Hearing you loud and clear– why induction loop systems remain a ‘go to’ hearing solution for banks and buildings societies.
Our latest £100k induction loop systems contract for Santander is reassuring proof that the banking sector remains committed to this essential hearing lifeline service for customers with impaired hearing.
Hearing you loud and clear– why induction loop systems remain a ‘go to’ hearing solution
Quality & Clarity
Sound. What we all want is clarity and quality. Imagine if your routine conversation about your financial matters in a bank or building society was compromised by poor quality of sound? And since the pandemic, having to wear a mask in a public place means that the other resource we have available to us – to see someone’s face and lip read – has been completely removed. Other issues that can also affect sound quality and clarity are the acoustics of a room, background noise and the fact that confidential matters such as finances are often discussed in a more hushed tone of voice.
This is why, despite the growth in digital hearing devices, induction loop systems in communal, public and commercial buildings remain an absolute lifeline for people with impaired hearing or hearing loss.
With one in five people affected by hearing loss of some sort, conducting day to day financial matters in a bank can be highly stressful. And now that more and more people are getting back out into the public realm, after 18 months of lockdown, their fragile confidence doesn’t need to be shaken by impaired communication when they enter a bank.
Optimum Sound
So we’re delighted that the financial sector continues to invest in this crucial, but hidden, aspect of their customer service offering. If you have perfect hearing, it doesn’t matter, but if you wear a hearing aid or cochineal implant, seeing a sign that says “induction loop” is a godsend, and using a service that delivers optimum sound makes a potentially stressful interaction one that is pleasant and reassuring.
Our latest £100k supply contract with Santander not only consolidates our position as the leading specialist installer / maintainer of induction loop systems, but shows that despite the growth in digital hearing devices, banks remain committed to this important feature. Unlike Bluetooth systems, which require significant batter power and have limited range, induction loop systems can cover a wider area with minimal battery drain.
Welcoming Spaces
Our work with all the big name financial services brands is testimony to the experience, expertise and value for money that we can offer our clients – not just with induction loop systems, but to ensure that what looks like just a banking hall is fully compliant with signage, accessibility and security while also feeling like a pleasant and welcoming space for people of all ages, and physical abilities.
Our portfolio of clients includes Barclays, where we’ve worked on over 1600 branches since 2007; Yorkshire Building Society, where we’ve been their preferred supplier for 7 years; HSBC where we’ve had a long established relationship since 2012; and the Co-op Bank where our 4 year relationship has seen us work across a wide range of locations supporting their network.
Our work covers all aspects of property maintenance, but we’re especially proud of our specialist expertise in induction loop system installation and service maintenance as we know this continues to be a key element for all banks to ensure that they remain fully accessible and compliant – even more so now that they’re welcoming more and more customers back after lockdown.
Our latest contract with Santander adds to an already growing list of clients who entrust us to provide induction loop systems and services. These include Barclays, RBS, NatWest and HSBC.
Tried & Tested
Managing Director, Richard Cooke, commented: “Our proven expertise, coupled with our UK wide reach, means that Link PPS remains a tried and tested contractor for a sector where security and trust are paramount. We’re a fast and agile contractor committed to providing an outstanding level of service and workmanship, often working behind the scenes or out of hours in secure settings, to ensure that trading hours aren’t interrupted.”
The 2010 Equalities Act states that companies and workplaces must make their places as inclusive and accessible as possible to both employees and customers. With more and more people heading back to the high street, banks will be eager to ensure that their premises are as welcoming as possible. Installing an induction loop system is just the start. You also need to make sure that customers know that such a system exists, and provide simple instructions on how to adjust their hearing aids to connect to the loop.
At Link PPS we provide a complete expert service, which starts with an in-depth induction loop design service, which looks at all aspects of the room, or rooms, where it is to be installed. Some rooms are not big enough to warrant an induction loop but where we identify a genuine need, we’ll take your FM team through the whole process to look at issues such as background noise, sound reverberation as well as audio input and microphone installation to ensure optimum sound and clarity for IDL users.
