Baltimore Hebrew Gets Hearing Loop System

Things are sounding better around Baltimore Hebrew Congregation these days.

The synagogue, located at the corner of Slade and Park Heights avenues, has a new hearing loop system in place to help people with hearing loss.

The system, located in main gathering areas, transmits the audio from a public announcements system into telecoil-equipped hearing aids and cochlear implants, according to a news release from .

A person hears the transmission without background noise, it states.

“BHC has a significant history of helping the hearing impaired," congregant Dr. Ira Kolman said in a statement. "For example, 25 or so years ago, we in the Brotherhood had Audio Induction Loops installed in the Sanctuary and Straus Social Hall."

Those systems aren't working as well as they used to, however. So Kolman, an audiologist, spearheaded the upgrades project.

For those without telecoils, there are some portable receivers to borrow, the release states.

The system will be in the sanctuary, Straus Social Hall, Hoffberger Chapel, Dalsheimer Auditorium and Goodwin Center in time for High Holy Days, according to the release.

The hearing loop project was supported by generous gifts from Kolman, Betty W. Cohen and the Selma T. & Joseph Wagner Fund.

For more information contact David Weis, dweis@bhcong.org or 410-764-1587, ext. 243.