ADA Compliant Assistive Listening Systems

ALS Base Station and Receivers

Assistive Listening Systems (ALS) located at Title II and Title III facilities are required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This article will discuss the ADA scoping and technical requirements for ALS in State and local government facilities, public accommodations, and commercial facilities. 2010 ADA Standards 219 and 216.10 cover scoping requirements for ALS. Standard 706 covers technical requirements for ALS. The photo above is representative of ALS equipment that can include a base station and receivers.

Scoping Requirements

2010 ADA Standard 219.2, [Assistive Listening Systems] Required Systems, states, “In each assembly area where audible communication is integral to the use of the space, an assistive listening system shall be provided.” In other words, if you must use a microphone in a room to communicate with individuals in the room, an ALS is required. The exception for this requirement is for courtrooms where ALS systems are always required.

Symbol for Hearing Loss

2010 ADA Standard 216.10, [Signs] Assistive Listening Systems, states, “Each assembly area required by [Standard] 219 to provide assistive listening systems shall provide signs informing patrons of the availability of the assistive listening system. Assistive listening signs shall comply with [Standard] 703.5 and shall include the International Symbol of Access for Hearing Loss complying with [Standard] 703.7.2.4.” The graphic on the right is representative of the International Symbol of Access for Hearing Loss.

The exception for this Standard is that where ticket offices or windows are provided, signs shall not be required at each assembly area provided that signs are displayed at each ticket office or window informing patrons of the availability of assistive listening systems.

2010 ADA Standard 219.3, [ALS] Receivers, states, “Receivers complying with [Standard] 706.2 shall be provided for assistive listening systems in each assembly area in accordance with Table 219.3. Twenty-five percent minimum of receivers provided, but no fewer than two, shall be hearing-aid compatible in accordance with [Standard] 706.3.” Table 219.3 is shown below.

The exceptions for this Standard include:

1. Where a building contains more than one assembly area and the assembly areas required to provide assistive listening systems are under one management, the total number of required receivers shall be permitted to be calculated according to the total number of seats in the assembly areas in the building provided that all receivers are usable with all systems.

2. Where all seats in an assembly area are served by an induction loop assistive listening system, the minimum number of receivers required by Table 219.3 to be hearing-aid compatible shall not be required to be provided. The graphic below is representative of an assembly area with a continuous induction loop around the seating.

Assembly Area with Inductive Loop for ALS

Technical Requirements

2010 ADA Standard 706 covers the technical requirements for ALS. Applying these technical requirements is complex and typically requires assistance from a professional sound engineer. The US Access Board (USAB) has published technical assistance on assistive listening devices and systems.

Assistive listening systems are generally categorized by their mode of transmission. There are hard-wired systems and three types of wireless systems: induction loop, infrared, and FM radio transmission. Each has different advantages and disadvantages that can help determine which system is best for a given application. For example, an FM system may be better than an infrared system in some open-air assemblies since infrared signals are less effective in sunlight. On the other hand, an infrared system is typically a better choice than an FM system where confidential transmission is important because it will be contained within a given space.

The technical standards for assistive listening systems describe minimum performance levels for volume, interference, and distortion. Sound pressure levels (SPL), expressed in decibels, measure output sound volume. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR or S/N), also expressed in decibels, represents the relationship between the loudness of a desired sound (the signal) and the background noise in a space or piece of equipment. The higher the SNR, the more intelligible the signal. The peak clipping level limits the distortion in signal output produced when high-volume sound waves are manipulated to serve assistive listening devices.

SUMMARY

ADA compliant assistive listening systems are generally required in assembly areas where systems for sound amplification are used, such as a microphone in an auditorium. These assistive listening systems typically include a base station and receivers. The number of receivers required depends on the seating capacity of the assembly area. Some receivers must also be compatible for use with hearing aids.

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If you observe a facility or assistive listening system that is not ADA compliant and you would like to know how to proceed, please see the link at What To Do When A Building Is Not ADA Compliant or Accessible.

ADA Inspections Nationwide, LLC, offers ADA/ABA/FHA accessibility compliance inspections for buildings and facilities, as applicable to the different laws, and expert witness services with respect to ADA/ABA/FHA laws for building owners, tenants and managers. Also, ADAIN offers consulting for home modifications as a CAPS consultant for people wishing to age in place in their homes. For a complete list of services please see ADAIN Services.

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