BHA helps TMR lead the country with new hearing devices for customers
- The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) have partnered with BHA Brisbane to roll out portable hearing loop devices in all customer service centres across Queensland.
- Portable hearing loops offer an improved experience for customers who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Investment in these technologies and services form part of TMR’s ongoing commitment to ensuring its products and services are accessible and inclusive for all.
Enhanced Accessibility Through Technology
In an Australian first, TMR has announced it has partnered with Better Hearing Australia to roll out portable hearing loop devices in all customer service centres.
The devices enable those with hearing aids or cochlear implants to connect to the device via Telecoil (T-Coil) technology to reduce background noise and improve speech clarity.
The devices have been rolled out to more than 90 sites across Queensland which offer transport and motoring services to the community.
Commitment to Inclusivity
“We are dedicated to providing accessible and inclusive services for all Queenslanders,” Julia Hopkins-Martin, TMR Acting General Manager of the Customer Services Branch said.
“The roll out of hearing augmentation loop devices across our network is an important step on our journey to achieve this goal, and we are proud to be leading the way across Government departments.
“Everyone should have equal access to government services, and we are committed to improving the experience for all Queenslanders,” she said.
Peak Body Partnership Delivers
Tony Whelan, Business Manager at Better Hearing Australia Brisbane, believes this is the first roll-out of portable hearing loop devices across an entire service centre network in Australia and certainly a first for the Queensland Government.
“TMR’s leadership and commitment to improving accessibility for the one in six Australians currently experiencing hearing loss sets a new benchmark in inclusive customer experiences,” he said.
“Better Hearing Australia Brisbane is a disability peak representative organisation for people with hearing loss in Queensland and is thrilled to be partnering with TMR on this project.”
The Portable SmartLoop Counter Pack provided to 94 TMR customer service centres is available as an all-in-one solution for any customer service counter from LoopMe by BHA.
BHA has campaigned for increased adoption and awareness of the benefits of hearing loops as it is currently one of the best hearing augmentation solutions widely available.
Advancing Two-Way Communication
New two-way text communication devices are now also available for TMR customers in North Brisbane and Townsville.
Available for use in the Caboolture and Garbutt Customer Service Centres, these portable devices help support customers who are d/Deaf, have a hearing or speech requirement or other barriers to communication when accessing services in-person.
The wireless design enables real-time text conversation between customers and staff and features two screens which face each other, allowing for easy and private communication between users.
Customers who are d/Deaf or find it hard to hear or speak to hearing people can also contact TMR through the National Relay Service.
