What This Requirement Covers
Hearing loops (induction loops) provide a direct audio signal to hearing aid users, improving speech clarity in noisy environments. Approved Document M and the Equality Act 2010 require the provision of hearing loops at reception desks, service counters, meeting rooms, and other communication points in public buildings.
Key Requirements
Where Hearing Loops Are Required
- Reception desks and enquiry counters in all public buildings
- Meeting rooms and interview rooms used by the public
- Ticket offices, bank counters, and similar service points
- Places of worship, theatres, cinemas, and lecture halls (coverage of the audience seating area)
- Courtrooms and public inquiry rooms
- Classrooms in educational buildings (where required by the school or local authority)
Types of Hearing Loop
- Counter (bench) loops: Small loops built into or placed on a counter; suitable for one-to-one communication at service points
- Room loops: A cable installed around the perimeter of a room, creating a magnetic field that covers the entire room
- Phased array loops: Multiple cables installed in a pattern to reduce overspill into adjacent rooms; used in complex installations
- Portable loops: Temporary or portable systems for flexible use
Design Standards
- Hearing loops must comply with BS EN 60118-4 (Electroacoustics - hearing aids - induction loop systems for assisted hearing)
- The magnetic field strength must be within the range of -5 to +7 dB relative to the standard (100 mA/m at 1 kHz)
- The system must be tested and certified on installation
Signage
- The international hearing loop symbol (a white ear on a blue background) must be displayed at all locations where a hearing loop is provided
Practical Compliance Tips
- Include hearing loop provision in the building specification; it is often overlooked until the access audit
- Counter loops are simple to install and inexpensive; specify them at all public-facing service points
- For room loops, coordinate the cable routing with the electrical and IT installations
- Avoid running heating loop cables or power cables near the hearing loop cable; they can cause interference
- Commission and test the system on completion to BS EN 60118-4; a loop that does not meet the standard is not compliant
- Include the hearing loop in the building maintenance schedule; batteries in portable loops need regular replacement
- Train front-of-house staff to identify the hearing loop symbol and to direct users to the loop-equipped area