On March 15, 2012, the revised ADA regulation which mandates that places of public assembly provide assistive listening devices became effective. In addition, Title III covers a wide range of places of public accommodation, including retail stores and the wide range of service businesses such as hotels, theaters, restaurants, doctors' and lawyers' offices, optometrists, dentists, banks, insurance agencies, museums, parks, libraries, day care centers, recreational programs, social service agencies and private schools. It covers both profit and non-profit organizations.     

ADA General Guidelines                    

219 Assistive Listening Systems 

219.1 General. Assistive listening systems shall be provided in accordance with 219 and shall comply with 706. 

219.2 Required Systems. In each assembly area where audible communication is integral to the use of the space, an assistive listening system shall be provided. 

EXCEPTION: Other than in courtrooms, assistive listening systems shall not be required where audio amplification is not provided. 

219.3 Receivers. Receivers complying with 706.2 shall be provided for assistive listening systems in each assembly area in accordance with Table 219.3. Twenty-five percent minimum of receivers provided, but no fewer than two, shall be hearing-aid compatible in accordance with 706.3.

219.3 Receivers for Assistive Listening Systems 

Capacity of
Seating Minimum Number of in Assembly Required Receivers Area 

Minimum Number of Required Receivers Required to be Hearing-aid Compatible 

 Capacity of
Seating Minimum Number of in Assembly Required Receivers Area 

*Or fraction thereof. 

            Minimum Number of Receivers Required to be Hearing-aid Compatible 

50 or less = 2 receivers 

51 to 200 = 2 receivers, plus 1 per 25 seats over 50 seats* 

2 - 201 to 500 = 2 receivers, plus 1 per 25 seats over 50 seats* 1 per 4 receivers* 

501 to 1000 = 20 receivers, plus 1 per 33 seats over 500 seats* 1 per 4 receivers* 

1001 to 2000 = 35 receivers, plus 1 per 50 seats over 1000 seats* 1 per 4 receivers* 

EXCEPTIONS

• Where all seats in an assembly area are served by an induction loop assistive listening system, the minimum number of receivers required by Table 219.3 to be hearing-aid compatible shall not be required to be provided. 
• Where a building contains more than one assembly area and the assembly areas required to provide assistive listening systems are under one management, the total number of required receivers shall be permitted to be calculated according to the total number of seats in the assembly areas in the building provided that all receivers are usable with all systems. 

“A building or facility, or portion thereof, used for the purpose of entertainment, educational or civic gatherings, or similar purposes [‘religious entities’ are exempt from ADA]. Assembly areas include, but are not limited to, classrooms, lecture halls, courtrooms, public meeting rooms, public hearing rooms, legislative chambers, motion picture houses, auditoriums, theaters, playhouses, dinner theaters, concert halls, centers for the performing arts, amphitheaters, arenas, stadiums, grandstands, or convention centers.”    http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/2010ADAStandards/2010ADAStandards.pdf