Dear Parishioners,

MORE HEARING ASSISTANCE COMING TO IHM CHURCH BUILDING MID TO LATE AUGUST 2023

Recognizing that nothing is perfect, I do believe IHM has a high-grade sound system in our church building, but I am aware, for some of our parishioners, there remains a difficulty in hearing during the Mass. I also recognize that not every lector or celebrant knows how to use a “microphone” as there is an art to this as well as to the “programming” the speakers in our three-nave church building.

In 2021 IHM researched, Brown Audio Service, LLC and was selected to provide IHM church building with a “HEARING LOOP” for the CENTER SECTION – MAIN NAVE – of our church.

We will now add this hearing benefit to both SIDE SECTIONS – SIDE NAVES – of the church. In other words, the complete church will be equipped for those with hearing difficulty!

A “HEARING LOOP,” a coil (loop) wrapping around the perimeter of the church under the floor, connects to the sound system in the church building and broadcasts a signal that people with hearing aids or cochlear implants can receive directly.

IMPORTANT TO KNOW about hearing aids and cochlear implants is that they need to be equipped with a T-Switch (telecoil) to assist in your hearing at Mass with the hearing loop. Simply ask your audiologist to include this t-switch (telecoil) in the next hearing aid you buy. A t-switch may add a small amount to the cost of your hearing aid, but the benefits far outweigh the cost. If your present hearing aid already has a t-switch, please make sure it has been activated by your audiologist.

IMPORTANT TO KNOW Parishioners that do not have a “T-switch” option on their hearing aid still can enjoy the “loop” hearing system with a “headset.” “Headsets” are available in the IHM church sacristy. Using the headset allows your hearing aid to connect with the loop, which connects to the church’s sound system, which aids in your hearing pleasure.

Many blessings,
Father Jim