Project: Beck Center for the Arts

Beck Center for the Arts is a non-profit performing arts and arts education organization dedicated to inspiring and enriching the quality of life for Northeastern Ohioans. Beck Center combines professional theatrical productions with comprehensive curriculum-based arts education in Creative Arts Therapies, dance, music, theater, and visual arts, serving over 60,000 patrons annually in Cuyahoga, Lorain, Lake, Medina, and Summit Counties.

Challenge
Beck Center for the Arts had an aging assistive listening system that was not working correctly and not serving its patrons. Fewer and fewer people were requesting the equipment because of its poor performance. Because Beck Center is strongly committed to providing accessibility for its patrons, Larry Goodpaster, Director of Finance and Operations, led the charge to replace the older assistive listening system to accommodate patrons with hearing loss. An additional consideration included the opportunity to install an assistive listening system in their 100-seat black box theater to improve accessibility for those attending productions in that smaller theater.

Solution
After looking at various technologies and brands of assistive listening systems, Goodpaster and his team looked at ease of installation and use, considered the online reviews, and concluded that Listen Technologies’ ListenRF system was the best fit.

“One of the advantages of the ListenRF assistive listening system is that you can be up and running in minutes. The installation was simple. We hooked up the ListenRF system in the sound booths by connecting it to the audio sources. We determined the best location for the antenna in both theaters for the best coverage and reception and then played with the sound mix to ensure it sounded great. We tested the system from different seats in the theater, and the sound quality is excellent,” said Larry Goodpaster.

Result
“We have received excellent feedback about the new ListenRF assistive listening system from our patrons. We’ve repeatedly heard that the system made their theater experience better. It makes such a difference for those with hearing loss. The crystal clear audio means better speech intelligibility. Better intelligibility means patrons with hearing loss enjoy the same great experience as their hearing peers. They are now able to fully engage with action on the stage,” added Lucinda (Cindy) Einhouse, President and CEO of Beck Center for the Arts. “We are also excited to offer the high-quality neck loops required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for use with hearing aids and cochlear implants.
Additionally, having two theaters, it’s great to have the ability to use the receivers in either of the theaters if the need arises. And it’s so easy to do! That’s a huge plus when you’re dealing with multiple spaces,” continued Goodpaster.

Because everyone deserves the same great experience.