In education settings, it is crucial that hearing augmentation solutions and technology are tailored to accommodate not only the needs of today’s students, but also the needs of students in the future.
Very often an internet search or legacy-based opinion provide less than contemporaneous information. Hear and Learn procures expert advice when it comes to hearing augmentation solutions, so let us offer you some facts.
- Hearing augmentation is a term used in the National Construction Code of Australia and rules of State Education Departments. The common element of all regulations is that is the process of transmitting audio of devices with speakers to receivers in hearing aids. Sometimes hearing augmentation is thought of as voice capture technology (known as “soundfield”) but for the purpose of compliance with construction codes and other regulations, it’s about screen audio and the like being received by devices built into aids.
- It’s easy to get the impression that we can rely on learners wearing an electronic necklace (which receives an infra-red or radio frequency signal if screen audio) and either rely on that necklace to ‘marry’ up with now-defunct T-Switch receivers in aids, or have learners plug earphones into those necklaces to get a louder signal of screen audio. A couple of things here; State regulations can require that kids not be stigmatised by wearing a necklace, or wear headphones which compromise them hearing voices. We’ve moved on from this idea like we’ve moved on from other antiquated parts of education. Augmentation can now be achieved without students holding or wearing an additional device; this is called ‘native’ augmentation.
- We can’t do what we’ve done in the past. It’s tough to keep pace with change and it’s easy to stick with what we know. But here’s a fact; if we think hearing augmentation technology that is engineered to talk to one brand of aid receiver is adequate, we’re behind the eight ball. There are new hearing aids and receivers coming that work with a brand-new transmission platform. If we replicate what may exist in older parts of a school, it’s kind of like buying a 3G phone.
- Each learning space needs some permanent infrastructure in it so that screen audio and other inbuilt amplified audio can be captured and augmented. Sometimes people think that a portable system without any connection to screen audio (and purely a voice capture device) constitutes hearing augmentation. Not really. And sometimes this permanent infrastructure can be thought of as a wall plate from which transmitters dangle from, or wall plates that cater to only one transmitter at a time, or which don’t allow for transmitters to be powered. Our UConnect solutions rule out these complications.
Modern education demands modern solutions, and hearing augmentation is no exception. As assistive technologies evolve, it’s essential to move beyond outdated, stigmatising devices and adopt inclusive infrastructure that speaks directly to todays and tomorrow’s hearing aid technologies.
True compliance and effectiveness come from systems that are built into learning environments, not tacked on as an afterthought. Hear and Learn delivers hearing augmentation solutions that prioritise dignity, adaptability, and forward-thinking design, ensuring no student is left behind in the soundscape of learning.
Contact the team at Hear and Learn today to see how you can get ahead of the curve, and future proof education for all learners in your school.