Infra-red Solutions

Infra-Red hearing enhancement solutions use infrared light to transmit sounds. A transmitter converts sound into a light signal and beams it to a receiver that is worn by a listener and that receiver decodes the infrared signal back to sound for the listening.

A listener who is an existing user of hearing aids and cochlear implants can also use their device combined with an external neckloop or a silhouette inductor to convert the signal into magnetic signals that can be picked up directly by the listener's own device. This saves the use of more additional equipment to provide the assistive listening experience.

Unlike induction loop or FM systems, the infrared signal cannot pass through walls, making it particularly useful in courtrooms, secure meeting rooms where confidential information is often discussed, using line-of-sight as a reference point of who should be privy to the information being shared. Infrared solutions are also especially useful and in buildings where competing signals can be a problem, such as classrooms or movie theaters. However, infrared systems cannot be used in environments with too many competing light sources, such as outdoors or in strongly lit rooms.