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Introduction
Portable Loop Systems 
Sound Systems for Installation or Hire
Medical and Dental Surgeries and Consulting Rooms
Loops for Counter and Reception Desks
Systems Price List
Introduction

Sound systems for use in public places are generally used to reinforce or relay sound to a
hall, church or auditorium or to other parts of the building from some central point.

Sound is said to be reinforced when the audience can hear the original sound (eg from
stage or rostrum) both directly and via the sound amplification system. Hence the term
sound reinforcement.

A sound system may also relay sound to areas of a building where the original performer,
speaker or musician, cannot be heard without the use of the sound system. This may be
used, for example, in a large sports arena or to relay speech or music to different parts of
a building where the sound source is out of earshot. This type of a system is known as a
public address system.

The most basic sound system comprises four main elements: at least one microphone,
one sound amplifier, at least one loudspeaker and an equipment rack or console to
house the equipment. 

The Hearing Loop System is a special type of sound system for use by people with
hearing aids.

How the Hearing Loop System works

The diagram below illustrates a simple loop system, and how it is interconnected.

Sound is collected by one or more microphones. The very small electrical output from these microphones is mixed with any audio signal required (e.g. CD player) and fed to the Induction Loop Driver, which drives a powerful current through the loop. This transmits the electrical signals to the hearing aid switched to ‘T, so that any sound, whether speech or music, is heard directly and clearly in the hearing aid.

For the technically minded, the loop system works on the principal of electro-magnetic
induction. Hence the term Induction Loop System. The amplifier is known as an Induction
Loop Driver. The induction coil in the hearing aid is known as the telecoil. This comes into
play when the hearing aid is switched to ‘T’. The hearing loop system is, in effect, a
wireless transmission system in which the hearing aid becomes a wireless receiver, when
switched to "T". Because it operates at audio frequencies, the hearing loop system is
generally known as an Audio Frequency Induction Loop System or AFILS

Ferrosound offer an AFILS design-to-commission service with full training & technical
support, for both installed and portable systems. Though simple in principle, AFILS require careful and sometimes complex design by an engineer experienced in the field. This is especially so in medical environments where special chairs and beds are often used for examinations and treatments.

With over 20 years experience in the field, our systems are well conceived, well-engineered
and user-friendly products. All systems include a tutorial with full instructions, and telephone technical support.

The AFILS Code of Practice BS 7594 covers all aspects of design, operation and customer service, for AFILS in public places. Over 80 pages in length, this Code sets the standards
which hearing impaired people need and are entitled to expect. We will not knowingly breach this code, nor lower our design and engineering standards, in order to cut costs or compete with other AFILS suppliers.

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Portable Loop Systems

PLS-20/35 with desk microphone, loop cable reel and monitor phone.

Ferrosound have developed and custom-build a range of portable hearing loop systems and accessories for use in the community.  Each system is built into a portable equipment case, fully pre-wired and ready for use. The systems cover loop areas from 20-500 square metres, depending on loop shape. A wide range of microphones and accessories is available for all applications.

A strong carry-bag is also available for microphone stands and accessories. To ease the journey from car park to venue, a lightweight, telescopic clipper trolley is available. This folds to a very compact size for transit. Very high quality, flexible loop wire is used, which is stored on jam-free cable reels. A "T" logo is included.

Single or twin case options are available. Twin case models allow ample space for expansion - for example, to include more microphones, additional mixing equipment, CD player or an integral sound reinforcement amplifier. Two cases also spreads the weight load.

All systems are custom made following a free telephone design consultation without obligation. This enables our engineer to design the optimum system for your requirements and budget.

Our custom-made systems are clearly labelled to identify all components, controls, cables and  accessories, and to comply with safety regulations. The loop area is indicated by the suffix number (in square metres).

The PLS-20/35, PLS-100/200 and are smaller systems, built into flight cases. The larger systems, PLS-120/200, and PLS-300/450, are very high quality, professional systems, built into lightweight, portable equipment cases, illustrated overleaf.

A Tutorial is provided with all systems, within the Manual supplied and supported by a telephone Helpline. This takes the non-technical operator set-by-step through the setting up procedure, showing how to install, test and monitor the system, so that it conforms to BS EN60118 - 4 and BS7594, in so far as these are applicable to portable systems. We strongly recommend that all operators complete this Tutorial before attempting to set up and operate the system in a public meeting.

All systems are fully pre-wired and operationally ready to go. Once the tutorial is      completed and the operator is familiar with the equipment, the following procedure will seem very simple:

· Place system on suitable table

· Fit the loop cable around the seating area.

· Plug in the required microphone(s)

· Plug into the mains and switch on

· Monitor loop level and sound quality

· Make simple adjustments, if necessary.
 

                                           Front view of a more complex custom Portable Loop System with 6
                                          channel microphone mixer and VHF wireless microphone tuner.

Systems Price List

 

 

 


 

Accessories for Portable
Loop/Sound Systems

click here for Details

 


Sound Systems For Installation or Hire

Ferrosound offer a complete service, covering the design, supply, installation and commissioning of complete sound systems, based on a thorough consultation with our clients. Systems may include the provision of both Sound Reinforcement and an Audio Frequency Induction Loop System (AFILS) for the benefit of people with hearing aids.

You may find the following articles useful. Just click the links and go to any article of special interest to you.

Please refer to the general specifications and quality standards to which Ferrosound will work, from initial survey to commissioning of the system.

A brief introduction to BS7594, the AFILS Code of Practice for hearing loops in public places, is included in the article Audio Frequency Induction Loop Systems (AFILS). As required by BS7594, we explain the limitations of the AFILS in this article.

For our professional sound system colleagues, please see the article Hire Services for Professional Sound System Providers.

To accompany the Accessory Checklist for Sound Systems we include some guidelines on Selecting the Right Microphone for the Job. In the latter article is a section Understanding Wireless Microphones, in which we provide a non-technical introduction to wireless microphones to help you weigh the pros and cons of the various types.

Medical and Dental Surgeries and Consulting Rooms

We apply our high standard for loop systems across the medical and social field, to reception areas, waiting rooms, medical and dental surgeries, consulting rooms, treatment chairs and beds. Loop equipment may also be useful in the patient's home, where a doctor or therapist may use a discrete, pocket loop system to assist communication with hearing impaired people. Ferrosound cover the field, including the design and manufacture of special systems for one-to-one consultations in the medical and social fields.

Loops for Counter and Reception Desks

Ferrosound design, supply and install state-of-the-art counter and desk loops systems for reception areas in public buildings. We believe that only the best is good enough for hearing impaired people, in any location, especially in areas where critical information is being exchanged. For this reason, we incorporate the highest quality and best engineered equipment available to us at any time.

Whilst we can and do supply customers with table-top portable loop systems, we strongly advise only using high quality installed loop systems for all permanent customer service counters and reception desks. The use of portable loop systems in these locations can be very counter productive for the hearing impaired user, though this will depend how well the systems are deployed by the service provider.

Please note that the initial loop survey, optimum system design, staff training and full technical support is no less important in this application than it is in a church, theatre or conference centre.

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