The Rotary Club of Los Alamos funded an audio loop assistive hearing system in the Duane W. Smith Auditorium. This system covers the first 14 rows and the wheelchair landing area, utilizing a wire loop connected to the auditorium’s sound system in a phased array configuration to transmit sound electromagnetically and ensure consistent signal strength across all seats. This signal is received by the telecoil in hearing aids or cochlear implants, allowing for a direct audio experience while minimizing background noise.
The project was inspired by Los Alamos High School junior Chloe Keilers, who shared her experiences as a deaf/hard-of-hearing teenager during a Rotary meeting in March 2014. Her mother, Marjorie Madsen Keilers, highlighted the need for assistive systems, leading Rotary Vice President Linda Hull to champion the initiative.
The project aimed to enhance sound quality for users rather than merely increase the number of seats equipped. The installation, funded at $5,200, was expected to improve attendance and the overall experience for guests with hearing challenges at the auditorium.