Rhode Island State’s House and Senate chambers have been outfitted with a new hearing loop system, according to an article in the Providence Journal.

“Both chambers’ sound systems have been improved with new speakers and microphones. A new hearing loop system, which transmits sound electronically to t-coil hearing aids and all cochlear implants, has been installed in both chambers, making Rhode Island the first state capitol in the country to have both of its legislative chambers and its public galleries equipped with permanent large area hearing loops,” David Abell, a volunteer hearing loop advocate with the state office of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), was quoted as saying in the article.

According to a press release from the General Assembly mentioned in the article, hearing loops were installed in other rooms of the State House in 2016, but could not be installed in the chambers without removing the carpet.

To read the original article in its entirety, please click here.

Source: The Providence Journal, Rhode Island General Assembly