Hearing loops, also known as Audio Frequency Induction Loop Systems (AFILS), are a top choice for hearing accommodation, providing significant benefits to people who rely on assistive listening systems. They are designed to deliver clean, distortion-free sound in places where distance, ambient noise, and challenging acoustics can make listening and understanding with hearing aids and cochlear implants difficult. The system works by using a special amplifier and a hidden copper wire that transmits sound via a magnetic field, creating a "looped zone" in any size venue. When a person with a hearing device equipped with a telecoil, a small coil of wire that allows the device to become a wireless receiver, enters this zone, they can receive the magnetic signal, providing them with clear, customized sound.
Hearing loops are becoming the foundation for hearing-friendly, inclusive communities throughout the United States, and many buildings in Sarasota, Florida, have adopted this technology. They are used in a broad spectrum of environments, from auditoriums, theaters, and places of worship, to meeting and classrooms, pharmacies, ticket counters, and even in users' homes. This widespread adoption of hearing loop technology in Sarasota has made it a more accessible and inclusive community for people with hearing loss.Below we have listed many of the buildings and businesses in (or near) Sarasota with hearing loop technology. For your convenience, addresses and phone numbers have been included as well.
Airport
SRQ (Sarasota Bradenton International Airport)
6000 Airport Cir
Sarasota, FL 34243
Theaters
Asolo Theatre
5555 N Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34243
Burns Court Cinemas
506 Burns Ct, Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 955-3456
Florida Studio Theatre
1241 N Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 366-9000
Glenridge on Palmer Ranch Performing Arts Center
7333 Scotland Way, Sarasota, FL 34238
(941) 552-5325
Manatee Players Theatre
502 3rd Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205
(941) 748-5875
Sarasota Opera House
61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 328-1300
Sarasota Orchestra
709 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 953-4252
The Player’s Theatre
3501 S Tamiami Trail Suite 1130, Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 365-2494
Van Wezel
777 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 263-6799
Venice Community Center
326 Nokomis Ave S, Venice, FL 34285
Venice Theatres
140 Tampa Ave W, Venice, FL 34285
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe
1012 N Orange Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Churches & Synagogues
Bradenton Christian Reformed
4208 26th St W, Bradenton, FL 34205
(941) 753-6465
Covenant Life Presbyterian of Sarasota
8490 McIntosh Rd, Sarasota, FL 34238
(941) 926-4777
First Congregational United Church of Christ
1031 S Euclid Ave, Sarasota, FL 34237
(941) 953-7044
First United Methodist Church
104 S Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 955-0935
Northminster Presbyterian Church
3131 61st St, Sarasota, FL 34243
(941) 355-4729
Oneco United Methodist Church
2112 53rd Ave E Apt 4, Bradenton, FL 34203
(941) 755-5943
Pine Shores Presbyterian Church
6135 Beechwood Ave, Sarasota, FL 34231
(941) 922-1597
St. Andrew United Church of Christ
6908 S Beneva Rd, Sarasota, FL 34238
(941) 922-7595
St. Thomas More
2506 Gulf Gate Dr, Sarasota, FL 34231
(941) 923-1691
Temple Emanu-El
151 McIntosh Rd, Sarasota, FL 34232
(941) 371-2788
Unity Church
3023 Proctor Rd, Sarasota, FL 34231
(941) 955-3301
Senior Centers
Alderman Oaks Retirement Residence
727 Hudson Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 955-9099
Sarasota Bay Club
1301 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 366-7667
Senior Friendship Centers
1888 Brother Geenen Way, Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 955-2122
Community Venues & Libraries
Lakewood Ranch Town Hall
8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
(941) 907-0202
Meadows Community Center
3350 Longmeadow, Sarasota, FL 34235
(941) 377-2300
Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library
2801 Newtown Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34234
(941) 861-1110
Selby Public Library
1331 1st St, Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 861-1100
USF- Selby Auditorium
8350 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243
Medical Offices
Hearing Spa - Sarasota
1416 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 366-4848
Sarasota Memorial Hospital - Auditorium
1700 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 917-9000
Silverstein Institute
1901 Floyd St, Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 366-9222
Food
Caragiulo’s Restaurant
69 S Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 951-0866
Owens Fish Camp
516 Burns Ct, Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 951-6936
Whole Foods Market
1451 1st St, Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 316-4700
Resources and Citations:
An article about the SRQ Airport getting hearing loop technology: https://eu.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/aspirations-journalism/2019/03/26/sarasota-bradenton-airport-adds-assistive-listening-system/5610323007/
An article about the installation of hearing loops in Sarasota County libraries. https://www.scgov.net/Home/Components/News/News/3497/23
Hearing Loss Association of Sarasota Flyer: https://www.downtownsarasotacondoassoc.com/files/HearingLossAssociationofSarasotaGenericFlyer(10-30-12).pdf
