Thanks to all those who responded to the request for hearing loop systems on library counters. I have copied the replies in the first part of this email and a list of suppliers at the end.


The theory's great, and the practice is fine IF the loops are installed
by people who know what they're doing and understand that positioning of loop and customer are crucial to successful operation!
 
Unfortunately our loops were not installed by experts - they were
purchased for us and put in by general contractors. 
 
We hold training sessions for staff on "Deaf Awareness" in our building,
with trainers from the local Deaf Society - they are delighted by the
idea of loops, and check that ours are working as well as can be
expected, but with hindsight, we would have been much more successful with a specialised contractor and advice in advance from the Deaf Society.

Problems
Lack off awareness of how they are supposed to work, so staff do
not know if they are on or off; people try to use them too near computer
monitors, so interference generates noise; no power supply where equipment installed!

Things you need to take into consideration when installing a room
loop:

* Do you have computers/security gates or system in the area -
sometimes these can interfere with the loop.  You will need to ask the
company you are buying the loop from to test the area to make sure it will
work.  

* Ask the supplier to come and check your building to see if it is
suitable for an induction  room loops.


I helped local staff install the hearing loops on the counter following the
instructions given. We had to ask a member of the public with a hearing aid to help us with the adjustments to get the sound level correct. 

 There are many different types of loop systems.  I have given the addresses
of some companies below:

  Univox 70A system installed around 1995 by Gordon Morris Ltd.,
Baltonsborough, Glastonbury, BA6 8QY. Tel: 01458 850396,

AJ Sound & Vision Ltd, 2nd Floor, Warwick House, London, W14 8PU.
020 7373 4639/Fax 020 7370 2823/website www.ajsoundvision.co.uk

l 

Equipment is very simple - just a microphone (same as used with computers),
a little box with few controls and the aerial, which is like an adhesive
mousemat in size and shape - this goes under counter top out of way.

The Borough of Poole used Communication Services Ltd of Wareham, Dorset.
Very helpful if we get problems.

Full details: 28 Filleul Road, Sandford, Wareham, Dorset BH20 7AP, Tel 01929
553407, Fax 01929 0550967. 

 Operations Manager
 Mini Loop System Limited
 Rowan House
 Quarrywood Court
 Livingston
 EH54 6AX

 RNID
 Sound Advantage
 1 Metro Centre
 Welbeck Way
 Peterborough
 PE2 7UH

 HPI Ltd
 95 Heaton Road
 Stockport
 SK4 4JH

 Connevans Limited
 54 Albert Road North
 Reigate
 Surrey
 RH2 9YR

 SigNET 
 Tower Road
 Glover Industrial Estate
 Washington
 Tyne & Wear
 NE37 2SA

We use a supplier called Miniloop Systems Ltd of Rowan House
Quarrywood Court, Livingston, EH54 6AX
Tel:- 01506 497158
Fax:- 01506 497148

They did an audit of our loops which are on all library issue counters
They also supplied portable induction loops

Approx. Costs:-
Portable loop -     £225
Video     -            £10
Mains loop:-         £210
Installation:-         £30

The contact we use in Birmingam is Sue Rothery at RNID Sound Advantage 01733
238020.

Southampton Central Library installed induction loops on all counters and enquiry desks approximately five years ago. We used a company called DAT. Their contact is Paul Cox Tel: 01202 682795 
Address: 59 Hemmings Park Road, Oakdale, Poole, Dorset, BH15 3QX
.
Monmouthshire use the following supplier

Gordon Morris Ltd
Glastonbury

Tel: 01458 850396

www.gordonmorris.co.uk

We have always found them to give a good service when we have used them in
the past.





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