"We originally purchased them with hearing impaired visitors in mind," explains Diane Monether, Shropshire Hills AONB community landscapes officer, "those people who might have previously avoided coming on these types of walk.
"Often on our walks we have up to 20 people and keeping the group together can be difficult. This is where the neck loop really helped. Some people were really cynical about being seen wearing a hearing loop but once they tried it they thought they were fantastic. I haven't met anyone who didn't think it was a great piece of equipment. The walk leader doesn't need to shout and everyone can hear what he or she is saying and it helps everyone to focus on what is being talked about so no one drifts away from the group.
"We've also been organising a series of outdoor training events for walk leaders so that they can pass on information about the Shropshire Hills. We encourage them to try the neck loop system to see the difference it makes when they're on a walk, in terms of holding the attention of the group, and of course it makes it a much more enjoyable event for anyone hard of hearing or with a hearing aid. We always ask for feedback to see how people found them and it's always really positive."
The neck loops were all recommended and provided by Powys-based Sound Induction Systems. Director Philip Nicholes explains: "We supplied a trial system based on a EK1035 radio receiver, PX20 headphones and a modified EZT1011 neck loop. The transmitter was an SK300 with an ME2 lapel and ME3 headband microphone. The trial was successful and we ended up supplying two systems to Shropshire County Council, one of which was for the sole use of the Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership."
(Jim Evans)
