Ardent has introduced what the supplier says is an innovative induction hearing loop system called ClearConnect. It enables deaf users of scheduled coach and bus services to receive information including next stop announcements and driver communications direct to their hearing aids, satisfying Accessible Information Regulations requirements where appropriate.
The system has been trialled with Brighton and Hove Buses, where 15 deaf passengers from The Royal National Institute for Deaf People gave it a thumbs-up.
Contacta is the company behind design of ClearConnect. Market Development Director Andrew Thomas – who is also Chair of both the International Hearing Loop Manufacturers Association and the International Hearing Access Committee – notes that a well-functioning hearing loop “can be life-changing for users of bus services.”
Adds Mr Thomas: “We have worked with end users, vehicle manufacturers and service operators to ensure that the system is highly effective and meets the international performance standards for hearing loops.
“Minimising unwanted sound interference is key, so that those tuning into the hearing loop to obtain vital information can hear clearly. By doing so, we can help service providers to fulfil their accessibility obligations.”
Accessible Information Regulations compliance requirements for in-scope services are staged, with an initial deadline of 1 October applying to vehicles first used to provide local services on or after 1 October 2019. The Regulations will apply in their entirety from 1 October 2031.
Speaking about ClearConnect, Ardent Head of Sales Emma Kirk says: “It is vital that the correct equipment is in place. Subpar systems and a failure to invest in levelling up a customer’s experience can serve as a sign that inclusivity is not high on a provider’s agenda, reflecting poorly upon a company’s reputation.
“That is why, at every stage of ClearConnect’s design, we have put the passenger at the forefront – creating a system that is fit for purpose and which uses the latest technology to ensure the best possible user experience.”
Accessible Information Regulations here.
