It’s great that the BBC have reported on the charity Hearing Link’s campaign to improve the working status and quality of hearing loops.
As the article says:
Hearing loops, systems which helps clarify sound for people who are hard of hearing, often don’t work according to a charity.
Installed into buildings such as shops and theatres they direct sound and speech directly into hearing aids and cochlear implants.
Hearing Link says loops often don’t work or staff have not been trained in how to use them.
Graham Satchell travelled to Eastbourne, where they are aiming to be a beacon of excellence for hearing impaired people.
However, the report is undermined by the fact that in its online version, there are no subtitles available on the clip.
So what did reporter Graham Satchell find out on his trip to Eastbourne? Many deaf people who didn’t see this go out live (with live subtitles) will still be waiting to find out…
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Andy not Mr Palmer but another one
September 13, 2013
The absurdity about the commercial loops systems currently in use is that they are installed and operated as a black box. There is an On/Off switch. That’s it.
There is an indicator light to say that the power is on and sometimes on the recent ones there are some flashing lights to show that sound is being processed. But there is no actual way of checking that it is working OK and that it sounds OK. Other than grabbing the nearest person with a hearing aid.
Isn’t that ridiculous?
We should ensure that systems come complete with the means to check that they are working properly and the sound is clear.
Play By Eye
September 13, 2013
Ive complained to the BBC here 🙂 I suggest people do the same!
https://ssl.bbc.co.uk/complaints/forms/?reset=#anchor
maxiaidsblog
September 13, 2013
Reblogged this on Maxi Aids .
Play By Eye
September 13, 2013
Received this reply from the BBC:
Thank you for your email.
You are quite right that this report about hearing loss should be subtitled and we are currently producing a subtitled version.
When this is finished it will replace the current version on the website.
Yours sincerely
Martin McCall
Assistant Editor
BBC News On Demand
Editor
September 13, 2013
Excellent result, well done Play By Eye! Ed
Sensorineural Blues
September 13, 2013
Staff sometimes don’t realise that their loop covers only a very small area. My local museum has a long counter at the entrance with about 5 ticket-sales positions behind it. There is a loop sign prominently displayed in the middle of the counter. The staff thought the loop was effective for all the sales positions. But, because there is just the one portable loop device, only the position next to this device is actually covered.
Sally Shaw
September 13, 2013
Thanks Limping Chicken for posting this. Thanks also to everyone who has asked the BBC to request subtitles. As the Communications Manager at Hearing Link, I have also done this. Fingers crossed they add them very soon. In the meantime, it is fantastic that hearing loops have been given this exposure by the BBC. Hearing Link has been doing a lot hearing loop related work and headway is being made. We’re also hosting the International Hearing Loop Conference and this will be another great step forward. Do come to this event if you can. More details on our website – http://www.hearinglink.org
Natalya Dell
September 13, 2013
I wish I was surprised and while it’s good to have the exposure, it would have been respectful for the BBC to have actually subtitled this (and their other website videos) all along. I got sick of complaining so I now no longer bother as it reflects the BBC and their attitude sadly.
As for loops being mis-used, just today I narrowly saved some people being ever so helpful and getting a loop for a completely deaf sign language user… People just think they’re magic and somehow make deaf people into hearing people…