEARASOUND WILL HELP ENABLE YOUR COMPLIANCE:
☑️ National Construction Code (NCC) 2022.
☑️ The Disability Services and Inclusion Act 2023
☑️ The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)
The Alternative to Hearing Loop Systems:
Consider Auracast– the new generation Bluetooth, or the New Generation Audio over WIFI that both offer a simple and seamless upgrade process. Your customers and audience will love it, and you will be fully compliant.
The Benefits:
☑️Best Practice Transition to new technology
- Assisted hearing will be available to an ever-growing percentage of your Audience, not just the ~2.5% via the current hearing loop, infra red or FM systems. This is because EVERY manufacturer of hearing devices is moving to the Auracast technology, and ALL mobile devices can receive WiFi.
- In addition, via new technology speakers and microphones tuned to your environment, the balance of your audience can connect without a device, a phone, earbuds or hearing assistance – they just hear better through a supported network of new generation speakers.
- Your organization will have access to the multitude of benefits for your customers and visitors from new technology – starting straight away.
☑️ Most economical package available
Your Current System....
Do you have the OLD Hearing Loop Telecoil System?
This is the MOST COMMON Hearing Augmentation system historically required by the National Construction Code(s).
DID YOU KNOW:
Customers who access it: must have a T setting on a hearing aid or a cochlear implant – this is prescribed by their condition – which is profound hearing loss in at least 1 ear.
There are up to 7 – 10 times more people who wear hearing aids that do not have a T/Coil hearing aid. So they cannot connect with the T/Coil Hearing Loop system!
HOW IT WORKS & POTENTIAL SHORTCOMINGS
A telecoil (T-coil) hearing augmentation system transmits audio directly to hearing aids via electromagnetic signals.
A room’s induction loop copper wires - usually placed in or under the floor- converts sound into a magnetic field, which
is picked up by the T-coil in compatible hearing aids when switched to the "T" setting. This delivers sound free from background noise, as used in theatres, churches, and service counters. The system is universally compatible with T-coil-enabled hearing aids and cochlear implants, meeting historic accessibility standard. While effective when in range, not all hearing aids support T-coils.
The Hearing Loop System Reaches ~2.5% of your Audience
NOT for 97.5% of your Audience – they can’t participate BECAUSE:
- Although they need assisted hearing - they don’t have
a T/Coil setting on their hearing device - T/Coil cannot be received by their smart phone
- They have a T/Coil but speak another language.
- They have assisted hearing or ear buds that receive communication via an existing connection with their smart phone, but their phone cannot connect with the T/Coil signal - which was created several decades before smartphones were even invented.
- They don’t have any assisted hearing device.
The NEXT STEP is the most important.
Hearing loop systems need to be checked as they are prone to failure, as are Infra Red, and FM systems used for Hearing Augmentation Compliance.
Does your system actually work?....and work well enough to meet the compliance standards?
ClearaSound can HELP by providing an authorized test and assessment to ensure it is serviceable.
During this call out visit we will also provide a scope for an upgrade to Auracast or New Generation Audio over WIFI – to provide you with a more reliable, more economical solution that boosts your coverage to people with assisted hearing by up to 10 times - AND keeps you compliant at all levels.
We will ensure you don’t lose your current audience with profound hearing loss, we will just ADD to it.
Call to book a call out now (minimum $180 call out service charge may apply)