Summary
How courts in New South Wales provide infrared hearing systems for witnesses, parties, jurors, lawyers and others, and how to book one.
Key findings
- Says the department uses permanent and portable infrared systems, which it describes as similar to hearing loops but ensuring that "the information stays within the courtroom".
- Lists witnesses, parties to the case, jurors, legal professionals, and relatives and friends among the people the system can assist.
- Asks people to contact the court two weeks before the hearing; a court without a system will order one. On the day, people should arrive 30 minutes early, confirm that the equipment is installed, check the volume and the best place to sit, and return the receiver at the end of the day.
- Offers a choice of earpiece, and a neckloop for hearing aids with a T switch.
Limits
A service page without measurements; it does not say how many courtrooms have permanent systems or how windows are dealt with. Last updated 3 December 2023.
Read the original
courts.nsw.gov.au/help-and-support/services-for-people-with-disability/deaf-or-hard-of-hearing.html
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
Cite this source
NSW Department of Communities and Justice. Support for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. NSW Courts and Tribunals (courts.nsw.gov.au). 3 December 2023. https://courts.nsw.gov.au/help-and-support/services-for-people-with-disability/deaf-or-hard-of-hearing.html (accessed 9 October 2026).
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