Sound check for accessibility

West Park’s healthcare architecture takes accessibility to a new level. From seating alcoves to wheelchair-height elevator buttons, the emphasis on accessibility is a key feature in the new facility. What visitors may not know are the subtler accessibility features in the new building.

The Assistive Listening Systems (ALS) microphones are a key accessibility feature designed to transmit sound directly to a person’s hearing device. These microphones, marked with hearing-aid signage in blue, are installed at administrative desks in the Communication Centres, outpatient reception areas, and the auditorium.

“In the old hospital, accessibility was limited to physical features like ramps, wide doorways and corridors. The new hospital has been designed with a vision of universal accessibility, and communication accessibility is a great step in that direction,” says Natalie Muradian, Speech Language Pathologist. The ALS helps remove communication barriers; one just have to switch the hearing aid to ‘T’ position to be able to access the facility. Stating the benefits of the ALS, Natalie adds, “It reduces the background noise and decreases the perceived distance between the speaker and the receptor”.

There are three types of ALS systems the new facility is equipped with. Here is a brief summary of how they work and where to find them:

Counter/Desk devices

The desks that support the ALS are propped with hearing aid signs. In addition to indicating the accessibility feature, the sign lets people know where they need to position themselves in order for the in-ear hearing device to be within range of the system’s radio signal.

For the system to work, staff can speak into the microphone for the sound to be received by any person with a hearing device after it has been switched to the T position.

Location: In public spaces, including all inpatient/outpatient unit communication centres, registration desk and information desk.

In-slab Loops

This ALS system has an antenna installed under the floor to allow sound to loop around the room. This system is ideal for group activities and settings, where people can access the ALS system with their hearing aid from anywhere in the room. To ensure privacy, anyone on the other side of the door will not be able to pick up the signal.

To activate the ALS system, staff can speak into any of the Audio-Visual (AV) system’s microphones for the sound to be received by a hearing device set to T position. Since the AV system in the room is integrated, any audio that is played on an electronic device connected to the AV system will be transmitted to the hearing aid too.

Location: Multi-activity rooms, Teaching Kitchen (L1), Auditorium (L2), Birch Conference Room (L5)

Infrared (IR) Emitters

This system is only used in the Auditorium, which also has in-slab loops. Since IT emitters operates solely in the digital realm, its clarity of voice is superior. If a patient’s ALS device supports IR transmitters, it will provide the patient with crystal clear audio from the media being played in the auditorium, including the microphones used by any presenter. There are two infrared emitters on each side of the auditorium to ensure maximum coverage and minimize signal disruption.

Location: Auditorium (L2)