Old name, new purpose: why we’ve gone back to RNID

Hearing loops

Learn how a hearing loop works, the benefit of getting one and how RNID can help.

Around 50% of people with hearing loss have had a problem accessing goods and services. A hearing loop will help make your organisation accessible to anyone who uses hearing aids – and make sure you’re compliant with equality legislation. 

We’ve partnered with Contacta Systems Ltd, a global leader of assistive listening systems, to instal hearing loops. Between us and Contacta, we have over 50 years’ experience installing hearing loop systems to the relevant industry standards. Contacts has also created guidelines and advocated for a high quality of service for loop systems. 

We offer annual maintenance contracts for good value to make sure the hearing loop stays in working order. 

For general information, advice or to obtain a quote, contact [email protected].

RNID receives a 5% donation for every hearing loop system installed and referred to Contacta via this dedicated email address.

“Great service, great team, great communication and reporting. Will definitely recommend and use the team again should I need hearing loops for the other buildings I manage.” 

The Crown Estate

Read our reviews on Trustpilot


How hearing loops work 

A hearing loop helps people with hearing loss to hear conversations more easily. It works when a person’s hearing aids, cochlear implant or loop listener is switched to the hearing loop setting. Sound is transmitted wirelessly directly to the hearing device. This reduces the distracting background noises. 

There are 2 types of hearing loops available: 

  1. Counter loops. These are recommended for reception areas and service desks 
  2. Large area loops. These are suitable for meeting or training rooms. They can also be fitted into larger spaces such as auditoriums, places of worship or theatres.

Finding the right hearing loop for your organisation 

Whether you’re considering a new hearing loop system or your current system needs attention, we can help. 

Our partner Contacta Systems Ltd has a dedicated team that can explain which loop systems will work best well for you. They can tailor a solution for your needs, whether that’s installing a hearing loop in a large meeting room; or a window intercom system to improve communication with customers through screens and barriers. 

They can advise and support you from the initial concept stage through to installation. They will make sure the hearing support system is installed to meet industry standards and your own unique requirements. 

Contacta has a network of engineers across the UK and can offer site surveys and installations, annual maintenance and service calls.


More about hearing loops

Legal requirements around hearing loops

The Equality Act 2010 and Disability Discrimination Act in Northern Ireland protect people who are deaf or have hearing loss from discrimination. It states that service providers cannot discriminate against people by refusing to provide a service or offering a service of a lower standard.

The Department for Communities and Local Government have set out in the ‘The Building Regulations 2010 – access and use of buildings’ that all people should have access to, and the use of, all the facilities provided within buildings.

It states that to obtain the full benefit of situations such as discussions or performances, “a person with hearing loss must receive a signal that is amplified in both volume and signal to noise ratio,” and provision must be made for a permanent system in larger spaces. The document provides information on available technologies and the spaces in which they should be fitted.

The BS8300 is the UK Building Code of Practice revised in 2018. This code of practice is the most detailed and specific document for assistive listening integration and the obligations for service providers and venues.

The BS8300 was compiled by the British Standards Institution (BSI) detailing the required design of buildings for meeting the needs of disabled people and promotes equal access to services and buildings. It contains many examples, including detailed information on how and where assistive listening technologies should be integrated in the built environment.

Fixing hearing loops

Our partner, Contacta, will get your hearing loop up and running again in no time.

Email [email protected] to arrange a service call. 

Maintaining hearing loops

We recommend you maintain your hearing loop every 12 months. Our installation partner Contacta offers annual maintenance and service call schemes to keep it in good working order.

Email [email protected] for details.


Why you should choose RNID 

We’re the leading charity for people with hearing loss. No one is better placed to help. 

We have over 25 years’ experience installing hearing loop systems to the relevant industry standards and provide excellent-value annual maintenance contracts to ensure that everything stays in working order.

Get in touch

For general information, advice or to obtain a quote, contact [email protected].

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Page last updated: 27 February 2024

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