New Requirements for Assistive Listening Systems (ALS)
You can find most of these changes in sections 219 and 706 of the 2010 Standards.
Requirements: ALSs are required where audible communication is integral to the use of the space, but are not required where audio amplification is not provided.
Hearing Aid Compatibility: 25% of the receivers must be hearing aid compatible, which means that the ALS receiver must be usable with an induction neckloop that interfaces with the telecoil in an individual’s personal hearing aid or cochlear implant.
Technical Requirements
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Receivers must have a 1/8 inch (3.5 mm) standard monojack.
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ALSs must be capable of providing sound pressure levels of 110 dB minimum and 118 dB maximum with a dynamic volume control range of 50 dB; the signalto-noise ratio for internally generated noise must be 18 dB minimum; and the peak clipping must not exceed 18 dB of clipping relative to the peaks of speech.
Number of Receivers Required: Use the following table to calculate how many receivers must be provided.
|
2010 ADA Standards Receivers for Assistive Listening Systems |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Capacity of Seating in Assembly Area |
Minimum # of Required Receivers |
Minimum # of Receivers Required to be Hearing-aid Compatible |
|
50 or less |
2 |
2 |
|
51 to 200 |
2, plus 1 per 25 seats over 50 seats or fraction thereof |
2 |
|
201 to 500 |
2, plus 1 per 25 seats over 50 seats or fraction thereof |
1 per 4 receivers or fraction thereof |
|
501 to 1000 |
20, plus 1 per 33 seats over 500 seats or fraction thereof |
1 per 4 receivers or fraction thereof |
|
1001 to 2000 |
35, plus 1 per 50 seats over 1000 seats or fraction thereof |
1 per 4 receivers or fraction thereof |
|
2001 and over |
55 plus 1 per 100 seats over 2000 seats or fraction thereof |
1 per 4 receivers or fraction thereof |
|
EXAMPLE Theater A has a maximum seating capacity of 2225. Per the previous chart, they are required to have 55 receivers (the minimum) plus 1 per 100 seats over 2000 seats or fraction thereof (the additional receivers). Calculate the additional receivers using the chart above. Always round up.
Calculate the number of hearing-aid compatible receivers. (1 out of 4, or 25%). Always round up.
Theater A is required to have 58 receivers, 15 of which must be hearing-aid compatible. |
FIND IT IN THE REGULATIONS
State and Local Governments: Title II regulations at 28 CFR 35.151 and the 2004 ADAAG at 36 CFR part 1191, appendices B and D
Places of Public Accommodation: Title III regulations at 28 CFR part 36, subpart D; and the 2004 ADAAG at 36 CFR part 1191, appendices B and D
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