Thirteen a lucky number at Children's hospital

Date: 28th September 2005

In a children’s hospital, visitors are of course vitally important for the patients to feel as comfortable as possible in what can be a frightening, alien environment. Clear communication between visitors and staff is a crucial part of the process.

 As a result, no less than 13 Ampetronic induction loop systems have been included in a brand new hostel at St Evelina Children’s Hospital, London. Installed by regular Ampetronic client Scan Audio, the hospital features 12 ILD20 and one ILD252 loop amplifiers.

 Providing an extremely high level of speech intelligibility is central to Ampetronic products, the company going to great lengths to ensure that the sonic quality is far higher than that of other systems. So Ampetronic is an obvious choice for an environment where providing clear communication can significantly improve patient welfare.

 At the hospital’s main reception, two ILD20-driven base station loops ensure the communication process is as clear as possible from the moment that visitors arrive. Ten further ILD20 loops are installed at nurse stations and in the wards throughout the hospital, ensuring visitors with a hearing impairment can discuss anything they need with the staff, while not disturbing patients. They also have the additional benefit of helping any of the patients who may have a hearing impairment.

 A perimeter induction loop is also installed in the hospital’s main meeting room, powered by an ILD252 and including a condenser microphone for presentations.

 “There were no technical hurdles although, as it was scheduled for fairly late in build stage, we had to negotiate a lot of medical equipment being put in during the client fit out,” says Scan Audio’s Dee Couchman. “Being a children’s hospital, the funky colours the wards are painted in made it seem quite an unusual environment for us, though!”

 Ampetronic’s Technical Director Leon Pieters adds: “All too often Induction Loops are specified to the minimum requirements of the DDA without a thought to the users’ welfare.  This installation is a good example of how a well thought out system makes a positive difference to the lives of the hearing impaired and of those around them.

 “The high sound quality and long life of Ampetronic systems means that the visitors and patients at St Evelina’s are gaining a real and permanent benefit from this installation"