Breaking Barriers: Windsor International Airport Becomes Canada’s First to Implement Large Area Hearing Loops

Windsor International Airport (YQG) is the first airport in Canada to offer hearing loops in a pre-board waiting area, setting a new benchmark for accessibility in public transportation. Simpleway is proud to be a key partner in this achievement, integrating our Airport CX cloud solution and nnounce ecosystem with YQG’s hearing loop systems, provided by Better Hearing Solutions. an Ontario-based company that has specialized in hearing loop systems since 1983. 

Hearing loops are essential for people with hearing impairments, especially in noisy, bustling environments like airports. These systems work directly with hearing aids and cochlear implants by creating a magnetic field that transmits audio signals that the hearing aid telecoil picks up, bypassing background noise for clearer, more focused sound quality. This allows individuals to hear important public announcements even in noisy environments. 

At YQG, three Contacta powered hearing loop systems are seamlessly integrated with nnounce’s micnode2 paging stations. These stations enable live calls via microphone, pre-recorded announcements, text-to-speech (TTS) announcements, and even music playback—all with a simple tap on the touchscreen. Future Simpleway capabilities will include speech-to-text functionality for even broader accessibility. 

When hearing loops are paired with our cloud-based Airport CX solution, communication for passengers with hearing aids reaches a new level. The Airport CX system unifies the airport’s public address and flight information display systems, enabling real-time updates that are both audible and visual. Passengers benefit from synchronized automated announcements, ad hoc announcements, and TTS announcements displayed on screens through visual paging, ensuring no traveler is left behind. 

With this innovative integration, YQG is leading the way in inclusivity, making air travel more accessible and enjoyable. Simpleway is honored to contribute to this groundbreaking development, helping airports deliver clear, effective communication for all travelers. 

For more information on accessibility features in Canadian airports, visit this article.