AS 1428.5 Standard & Hearing Impairment Seminar
Group Technologies recently held an awareness seminar promoting discussion and education on the new building standard AS 1428.5 which was published in May this year. The standard specifies the requirements for the installation of assisted listening systems (ALS) alongside the communication accessibility requirements related to those with a hearing impairment.
Two seminars were held on the day, each with several guest speakers presenting information on AS 1428.5 from various perspectives as well as providing insight into some of the available ALS products. Tina Thoms from the German Chamber of Industry & Commerce was present, along with Karl-Heinz Sicklinger (Director of Engineering) HUMANTECNIK GmbH Germany and Nicole Lawder (CEO) Deafness Forum of Australia.
Tina commenced the mornings proceedings detailing Australia's trade relations with Germany and commending Group Technologies on their work with HUMANTECHNIK GmbH to deliver a quality range of ALSs to the Australian market.
Above: Karl-Heinz Discusses Induction Loop Amplifiers
In promoting general awareness of both AS 1428.5 and the social stigmas related to those with a hearing impairment, Nicole discussed some of the challenges our community faces with hearing impairment and how often the issue is not correctly addressed in public buildings. In addition, Nicole covered the relevance of the new standard and how Deafness Forum Australia would begin monitoring its consideration as the standard it is now in full effect.
Karl-Heinz presented a wealth of information on the current European standards which have been in effect for some time as well as a solid background into both the theoretical and practical principles of ALSs. With a history spanning over 25 years, HUMANTECHNIK have been at the forefront of delivering quality ALS products internationally. Karl-Heinz also presented HUMANTECHNIK's induction loop and infra-red product range. Their latest specialist product was also on show, a Proloop Low Overspill System (LOS) which provides highly localised coverage where accuracy and discretion between adjacent rooms is a key requirement. Proloop LOS has already been installed in a number of high profile projects in Australia.
With many industry professionals attending on the day, the seminars were received extremely well and a lot of awareness surrounding the new standard was raised.
Above: Tina Thoms, Nicole Lawder and Karl-Heinz Sicklinger
