Sound Design
The pre-event sound check (below) should also be used during a tech check when the sound is first configured and designed.
It is preferable to involve a person with hearing loss early on. Invite a knowledgeable person with hearing loss who has telecoils in their devices or a person with expert assistive listening system (ALS) skills to test the system and give feedback. This person should have experience with a minimum of 5 facilities, be knowledgeable in how ALS works, be knowledgeable hearing loss beyond their own lived experience, and be able to use their telecoils to test your system (either directly in a hearing loop, or using a neckloop with FM/RF and IR systems).
Every pre-event* sound check, prior to the customers’ presence
Please don’t assume that since the assistive listening system (ALS) worked last time, it will work today. These checks should only take a few minutes and will know that your system is working and you are ready for customers**. The purpose is to ensure that the assistive listening system is working for the event’s audio configuration.
- Video check. Play a video to check that the sound from the video goes to the ALS.
- Microphone check. (2 people needed, loudspeakers off) a) one person speaks into a microphone that is used for the event, and b) a second person uses a receiver and headphones. Turn the loudspeaker off and then on. The ALS should have the ability to have greater volume than the loudspeaker’s volume, and still have room to increase the receiver volume, for customer who need even more volume. E.g., at 70% of the receiver volume, the ALS should be louder than the loudspeaker. The receiver should make a difference. Make adjustments with the “audio out” volume on the sound board mixer. Care should be given to adjust the ALS transmitter.
- Latency check. With the loudspeaker on. Put the headphones over one ear, so that one ear hears the ALS, and other ear hears the room’s ambient sound. Speak into the microphone. There should be no latency.
Every event
Customers will be frustrated if they must wait until the start of your event to verify that your ALS has been turned on and any borrowed receiver equipment is operational. Ideally, the customer can check their equipment when they borrow ALS equipment, rather than when they find their seats. Most folks are reluctant to seek help once the program is underway.
- Play event recording. Your sound technician can first play a special pre-event audio recording (links be that can be heard ONLY through the ALS as people enter the space. Below are 2 recording file examples to get you started. It’s great to make your own. Just be sure to turn the recording off when the event begins!
- Shedd-hearing loop announcement (1:43, .mp3)
- Generic hearing loop announcement (1.43, .mp3)
“Welcome to __(site name)__. You are listening to our _hearing loop/FM/infrared system__. If you can hear this, the system is working.”
Consumers will be delighted to know you have taken care to be ready for them.
*performance, service, or program
**patron or guests
