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Self Help for the Hard of Hearing (SHHH) has a saying, "Life is missing something when you can't hear everything."
Dedicated to that belief, the Menomonie chapter of the national non-profit educational association has teamed with the Menomonie Public Library to establish the first loop model in Menomonie.
The loop, a magnetic induction wire that runs around the circumference of a room, surrounding the audience, will enable those who wear hearing aids with a T-coil (telecoil) as well as those with cochlear implants to hear speakers during presentations. The speaker uses a special microphone and with the flip of a switch, a T-coil wearer allows the speaker's voice to be transmitted directly to the ear, blocking out background noises in the process.
Basically an invisible application implanted under carpet, around the ceiling or in grooves of concrete walls, SHHH is responsible for researching the viability of this concept and was instrumental in working with the library to obtain a grant for the implementation of the first loop model. Library director Dianne Lueder applied for the grant and in January, through the State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, the Menomonie Public Library was awarded $7,388 for Project LOOP Menomonie, which will be supplemented with $500 in local funds. The project is being conducted in association with SHHH and the Center for Independent Living for Western Wisconsin, Inc.
Local building inspector John Dahl has inspected the site and the library meeting room will be the first looped room in the city. The library is handling all outlay for the funds, including the hiring necessary to complete the project. However, Lueder said more funding will be needed for training library personnel in the usage of the loop system as well as sensitivity training for working with people with sensory disabilities. Voice activation equipment has been purchased through a supplier and personal FM systems will be made available. A sound contractor has been hired to install the wire. And a portable fixed InfoLoop induction loop will be purchased for use at the circulation desk/checkout counter.
Seeking improvement in communication technology for those with sensory disabilities has been a priority. Full participation and interaction for all individuals is the goal. And Lueder is confident that more people will feel comfortable using the meeting room.
The grand opening is scheduled for April. In May, the first class will be presented to demonstrate the assistive technology devices to area libraries, businesses, public agencies, community leaders and interested individuals. Library brochures are being updated to include the technological advances made for the hearing impaired.
For technical reasons, not all buildings are conducive to the loop, but SHHH members and the library are optimistic that the library's model will inspire other public facilities in the Dunn County area and serve as just the first of many loops for the Menomonie community. The objective is to serve as a model city for future local, state, and national projects. Committee members are bolstered by the fact that any new construction has to have accessibility for the deaf and hard of hearing and feel it is on the cutting edge of opening doors of communication in business, education, workplaces, government, health facilities, entertainment venues, churches and beyond. The idea sprang from Holland, Mich., where the entire city is looped.
"The goal is to loop the entire city, all public places like hotels, theaters, hospitals and conference rooms," said SHHH president Julie Springer, who admits to "thinking big, not little." Ultimately, the aim is to display signage in the form of a universal symbol at facilities that will have the loop technology available so that hearing aid wearers know to switch their hearing aids to T-coil mode.
Considering the aging population and even those affected by military service, Springer feels there is a large percentage of people in Menomonie who are hearing impaired (affected by the "invisible disability") and could benefit from the loop. In fact, 10 percent of the population suffers from hearing loss, with one-third of the population over the age of 65 affected. She said it is hoped to loop the Shirley Doane Senior Center in Menomonie next.
"It [the loop] won't cover all hearing losses, but the project is to get people aware of what can be done with speech recognition hardware," added Brenda Arndt, treasurer of SHHH. "Maybe through this program more people will become aware it [the loop] is not that expensive even for the individual expense when you look at it. We're talking all ages here that are going to benefit."
By Deb Anderson
Dedicated to that belief, the Menomonie chapter of the national non-profit educational association has teamed with the Menomonie Public Library to establish the first loop model in Menomonie.
The loop, a magnetic induction wire that runs around the circumference of a room, surrounding the audience, will enable those who wear hearing aids with a T-coil (telecoil) as well as those with cochlear implants to hear speakers during presentations. The speaker uses a special microphone and with the flip of a switch, a T-coil wearer allows the speaker's voice to be transmitted directly to the ear, blocking out background noises in the process.
Basically an invisible application implanted under carpet, around the ceiling or in grooves of concrete walls, SHHH is responsible for researching the viability of this concept and was instrumental in working with the library to obtain a grant for the implementation of the first loop model. Library director Dianne Lueder applied for the grant and in January, through the State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, the Menomonie Public Library was awarded $7,388 for Project LOOP Menomonie, which will be supplemented with $500 in local funds. The project is being conducted in association with SHHH and the Center for Independent Living for Western Wisconsin, Inc.
Local building inspector John Dahl has inspected the site and the library meeting room will be the first looped room in the city. The library is handling all outlay for the funds, including the hiring necessary to complete the project. However, Lueder said more funding will be needed for training library personnel in the usage of the loop system as well as sensitivity training for working with people with sensory disabilities. Voice activation equipment has been purchased through a supplier and personal FM systems will be made available. A sound contractor has been hired to install the wire. And a portable fixed InfoLoop induction loop will be purchased for use at the circulation desk/checkout counter.
Seeking improvement in communication technology for those with sensory disabilities has been a priority. Full participation and interaction for all individuals is the goal. And Lueder is confident that more people will feel comfortable using the meeting room.
The grand opening is scheduled for April. In May, the first class will be presented to demonstrate the assistive technology devices to area libraries, businesses, public agencies, community leaders and interested individuals. Library brochures are being updated to include the technological advances made for the hearing impaired.
For technical reasons, not all buildings are conducive to the loop, but SHHH members and the library are optimistic that the library's model will inspire other public facilities in the Dunn County area and serve as just the first of many loops for the Menomonie community. The objective is to serve as a model city for future local, state, and national projects. Committee members are bolstered by the fact that any new construction has to have accessibility for the deaf and hard of hearing and feel it is on the cutting edge of opening doors of communication in business, education, workplaces, government, health facilities, entertainment venues, churches and beyond. The idea sprang from Holland, Mich., where the entire city is looped.
"The goal is to loop the entire city, all public places like hotels, theaters, hospitals and conference rooms," said SHHH president Julie Springer, who admits to "thinking big, not little." Ultimately, the aim is to display signage in the form of a universal symbol at facilities that will have the loop technology available so that hearing aid wearers know to switch their hearing aids to T-coil mode.
Considering the aging population and even those affected by military service, Springer feels there is a large percentage of people in Menomonie who are hearing impaired (affected by the "invisible disability") and could benefit from the loop. In fact, 10 percent of the population suffers from hearing loss, with one-third of the population over the age of 65 affected. She said it is hoped to loop the Shirley Doane Senior Center in Menomonie next.
"It [the loop] won't cover all hearing losses, but the project is to get people aware of what can be done with speech recognition hardware," added Brenda Arndt, treasurer of SHHH. "Maybe through this program more people will become aware it [the loop] is not that expensive even for the individual expense when you look at it. We're talking all ages here that are going to benefit."
By Deb Anderson
