New Hearing Loop Installed at Blackwood Miners Institute

An upgraded state of the art infrared hearing loop system has been installed in Blackwood Miners' Institute's main auditorium.

A hearing loop system helps deaf people who use a hearing aid hear sounds more clearly because it reduces or cuts out background noise. In a theatre, a loop can help users hear the show more clearly. Headsets are also available for those who are hard of hearing but do not use a hearing aid.

"The installation of this specialist equipment is just one of the many ways with which the Authority is providing increased access to goods, services and facilities under the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act," says Simon Dixon, DDA Officer for Caerphilly County Borough Council.

The new infrared system replaces the faulty induction loop system that was installed previously. Infrared systems are less likely to have problems with interference and have a higher quality of sound and work by transmitting the sound via a microphone using an invisible infrared light.

Those wishing to use the new system simply need to ask a member of staff on arrival at the theatre who will assist them. A factsheet on infrared hearing systems is available on the RNID website.