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Imagine a child falling behind in school because he can't understand his teacher. Or going
to a movie, concert or the theater, just to hear white noise and echoes. Why attend church
if you can't hear the message? Airports and public transportation -- you run the risk
of missing a gate change or important announcement. It's embarrassing, aggravating, scary and
isolating. But this sign changes all that. Do you know what it means? It's not nearly
as recognizable as it should be. Here's a hint. You'll find them posted at Westminster Abbey,
Logan Airport, Gerald R. Ford International Airport and the US Senate and House of Representatives.
But, they should be everywhere. This sign means the facility is looped. And for 36 million
adults, who suffer from hearing loss, and the children born with the number one reported
birth defect, it means the difference between hearing and not hearing. We don't have a lot
of control over things that affect the lives of so many. We don't know where the next epidemic
will start and we can't predict when the cures for diseases will be discovered. But, we can
do something to change the lives of millions, who suffer from hearing loss. Especially,
when it is as easy as looping. Looping is basically running a coil around the perimeter
of a facility. 80% of all hearing aid devices and all cochlear implants have t-coil technology
built-in. These t-coils pick up the audio signal, which is amplified by the coil and
delivers a direct feed to your hearing device. In a looped facility with a quick switch to
the T setting, you go from hearing this to this. This sign is a symbol to the hearing
impaired that in this place they're heard and they are welcome not just to be there,
but to interact, join in and feel comfortable in this place.