There are many options for assistive listening technologies. This blog post provides a comparison between the three technologies used in assistive listening.
 
There’s been a lot of discussion about loop technology for use in assistive listening. The recent New York Times article “A Hearing Aid That Cuts Out All The Clatter” points to the many benefits of using induction loops in theaters, places of worship and other venues. Thus, the purpose of this blog is to provide a comparison between the three technologies used in assistive listening.
 
RF (Radio) Technology - This uses the same technology used by a radio station or a two-way radio to wirelessly deliver audio to your ears using an RF receiver and earphones. The system uses a small transmitter with an antenna to cover an entire theater or stadium.

IR (Infrared) Technology - This uses infrared light (yes, the same IR technology as in your TV remote control) to transmit audio to your ears using an IR receiver and earphones. These systems uses IR radiators (it’s like a headlight on a car) to flood IR light into the facility. Most facilities require about four radiators to be installed throughout the venue.

Induction (Loop) Technology - Loop technology uses a magnetic field to wirelessly transmit audio to your ears using either a hearing aid with a built in “T” switch or a loop receiver with earphones. These systems use a wire or loop that is typically installed in the floor of the entire venue. This is the reason that loop systems cost so much more than RF or IR system, especially in retrofit installations.
 
If you’re like 10 percent of the population and you struggle to hear, assistive listening systems like these can dramatically improve your ability to enjoy the content delivered by the venue. All three of these technologies offer this advantage whether you have a hearing aid or not.
 
The “Magic” Of Loop Systems
 
Now, if you do have a hearing aid and it has a “T” switch, a loop system makes it very simple to use. You simply walk into the venue, set your “T” switch and presto you hear audio right in your ears. You don’t need a receiver or earphones. It’s magic! In fact, no one even knows you are hearing the venue audio. This is why loop systems have such a wide appeal for people who have “T” switch hearing aids.
 
In North America, many people who have hearing aids don’t have a “T” switch where in Europe most hearing aid users do have a “T” switch. My hearing aid does NOT have a “T” switch, and thus, no matter what type of technology a facility might have, I have to get a receiver and earphones to hear the audio. Maybe my next hearing aid will have a “T” switch.
 
Thus, the “magic” of a loop system can only be enjoyed by those individuals who have a hearing aid with a “T” switch. Everyone else must use a receiver and earphones. The fact is that the majority of people who are hearing impaired do not even own a hearing aid.
 
Advantages of RF And IR Systems
 
RF and IR technology assistive listening systems offer two main advantages:
 

1. Low cost
2. Ability to deliver multiple audio sources

 
The cost of a typical RF system is less than $5,000 and the cost of an IR system is less than $10,000 for an average venue. Loop systems are much more. The lower cost of RF and IR is because of building does not need to be modified to be installed. In loop system systems, the loop must be installed over the entire floor of the venue and it must be carefully designed and installed to ensure complete coverage and no interference to equipment within the facility.
 
Additionally RF and IR systems can also be used for multiple audio sources. For example, at the Kennedy Center they use their IR system not only for assistive listening but they also use it for audio description and audio instruction.
 
While the New York Times article “A Hearing Aid That Cuts Out All The Clatter” referenced this facility, the Kennedy Center does not use loop technology* because of their requirement to transmit multiple audio sources.
 
If a person does have “T” switch hearing aid, they can still use an RF or IR system to connect directly to their hearing aid. This is done by plugging a neck loop into an IR or RF receiver (it’s worn around the neck). The neck loop inductively connects to the hearing aid.
 
It is great to hear the enthusiasm and the interest in loop system for assistive listening. Loop systems offer a great convenience and “magic” factor people with “T” switch hearing aids. And no matter what technology a venue chooses, anyone can use and benefit from the system.
 
When you consider 10 percent of the population is hearing impaired (just like me...) it’s important that we have the ability to enjoy a play or enjoy the music.
 
This chart offers a side by side comparison of some of the considerations for each type of technology:

 
* The NY Times article was reference a one-time event that had a temporary loop system installed.
 

This was reprinted with permission from Listen Technologies and originally appeared here.

Extron's newly designed 7-inch configurable touchpanels, the TLP 710MV, TLP 710TV, and TLP 710CV are now shipping. Each TLP 710 Series touchpanel has an 800x480 resolution touch screen, incorporates PoE (Power over Ethernet) and has a built-in MTP (Twisted Pair receiver), which accepts either S-video or composite video signals over standard CAT 5 cable. They mount on a wall, lectern or other flat surface, while The TLP 710TV is designed to sit on a tabletop or install on a VESA mount. The TLP 710CV is the industry's first flip-up 7-inch touchpanel and can be mounted into a tabletop, lectern or other flat surface.

Extron's GUI Configurator software makes touchpanel configuration easy, without the need for additional graphics programs, and ready-to-use templates for single display rooms, dual display rooms, divisible rooms, multi-image systems and videoconferencing suites. These designs may be used as is or customized for the application by changing individual graphic elements.

The TLP 710 Series works in conjunction with any Extron IP Link control processor, such as the Extron IPCP 505 Control Processor. You can see all the specs here: http://www.extron.com/product/listbytype.aspx?subtype=296&s=3

Altinex has launched a new Cat6 transmitter/receiver that's designed to route 1080p HDMI signals in ProAV installs. The TP115-352 converts the HDMI video and audio signals into a digital format for transmission over the Cat6 cable and sends it to the TP115-352 receiver to convert the digital signal back into the standard HDMI (1.4a, HDMI 1.3, 3D, 2Kx4K, DVI 1.1, plus HDCP 2.0). The TP115-352 is specified to handle PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) two-channel audio, 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound, with support for signals encoded using DTS-HD, Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus.

In addition to HDMI transmission, the TP115-352 pair allow for IR signals to pass from the receiver back to the transmitter in order to control the HDMI source.

Full specs are here: http://www.altinex.com/index.php?q=TP115-352

Today Epson expanded its PowerLite Pro Z-series projector line with five new LCD models aimed at specific markets like education, HOW, rental and digital signage applications. All models come with edge blending, split screen capability, DICOM Simulation mode2, built-in alignment, plus two HDMI inputs, HD-SDI and VGA ports. Because they are stackable and side-by-side blockable, edge blending is fairly simple. This range of projectors is the first at this performance level for EPSON.

The five models include:

• PowerLite Pro Z8450WUNL spec'd at 7,000 lumens and with a native WUXGA (1920x1200) resolution LCD in a white enclosure
• PowerLite Pro Z8455WUNL also spec'd at 7,000 lumens, WUXGA but in a black enclosure
• PowerLite Pro Z8350WNL spec'd at 8,500 lumens and WXGA (1280x768) resolution in a white enclosure
• PowerLite Pro Z8250NL spec'd at 10,000 lumens and XGA (1024x768) resolution in a white enclosure
• PowerLite Pro Z8255NL is also spec'd 10,000 lumens with XGA resolution in a black enclosure

All five models have IP control, 10 memory blocks for set-up and display calibration, can be managed with EPSON's Easy Management network software (including copying set-up configuration for both install and rental/staging applications of many daisy-chained projectors) and are spec'd a a 5000:1 contrast ratio.

You can see all the details here: http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/jsp/Landing/ProZ.do?iref=van_new-pro-z

Remember a few years ago when all sorts of projector manufacturers were integrating PCs inside projectors in hopes of combining two technologies into one for simplicity? Well, that approach never caught on. But if a tiny start-up called BryteWerks has its way, it just might now.

Using an open-sourse media management Intel-based Core CPU (aka HTPC-ish media player) that uses an operating system called XBMC, and a 1920x1600 (WUXGA) LCD projector that's spec'd at 6000 to 10,000 lumens, BryteWerks hopes that its new line Media Player Projectors will get you to take a second look at the concept of all-in-one systems for home theaters and corporate meeting rooms.

The first product, BryteWerks Model One, is a 16:10, 1920x1200 projector that features a 1000:1 contrast ratio, and a 1:1 throw of 1 foot to 50 feet. It has a fully-integrated Intel Core i3 to i7 HTPC CPU, a full featured, slot-loaded Blu-ray player, plus up to 2 TB of internal storage (including a 500 GB Solid State Drive), making it a home theater PC as well as a media player built inside a projector.

But, they didn't stop there. The Model One also has a content management (including the ability to operate numerous BryteWerks projectors and connected devices simultaneously). It's controlled from the 720p 8.9-inch touch panel display on the back of the projector, a provided RF remote control or the free XBMC remote App for Android and iOS devices. Connectivity is via 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Gigabit Ethernet, offering two-way communication with other BryteWerks projectors.

The power and I/O interface, which also features dual USB and HDMI ports, 5.1 individual analog surround sound outputs and AC power, is fully-upgradeable and has a patent-pending cable management system that conceals all cable interfaces in the projector's "Mag-Snap feet."

Want more specs? You'll have to wait until the official launch on Jan. 16, but here is the website: http://www.brytewerks.com/