By Lou and Joy Shaup
Because of Lou’s severe hearing loss, he could not hear what was being said during services and other functions at our church, First United Methodist in Upland, California (www.uplandfumc.org). It was so frustrating that he was at the point of wanting to change churches, but we were torn because we both felt totally connected to our faith community.
And that was where our hearing loop journey began…
We started by searching websites for information about hearing loss and what options were available for the hearing impaired. Lou came across the HLAA website and learned that, as a veteran, he could join at no cost plus, as first-timers, we were both able to attend the HLAA2017 Conference in Salt Lake City last year, also at no cost.
We had seen information about hearing loop technology online and made it our mission in Salt Lake City to gather as much information as possible. We visited vendor booths and attended every looping workshop offered. We talked with the hearing loop provider representatives, picked up literature, and had conversations with workshop presenters. We learned that hearing loops are a proven technology that has been around for at least 50 years. The simple equipment consists of a copper wire and an electronic transmitter that feeds sound through the wire to hearing aids or headsets equipped with telecoils (T-coils).
As we gathered more and more information we realized that looping was exactly what was needed at our church. Hearing loops can help everyone—listeners with mild to severe hearing loss, people with and without hearing aids.
When we returned from the HLAA conference we talked with our church leadership about the need for a loop system. Lou explained how isolating it felt not to be able to hear the service. We contacted reliable vendors recommended at the convention, obtained proposals with price quotes, and shared the info with our church leadership. In order to allow others to experience a hearing loop, we were able to get a temporary loop installed in our sanctuary for a Sunday service.
After much discussion, and with enthusiastic support from fellow church members, it was agreed that we should have a loop system in our sanctuary. The cost was covered by donations from generous individuals, our women’s group, and our foundation. Our installation was done by Hear Now USA.
On that initial Sunday, for the first time in a long while, Lou and many others were able to easily hear the service and feel included. Stan, a member with severe hearing loss, got up afterward and thanked the church because he was able to hear. Charlotte, another member, said, “Having the hearing loop is like night and day. I was thinking of no longer attending, because I couldn’t hear what was being said. Now I hear everything.”
Our hearing loop has now been in place for a year. Those who wear hearing aids with a t-coil can access the system directly. In order that everyone who needs hearing help can benefit, we have also purchased headsets to be used by members who do not wear hearing aids. Some people like Joy, who have hearing aids without t-coils, have purchased other hearing assistive devices to use with their aids. (Joy’s advice: If you purchase new hearing aids, tell the provider to make sure they have telecoils.)
Feedback continues to be very positive. We have reached out to members who stopped attending due to hearing loss, inviting them to return as full participants. Our church has now purchased a portable loop system with a set of microphones to be used in other areas such as classrooms and our fellowship hall for meetings and activities. Each room is wired and the portable system can be moved as needed.
We want to emphasize that churches and other public venues need to look beyond the cost. Including everyone is so important and hearing loss is becoming more prevalent in our aging population, as well as with many younger people who are exposed to loud noises. We are delighted to report that, as of this writing, at least one other nearby church has inquired about the system.
What a blessing for all of us!
Louis Shaup is a veteran, a retired business executive, and a member of the Board of Trustees of HLAA-CA.
Joy Shaup is a retired librarian who has served as co-president of United Methodist Women and remains an active UMW volunteer. The couple live in Rancho Cucamonga.
This article was originally published in The Hearing Loss Californian in Winter 2018-19.
