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ADA Requirements for Listening Devices

In 1990, the U.S. government passed a law called the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). One of the law's mandates requires public facilities to have assistive listening devices available for those who are disabled. ADA requires assistive listening devices in any assembly area or room if it is meant to accommodate a group of people for any purpose, from a social gathering to eating food. Assistive listening systems or devices help eliminate the effects of distance and background noise that make it difficult for some to understand the sounds when they are in an assembly area for a concert or a play.

  1. Number of Systems Required

    • Every building owner of a public facility that has an assemblage area, is required to provide assistive listening devices for their customers. If the assembly area is to hold a minimum of 50 people and it has fixed seating, ADA requires that a permanent assistive listening system is installed. Other types of assembly areas may have a portable assistive listening device or system, provided they have enough receivers to equal 4 percent of the total number of seats, or a minimum of two devices on hand.

    Signage

    • In the assembly area, there must be a sign stating the availability of the assistive listening device or system, so that people entering the room or facility know that it is an option for them. The signage shall have the international symbol of hearing loss, which is basically a simplistic drawing of an ear with a line going across it. The signs must be permanently mounted and follow ADA guidelines for signage requirements. It is also required that signs showing the appropriate locations for using the receivers within the spaces.

    Placement

    • If the assistive listening device or system is for a fixed seating area with individual seats, then the listening system must be placed within 50 feet of the stage area, and the listeners are required to have complete view of the stage area. Many times this seating is combined with the required accessible seating areas for assemblies. Portable devices can be used; their location can depend on whether they require an electrical outlet or are battery operated. Many times, assembly areas have appropriate outlets in the floors to accommodate various locations for their assistive listening devices.

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