Building Solutions
Hearing Augmentation is the transmission of audio information to a listener’s hearing aid, enabling those with a Hearing Impairment to access quality audio. The international standard of communication is the Telecoil, however Australian children typically get Roger Hearing Aids or Receivers. In addition, there are emerging types of communication to compliment a compliant hearing augmentation system and make it more accessible such as WiFi.
There a 5 types of building solutions:
FAQ’s
To check if your hearing system complies with the National Construction Code (NCC):
- System Purpose: Ensure it’s installed in required spaces like auditoriums, meeting rooms, or theatres.
- Australian Standards (AS 1428.5): Verify compliance with coverage, signal clarity, and required signage.
- Approved Systems: Use compliant technologies like hearing loops, FM, infrared systems, or compatible Bluetooth solutions.
- Professional Installation: Ensure proper installation and certification by qualified professionals.
Not sure? Contact Hearing Loop Australia for expert assessments and compliance support. Accessibility starts here!
AS1428.5 recommends that Hearing Augmentation is available at all reception desks, tellers amd counters. There are a range of user friendly, fixed or portable Cross-the-Counter solutions that include microphones and allow people of all shapes and sizes to communicate freely with those with a hearing impairment.
Portable Hearing Augmentation Systems are ideal for an organisation that wants to be more inclusive. The portable systems can be used for events, outdoor areas, community facilities. They are easy to use and have 8 hours battery life.
The use of a Soundfield Speaker has a proven impact on the ability of a student to concentrate and understand the teacher in a classroom environment. Use of the soundfield allows the teacher to hear and actively manage the sound in the classroom to get the best outcome for their voice and the students learning. In a classroom, the Roger system can be expanded to include a Soundfield Speaker, Roger Touchscreen Teacher Microphone, Roger Media Hub and other items that greatly enhance the listeners experience, whilst forming a compliant hearing augmentation solution.
We especially recommend this solution in Elite Education and Special Schools where concentration and clarity are pivotal to their success.
Our Hall Solution is designed to suit larger areas with a commercial public address/ audio visual system. The Roger Touchscreen Transmitter takes a line out from the AV System and transmits it up to 20 metres. Access to a Hall system is via the Roger Wall Pilot which is mounted at the common access points. Roger Neckloop receivers are required for adult access and compliance. The range can be extended with the Roger Repeaters. The Hall Soundfield Package can include speakers and microphones.
In classrooms and other small spaces, we recommend the Roger Media Hub is used in combination with the Roger Neckloop Receivers and other items to achieve compliance.
We generally recommend Roger Hearing Augmentation for the following reasons:
- Optimum performance & increased compatibility with a children’s hearing aids as they use the same technology,
- Minimal wiring required / low installation cost,
- No interference / feedback issues with metal structures, other technology, music equipment,
- Children have no need for a neck loop, reducing stigma and increasing uptake, and simultaneously reducing number of neck loops required therefore decreasing cost,
- Simple maintenance / support (no need to remove carpet or redo wiring),
- Expandable to a Soundfield solution to benefit all children including covering the teachers voice (normal hearing, and hearing impaired),
- Not dependant on T‐coil in hearing devices. Majority of children hearing instruments will not have T‐coil activated by their audiologist.
Download GLA Installation Guide
AS1428.5-2010 (R2016) requires a hearing augmentation system to be provided where an in-built amplification system such as telecommunications systems, EWIS system, public address system and telephone services are installed in a public building or space designed for 5 or more people. D3.7 further classifies a class 9b building with in-built amplification as requiring hearing augmentation. Typically churches, meeting rooms, classrooms, halls and auditoriums with in-built speakers, TV’s and PA Systems will require hearing augmentation.
Your building surveyor, architect or electrical engineer will be able to confirm if the space falls into this category.
We recommend Roger Hearing Solutions and Assistive Technology, particularly in education.
Here is why……
Australian Hearing are the sole CSO funded provider of services that can be accessed by children and young adults under the age of 26 in Australia. Due to the size requirements, product ranges, support and many other reasons the majority of Australian children are provided with Hearing Aids, and/or Cochlear Implants with Roger Receivers (depending on suitability etc). Most children are also provided with a Roger Touchscreen Microphone (or Transmitter).
NCC / BCA D3.7
The NCC/BCA Requirements (D3.7) Hearing Augmentation, states that, any room or space with an in-built amplified sound system, or public interface requires a hearing augmentation system. Typical areas in educational facilities can include:
- Teaching/learning spaces,
- Resource spaces,
- Performing Arts & Theatres,
- Sports Halls & Multi‐Purpose Halls,
- Front counters, Receptions, conferences rooms, meeting rooms, Ticket Boxes etc.
We recommend Roger Hearing Augmentation in an education setting for the following reasons:
- Optimum performance and increased compatibility with a children’s hearing aids as they use the same technology,
- Minimal wiring required / low installation cost,
- No interference / feedback issues with metal structures, other technology, music equipment,
- Children have no need for a neck loop, reducing stigma and increasing uptake, and reducing number of neck loops required therefore decreasing cost,
- Simple maintenance / support (no need to remove carpet or redo wiring),
- Expandable to a Soundfield solution to benefit all children including covering the teachers voice (normal hearing, and hearing impaired),
- Not dependant on T‐coil in hearing devices. Majority of child hearing instruments will not have T‐coil activated by their audiologist,
- BCA D3.7 – The number of receivers should be adjusted to exclude children as they do not require receivers. For a BCA C3.7 compliant solution please contact us.
When is hearing augmentation required?
Disability (Access to Premises — Buildings) Standards 2010 – D3.7 requires a hearing augmentation system to be provided where an in-built amplification system is installed in the following types of buildings / rooms:
(a) in a room in a Class 9b assembly building; or
(b) in an auditorium, conference room, meeting room, room for judicatory purposes, or a room in a Class 9b building; or
(c) at any ticket office, teller’s booth, reception area or the like, where the public is screened from the service provider.
Your building surveyor, architect or electrical engineer will be able to confirm if the building falls into this category. Typically churches, meeting rooms, classrooms, halls and auditoriums with in-built speakers, TV’s and PA Systems will require hearing augmentation.
Which solutions are compliant?
Our compliant Hearing Augmentation solutions include:
- Phonak Roger wireless system with personal induction receivers such as our Education and Hall Solutions,
- Induction Loop or,
- Cross-the-counter system for reception and ticket booths.
Phonak Roger wireless hearing augmentation systems
Phonak Roger wireless hearing augmentation systems use Roger 2.4 GHz transmission with frequency hopping technology to provide access for adults with telecoil-enabled hearing aids using a personal induction loop called a MyLink Receiver. The number of receivers required for adults is governed by the building code D3.7 (2). Australian Hearing issues children with personal Roger receivers which connect directly to the Roger wireless hearing augmentation system. Headphones are also recommended for those without telecoil enabled hearing aids to access the audio feed.
A Roger Repeater may be required to ensure coverage of the required floor area.
Induction Loop
An induction loop must be provided to not less than 80% of the floor area of the room or space served by the in-built amplification system. The ability of an induction loop to provide compliant coverage is impacted by a large number of factors including room size, shape and construction type, proximity to other electronic equipment including other induction loops and the audio input available. Please contact us and a consultant will assist you in achieving compliance of your induction loop.
Other Requirements
Braille Signs are required for compliance with Disability (Access to Premises — Buildings) Standards 2010 – D3.6.
Note compliance is subject to floor area coverage, receiver requirements and signage requirements
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