Project: KPBS Public Media

KPBS Public Media Partners with LightWerks to Implement ListenIR and ListenRF for Assistive Listening

The Hearing Challenge

KPBS Public Media needed assistive listening technology in its conference rooms and boardrooms that would meet compliance requirements for assistive listening. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the California Building Code (CDC), assistive listening systems are required in many public meeting spaces, including conference rooms, boardrooms, and community areas where audible communication is integral to the use of space. (Section 11B-219.2)

The Assistive Listening Solution

Finding an assistive listening technology that is simple, reliable, and works for everyone can be challenging, but LightWerks felt confident proposing ListenIR and ListenRF for the KPBS project.

The ListenIR and ListenRF systems transmit venue audio to receivers that listeners wear on a lanyard around their neck. They use headphones or earbuds connected to the receiver to hear the audio. Listeners with telecoil-equipped hearing aids or cochlear implants can use a neckloop to transmit audio from the receiver to their hearing aids or cochlear implants.

Result

ListenIR’s line-of-sight infrared technology ensures audio is contained within walls and prevents interference between adjacent rooms. This makes it an ideal choice for assistive listening in settings where confidentiality is critical. The superior ListenIR iDSP receivers, encased with infrared transparent material, enhance reception and virtually eliminate audio dropouts. The ListenIR system can also be used in multiple rooms, providing a flexible audio solution for boardrooms and conference rooms.

ListenRF has very low latency and can be used in larger spaces, as well as outdoors. Both systems deliver crystal clear sound directly to listeners, maintaining exceptional speech intelligibility without amplifying ambient noise. ListenIR and ListenRF helped KPBS Public Media ensure compliance with ADA requirements for assistive listening.