Earlier this year, the City of North Vancouver added new accessibility features at City buildings to improve communication services.
Hearing assistive technologies, known as hearing loops, were added to key reception counters across City Hall, North Shore Emergency Management (NSEM) and the North Vancouver RCMP. Community members that have cochlear implants or hearing aids with a telecoil (T-coil) now have access to increased communications support when visiting these reception areas. Portable hearing loops are also available at NSEM Emergency Operations Centre.
This technology also advances the City’s Accessibility Plan, which aims to build accessibility into everything the City does, while working to make North Vancouver a fairer, more welcoming place for all.
What Are Hearing Loops?
A hearing loop is an assistive listening system that wirelessly transmits sound from a microphone directly to a cochlear implant or hearing aid with a T-coil feature. When near the area where the loop is installed, hearing loops help those with hearing loss receive speech clearly.
Accessing Hearing Loops at City Buildings
When a hearing device is switched to the T-coil or Loop setting, sound is transmitted directly to the user, minimizing the background noise and improving speech clarity. Community members with compatible hearing devices can activate their T-coil setting to automatically benefit from the enhanced audio quality. Many hearing aids have a T-coil feature, but the setting may need to be turned on by an audiologist.
Hearing loop systems are now available at select reception and customer service areas across the City, helping make everyday interactions more accessible, comfortable and inclusive. Signage is displayed at equipped counters to help visitors identify where support is available.
Meeting the City’s Accessibility Plan
The introduction of hearing loops reflects the City’s ongoing commitment to reducing barriers and fostering inclusive access to civic services. Accessible communication is essential to participation, independence and belonging. Hearing loops are one of several practical measures being implemented as part of the City’s broader accessibility efforts, informed by community input and best practices.
For more information on hearing loops and the City’s Accessibility Plan, visit cnv.org/Accessibility.