Liepāja Concert Hall “Great Amber” Becomes More Accessible for People with Hearing Impairments

The concert hall “Great Amber” in Liepāja has become more accessible for people with hearing impairments. An induction loop system has been tested and implemented, allowing improved sound reception through hearing aids. This induction loop is permanently available at the concert hall's information center on the first floor and is activated in the Great Hall for specified concerts, ensuring the best possible listening experience for music.

“Access to culture is a fundamental human right, so we must work to make music accessible to a wider audience. Liepāja's concert hall “Great Amber” is one of the first cultural institutions in Liepāja where the Great Hall is equipped with an induction loop that can enhance the concert experience for people with hearing impairments. It’s clear that technology doesn't solve all problems; we needed to work hard to understand the needs of people with hearing impairments and learn how to make this service meaningful,” explained Timur Tomsons, Chairman of the Board of SIA “Great Amber,” about the system’s implementation.

In collaboration with the Latvian Deaf Association (LNS) and its Liepāja branch, “Great Amber” tested the induction loop system to understand the listening experience it can provide for people with hearing impairments. The main findings indicate that, currently, the best concert experience can be achieved in acoustic music programs, with optimal sound quality achieved in the parterre area seating, and that each user’s experience is individual – some hearing aid users will find the best experience with the induction loop (“T-coil” function), while others may prefer one of their everyday programs.

Members of the LNS attended both a rehearsal of the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra and the opening concert of its 144th season to test the induction loop function in their hearing aids. Many of these members were attending a classical music concert for the first time.

“I hope many people notice this improvement and that it will bring in more visitors, including people with hearing impairments. I also hope that other cultural venues, such as the Liepāja Theatre, which really needs an induction loop, will follow the example set by “Great Amber” and introduce one,” commented Ilze Jaunzeme, Chairperson of the Kurzeme Regional Association of the Latvian Deaf Association, on the implementation of this function.

Ilze, also attending a concert of this kind for the first time, shared that the experience was enjoyable. On a daily basis, she uses various functions on her hearing aid, and for the concert, she tried several: “When speakers were talking, I switched to the “T-coil” function so I could hear the speaker. When the orchestra played, I used the “Music” or other functions I use daily. This helped me grasp the overall musical atmosphere and enjoy the concert.”

VIDEO. Members of the Latvian Deaf Association share their experience attending a concert at “Great Amber”.

On the concert hall’s website www.lielaisdzintars.lv, in the “Calendar” section, the international induction loop symbol is added to concerts where the induction loop function is available. In the “Frequently Asked Questions” section, people with hearing impairments can find recommendations for attending these concerts.

In 2024, the induction loop function will be active at the following concerts:

November 16 at 18:00: “State Holiday Concert: Latvia at 106”
December 14 at 18:00: “Christmas Cantata: Wagner, Mahler”
November 30 at 18:00: “Soul Stories in Symphony: Vestards Šimkus”
December 29 at 19:00: “Liepāja Symphony New Year’s Eve Concert: Ksenija Sidorova”
People with hearing impairments who wish to attend concerts with the induction loop function activated should consider the following recommendations:

Before purchasing tickets, ensure your hearing aid is equipped with an induction coil (“T-coil”); if this function is unavailable or non-functional, contact the place where you purchased the hearing aid.
Upon arrival at the concert, you can manually activate this function on your hearing aid or smartphone by going to accessibility settings to enable the induction coil (“T-coil”) function.
Based on feedback from people with hearing impairments, the best listening experience with the induction loop is in the center area of the parterre seating from rows 5 to 12, seats 6 to 28.

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