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The floor of Hall D at the Greater Columbus Convention Center is covered by a grid of bright yellow tape, under which is a wire connected to the sound system in the hall. This audio-induction loop, also known as a hearing loop, enables those with telecoil-equipped hearing aids or cochlear implants to listen directly to the PA system. Headsets can also be used to pick up the signal from the hearing loop. Linking the equipment in this way helps to eliminate background noise for those with hearing loss.
According to Juliëtte Sterkens, the hearing loop advocate for the Hearing Loss Association of America, this “would no doubt qualify for the country’s largest temporary hearing loop installation.”
Warren Brown, a member of the UU Church of Akron, installed the system. Brown says it uses 7,500 feet of wire and tape covering about 50,000 square feet.