How to Provide Hearing Assistance in Courtrooms & Legislative Proceedings
For decades, courtrooms and government meeting rooms have used hearing loop technology to allow participants to hear better during hearings and legislative procedures. While hearing loops are an effective way to provide this hearing accessibility, they present a few problems:
- Hearing loops are expensive
- Listeners must use a hearing aid
- The installation process can be complex
- Metal in walls and floors can cause interference
Today, courts and legislative bodies that are looking for a more affordable, efficient, flexible and modern solution are turning to AudioFetch audio over WiFi streaming. Following are five benefits that AudioFetch provides for hearing assistance in court and legislative settings:
1. Secure One-Way Communications
Security is of the utmost importance in legal and legislative proceedings. AudioFetch technology uses the local wireless network to stream audio. When that network is password protected, you can limit who can listen to only those approved individuals.
2. No Hearing Aid Required
People don’t always wear hearing aids when they should. Maybe they forgot it, maybe it’s too uncomfortable, maybe it creates too much feedback, or maybe it simply makes them feel old. Whatever the reasons, not using a hearing aid when you need one can cause you to miss important information, and in a legal setting, it’s imperative that every word can be heard.
Even when someone doesn’t need a hearing aid, they could still benefit from hearing better. As quiet as legal proceedings can be, there can also be loud, distracting background noise that makes the main speaker difficult to hear.
With wireless audio streaming, all the listener needs is a smartphone or mobile device, which nearly everyone has already and never leaves home without, and headphones.
3. Lower Installation Cost
The fees associated with installing a hearing loop are just for the system. Depending on the size and construction of the courtroom, you may need to pull up carpeting, tiles or baseboards and replace any damaged items. Additionally, metal in walls and floors can create interference, limiting the capabilities of the loop system. Installation requires a specialist, can be messy and takes some time.
Installing wireless audio streaming is so simple, it’s nearly plug-and-play. Your hearing assistance solution can be up and running the day you receive it, and you won’t have to touch an inch of flooring or walls.
4. No Monthly Fees
Other hearing assistance solutions require ongoing monthly fees and/or charge extra when you hit a usage limit or each additional listener. With AudioFetch, you pay for the equipment and it’s yours to use as much you need for as long as you need. And we never charge for support either.
5. Minimal Equipment
A single piece of equipment is all that’s required for local audio streaming. If you’d like to expand coverage or connect with other audio sources, you can add a transmitter and receiver, but these are entirely optional.
Save time, money and hassle, and make it easier for participants to hear during legislative proceedings. Contact us today to request a quote or schedule an appointment at your convenience.