Hearing Loops have been in use in Europe since the 1980’s. Nearly all churches in Europe are looped today. Modern hearing loop technology has been refined and vastly improved in both the drivers (amplifiers) and the loop designs.

In the past decade there has been a movement to Loop America. In 2010, the ADA (American with Disabilities Act) passed a bill to include Standards for Accessible Design which expanded the definition of a disability to include the words speech, vision, and hearing requiring both physical access and effective communication. 

Section 219 - Assistive Listening Systems, in summary states: "in places of public assembly where audible communication is used to provide direction or critical information an assistive listening system is required to be provided for people with hearing loss and in conformance with Appendix L performance requirements. " 

Hearing loop systems (also called induction loop systems) are by design compatible with all hearing aids and cochlear implants equipped with a T-coil. No additional special receiving device is needed. 

If this sign is accompanied by a ‘T’ symbol then it means that an Audio Induction Loop (AFIL) or Hearing Loop (as it is more commonly referred too) is in venue, the user can then turn their hearing aid to the ‘T’ position (t-coil) and enjoy an instant connection to the audio signal that is being transmitted.

 It is only a subtle difference in the sign, but one that has a profound impact on the users experience. Many modern signs also include Braille to help assist those who have sight and hearing loss and will therefore be in a very open and easily seen location.