Atan evening ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center unveiled a newly installed telecoil, or T-coil,compatible hearing loop in Thrivent Financial Hall, making it the first Broadway presenting theater in Wisconsin to offer the latest hearing loop technology. A group of donors and accessibilityadvocates attended the event which offered the Center an opportunity to celebrate this latest improvement. Susan Stockton, president ofthe Fox Cities P.A.C., expressed appreciationfor a surge of local support saying, “The Center’s accessibility services committee identified a needfor a T-coil hearing loop, but it took a community effort for this projectto take shape. So many local hearing careprofessionals have supported this initiative. I continue to beamazed by the generous support of our community, and we are thrilled to havethis service available for the Center’s 10th Anniversary Season.”
So what does a new hearing loop mean for theatergoers with hearing loss? T-coil compatible hearing loops workwith an individual’s hearing aids to create a fuller live performance experience.
“Imagine going to the theater and not being able to understand thedialogue,” saidDr. JuliëtteSterkens, a local audiologist with Fox Valley Hearing Center, Inc.and the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) hearing loop advocate. Sterkens hasbeen involved with the Center’s accessibility committee since 2009 and played a key role in raising awareness of the T-coil hearing loopsystem and its potential to aid theatergoers with hearingloss.
“A common misconception," said Sterkens, "is that hearing aids restore normalhearing. Yes, hearing aids have greatly improved in the last decade, but theysimply cannot overcome typical distances involved in theaters such as theFox Cities P.A.C.” Sterkens explained that often, with hearing aids alone,sound becomes unclear in larger venues where speakers may beplaced at a distance or the surroundings are noisy.
On Friday, August 17 and Saturday, August 18, the public is invited to test theCenter’snew T-coil compatible hearing loop during a free 10th Anniversary Open House. The Center will offer apresentation on Friday at 4:00 p.m. in the Kimberly-Clark Theater which is alsofitted with a T-coil compatible hearing loop. Festivities will include liveentertainment, backstage tours, theater workshops and activities for allages. A full schedule of events, including a Founders’ Panel discussion onFriday in Thrivent Financial Hall and a MAMMA MIA! CommunityFlash Mob on Saturday, can be found at foxcitiespac.com/ten.
The new T-coil hearing loop replaces the Center’s infrared listening system.Visitors in need of hearing assistance or whose hearing instruments are not T-coilequipped may check out complimentary lightweight headsets for hearingamplification at the Center’s information desk. Ticket agents are alsoavailable to answer questions about the Center’s hearing loop during regularbusiness hours, in person at the Center’s ticket office or by phoneat (920) 730-3760.
To learn more about the Center's new T-coil compatible hearing loop and other accessibility services, visit foxcitiespac.com.
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