Places Required to Have Assistive Listening Systems
Currently, there are tens of thousands of assistive listening systems (hearing loops, FM/RF, and infrared systems) already installed across the United States, Canada, and around the world. This webpage describes where they are required and other common places you’ll find assistive listening systems.
Download this webpage:
- Types of Places Required to have an ALS under the ADA (1 page, pdf)
- Types of Places Required to have an ALS under the ADA (.docx)
Where Will You Find Assistive Listening Systems?
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the following places are required to have a hearing loop, FM/RF system, or infrared system:
- In ALL indoor or outdoor areas or rooms, with a public address system. These are called “Assembly Areas.“ This also applies to unamplified performances and events – a system shall be provided. ADA Standard 219 (webpage)
- Where Effective Communication is needed, such as service counters, classrooms, business meeting rooms, community rooms, meeting with people one-on-one, such as parent-teacher conferences, etc.
- In all Courtrooms.
Assistive Listening Systems apply to: Title I (employment), Title II entities (state and local governments), and Title III entities (businesses and nonprofit organizations that serve the public).
See ADA Standards (this website)
What Places have Assistive Listening Systems (ALS) requirements?
- amphitheaters
- arenas
- auditoria
- classrooms
- concert halls
- convention centers
- courtrooms
- dinner theaters
- grandstands
- lecture halls
- legislative chambers
- motion picture houses
- performing arts centers
- playhouses
- public hearing rooms
- public meeting rooms
- stadiums
- theaters
While not specifically named in the ADA, these facilities/sites may have assembly areas. Or they may be an area for Effective Communication under the ADA.
- airport gate waiting areas
- board meetings
- comedy clubs
- community rooms, e.g., fire and police station
- cruises
- funeral homes
- gymnasiums
- hotel conference rooms
- information, registration desks
- lifelong learning classrooms
- pharmacy counters
- places of worship*
- senior centers
- senior communities
- town halls
- transient venues
- transit
- yoga studios
* commonly exempted under the ADA, but depends on activities, funding sources, and state or local building codes or regulations. See Religious Entities Under the ADA (webpage)
Related resources
- See multiple examples and photos of specific places (this website): conferences, government, theaters, etc.
- What does the ADA require? (this website)