Summary
An Ontario county's announcement of infrared assistive listening in its council chambers and its provincial offences courtroom.
Key findings
- Reports that the council chambers at the county headquarters in Cobourg and the Provincial Offences courtroom in Cobourg were equipped with an infrared assistive listening system, funded by the province's Enhancing Access to Spaces for Everyone (EASE) grant.
- Quotes a county councillor who wears hearing aids as saying that using the headphones during a trial at the May council meeting "significantly improved my ability to hear and follow the discussion".
- Describes the system as carrying audio from a microphone, computer or sound system through an infrared transmitter to receivers that deliver it to headphones, hearing aids or cochlear implants.
- Receivers for council and committee meetings must be requested online at least one business day ahead; in the courtroom they are available from the clerk on arrival.
Limits
A press release with one user's account and no measurements, receiver numbers or costs. It does not say why infrared was chosen or whether neckloops are offered. Its EASE funding paragraph gives no award amount, full applicant eligibility rules or application window.
Read the original
Cited in
- What works in courtrooms, council chambers and other meeting rooms where speech must be heard by all and kept in the room?Partly answered
- What public funding or grants exist for venues to install assistive listening?Partly answered
Cite this source
Northumberland County. New assistive listening technology enhances access to council and court proceedings. Northumberland County, Ontario (news release). 11 June 2026. https://northumberland.ca/news/new-assistive-listening-technology-enhances-access-to-council-and-court-proceedings/ (accessed 13 October 2026).
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