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Theatre NorthWest gets first-for-Prince George hearing loop system

A new accessibility technology will allow hard-of-hearing patrons to easily enjoy theatre productions
Hanna Petersen
Hanna Petersen
tnw-hearing-loop
Accessiblity Coordinator Heidi Klepsch holds a portable hearing loop receiver (left). The hearing loop technology is plugged into the sound system (right). Hanna Petersen

Theatre NorthWest now has a first-of-its-kind accessibility technology in Prince George. 

People who are hard of hearing or use cochlear implants will now have an easier time enjoying the productions at Theatre NorthWest, thanks to a grant from the Prince George Community Foundation.

That funding allowed Theatre NorthWest to install a hearing loop system, which is the first one in a public place in Prince George and one of the first hearing loops installed in northern B.C.

The hearing loop transmits amplified sound directly to the telecoil in a hearing aid or cochlear implant when the user is located in the looped area.

“We have a microphone for the hearing loop system, which is mounted above the stage, and it sends the signal to an amplifier, which then sends out a louder volume of that signal into the loop area,” said Theatre NorthWest’s Accessibility Coordinator Heidi Klepsch.

“The entire lower part of our audience, the main section, is all part of that looped area,” she added. “So It's delivered directly into their personal hearing aids, with a sound profile that's tailored to their unique needs.”

Klepsch explained that hearing loops have been a requirement in the UK since 2010 and are widespread in all public places like on public transit, however hearing loops are only just gaining momentum in Canada.

“Most of the hearing loops right now are concentrated around major city centres so around Vancouver and Toronto. Up here in the north as far as I know, there are only four or five, including us, so for Northern B.C., in general as well as Prince George, this is kind of a big deal.”

The hearing loop is a major upgrade from the theatre’s old FM hearing assist system. However, to use a hearing loop it also requires that an audiologist to make sure the telecoils in a hearing aid are activated.

“Since this is the first system of its kind in the city, a lot of people who might benefit from it may not know how to connect to it or they might not know if they have a compatible hearing aid,” explained Klepshc.  “So, we really encourage people to contact their audiologist to confirm that their hearing aid is compatible.”

A majority of modern hearing aids have telecoils. The Canadian Hard of Hearing Association says 80 per cent of modern hearing aids have them and all modern cochlear implants have them but the theatre also has two portable receivers for patrons without compatible hearing aids.

“Theatre Northwest is and has for the majority of its time in existence been deeply committed to accessibility,” said artistic producer Marnie Hamagami.

“It's about more than just ramps and rails. Ramps and rails are in a hugely important part of any physical facility but you also need to consider soundscapes, visual escapes, and all aspects of the sensory experience.”

Mindy Stroet, director of development at the Prince George Community Foundation, said they are thrilled to provide this technology to Theatre NorthWest.

“We heard this morning that it's the first in our city and I hope that this just propels more organizations and businesses to really look at how they can increase accessibility for everyone.”