At the hospital's main reception, two ILD20-driven base station loops ensure the communication process is as clear as possible from the moment that visitors arrive. Ten further ILD20 loops are installed at nurse stations and in the wards throughout the hospital, ensuring visitors with a hearing impairment can discuss anything they need with the staff, while not disturbing patients. They also have the additional benefit of helping any of the patients who may have a hearing impairment.
A perimeter induction loop is also installed in the hospital's main meeting room, powered by an ILD252 and including a condenser microphone for presentations.
"There were no technical hurdles although, as it was scheduled for fairly late in the build stage, we had to negotiate a lot of medical equipment being put in during the client fit out," says Scanaudio's Dee Couchman. "Being a children's hospital, the funky colours the wards are painted in made it seem quite an unusual environment for us, though!"
Ampetronic's technical director Leon Pieters adds, "All too often Induction Loops are specified to the minimum requirements of the DDA without a thought to the users' welfare. This installation is a good example of how a well thought out system makes a positive difference to the lives of the hearing impaired and of those around them."
(Jim Evans)
