Music is universal and ageless. No matter how young or old, everyone loves to rock out at a concert! Many stadiums and arenas now offer assistive listening devices (ALDs) for their hard-of-hearing patrons. Check out some of the upcoming tours that are stopping at hearing-accessible venues, so you can rock on with your hearing aid!
What is an ALD?
An ALD is a device that uses a microphone to capture audio and then broadcast it into a receiver. Most ALD systems at big concert venues use FM or infrared transmission that sends sounds into a portable receiver (often worn around the neck). Some venues might offer ALDs that are equipped with induction loops, which will work with your hearing aid’s telecoil setting (if you have it). Before going to a concert, google the ADA accessibility of the venue or call the venue directly and ask them for specifics about the ALDs they offer. See below for a small sample of upcoming rock shows and telecoil-enabled concert halls.
Billy Joel – In Concert
12/8/17 @ Moda Center, Portland OR: Venue offers ASL interpreters, ALDs, and broadcasts events via FM radio
12/31/17 @ BB&T Center, Sunrise FL: Venue provides ALDs and sign language interpreters
3/28/18 @ Madison Square Garden, New York NY: Venue provides ALDs and also has audio induction loops at certain box office windows and the Guest Experience office
Foo Fighters’ Concrete and Gold Tour
12/2/17 @ Golden 1 Center, Sacramento CA: Venue provides Assisitive Listening Devices (ALDs) and closed captioning devices
12/5/17 @ Matthew Knight Arena, Eugene OR: Venue offers ALDs and sign language interpreters, upon request
12/10/17 @ Casper Events Center, Casper WY: Venue provides ALDs, headphones, and unspecified other listening devices
Bob Dylan & Mavis Staples
11/17 @ Palace Theater, Albany NY: Venue provides ALDs
11/25 @ Beacon Theater, New York NY: Venue offers ALDs and sign language interpreters
In addition to many venues offering Assistive Listening Devices, some concert halls also use induction loops to give their hard-of-hearing guests a better listening experience. While induction loop technology has been introduced in America, it is still not widespread (unlike in the UK, where most public venues have hearing loop systems).
However, there are a few large venues in America that offer induction loops (check out this list of loops by state)! For instance, The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. offers both ALDs and headsets with loops. Anyone who has telecoil-enabled hearing aids or cochlear implants can tune into the induction loop to hear the music more clearly. If you live in the DC area or are planning a trip soon, the Kennedy Center should be at the top of your list! Some of their upcoming events include:
Ben Folds ft. Sara Bareilles and Caroline Shaw (Jan 12, 2018)
Melissa Etheridge (Jun 22 & 23, 2018)
Hamilton (June 12 – Sept 16, 2018)