People with hearing loss will soon be able to better enjoy productions in Minot State University’s Ann Nicole Nelson Hall. Midwest Hearing Loops has installed a “hearing loop” in the auditorium, which is located in Old Main.

“(People with a hearing loss) can sit anywhere in the facility and turn their hearing aid or cochlear implant to t-coil,” said Neil Scharpe, project/research director for the North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities at Minot State. Scharpe said this will enable them to hear much better what is going on. A hearing induction loop system transmits magnetic energy to the telecoil-equipped hearing aid or cochlear implant, essentially turning the hearing aid into a customized in-the-ear loudspeaker.

Midwest Hearing Loops was wiring the $38,000 system at Ann Nicole Nelson Hall last week and planned to finish by Friday.

Steve Walsh, a partner in Midwest Hearing Loops, said the vast majority of hearing aids and cochlear implants are telecoil equipped, but they aren’t always turned on. He suggested that people visit their audiologist or hearing aid provider and ask them to enable the t-coil setting. Walsh said he has never known a provider to charge to enable the t-coil setting.

The looping system in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall was funded by the Minot Area Community Foundation and by the Minot Sertoma Club. On the national level, the Sertoma Club has long advocated for its clubs to fund these projects.

Scharpe said the local Sertoma Club was inspired by the experiences of member Al Larson. Scharpe said Larson had hearing aids for years and recently got a cochlear implant, but said he has never attended an event in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall.

“He said there would be no point, (that) he’d get no enjoyment out of it,” said Scharpe.

The Sertoma Organization contacted Midwest Hearing Loops, which has installed looping systems in locations throughout the five state area. Scharpe said looping systems can be put in locations of any size, from private living rooms to public venues.

Walsh and Rick Korinek, partners in Midwest Hearing Loops, said they recently installed a hearing loop at the Twin Cities International Airport. Scharpe said he heard about the company’s work in installing a looping system at the Washington Memorial Thearter in Sioux Falls. The Sertoma Club also asked Korinek and Walsh to evaluate Minot’s City Hall chambers while they were in Minot.

Walsh, who uses hearing aids, said a looping system makes a big difference in his own ability to hear in a setting like Ann Nicole Nelson Hall. When he turns his hearing aid to the t-coil setting, it is like the sound is being sent directly to him. In fact, he ends up hearing better than many of the people in the audience with normal hearing. Walsh said there are many people with hearing loss, of all ages, who can benefit from a hearing loop system. Walsh said his own hearing aid enables him to hear better, but it is still harder for him to hear what is going on in a setting with a lot of mixed background noise, like a restaurant, or from any distance. With a looping system, that disadvantage is eliminated.

Scharpe said Minot State was happy to cooperate with the effort.

“It enhances the overall appeal of Ann Nicole Nelson Hall,” said Scharpe.

Scharpe said the Sertoma Club hopes this will be the first of many looping systems in the area.

The Sertoma Club is holding a Celebrate Sound Walk at Duane Carlson Field on Thursday, June 25. The walk will raise money for the project. For more information or to donate, go to www.celebratesound.org/minot

More information about Midwest Hearing Loops, a company with 30 years of experience, can be found at www.minnesotahearingloops.com.