by Ron Hendricks
Oklahoma City is becoming a Hearing City in 2018. The Civic Center officially “cut the ribbon” to the newly installed Hearing LOOP on February 26. The hearing loop system is hard wired into the auditorium and will transmit sound directly into a hearing aid or Cochlear implant with a “T” coil. The LOOP is actually a wire that is installed on each floor, all of the box seats, the concession stands, and the box office too. Ana Covey, representative of the Assist2Hear, who installed the LOOP said, “This is just so exciting because they (the Civic Center) specifically put this hearing loop in to invite the hearing loss community back to the theater and to experience the arts.”
Prior to the formal opening several individuals were invited to events. Some of their comments: Shari Richard said, “ I attended The Nutcracker… The new loop system made my listening experience so much more enjoyable. The music was richer and clearer with my t-coil using the loop than it was with my CI processor alone.” Fannae’ Homer Shields reported that, “ …the music was awesome, as my T-coil picked up some high light sounds. I didn’t experience any disconnect nor any static coming from the looping wiring. I totally enjoyed the show and all the music!” Nancy Landrum said, “… the music was so much richer and fuller with the telecoils. I could hear the individual instruments, the bow slide across the violin strings, and the bells! Ah, the bells. I could hear them so distinctly.”
Hearing Loss Association of America Central Oklahoma Chapter is proud of our member and Assist2Hear’s Ana Cover and the excitement she brings to every project with which she is associated. Assist2Hear provides hearing solutions for the hearing impaired in large venues and churches throughout the Oklahoma — indeed, anyplace where people gather. Ana states, “We are committed to helping people hear better and live better.” And that is the purpose of Central Oklahoma Chapter of HLAA too.
You can join Central Oklahoma Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America and Ana Covey and become a part of the “Oklahoma City Hearing Loop Initiative.” After all, it is an ADA requirement, that facilities offering public access where sound is integral to the space, must offer hearing assistance to those who need it and the hearing loop is by far, the user-preferred system. Ana Covey, Sales Rep. and Marketing Director can be contacted at (405) 640-5152 for a free presentation and site visit to churches, community centers, civic buildings, performance arts centers and more. Or contact Central Oklahoma Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America. (405) 717-9820 or visit our website, OKCHearingLoss.org
