The City of St. Joseph plans to educate the community about a system that aids the hearing impaired at the Missouri Theater.

In August of 2016 a hearing loop system was installed at the Missouri Theater in downtown St. Joseph for the hearing impaired community to experience programs more clearly.  However, the city said much of the community is unaware of the resource and the benefits it provides.

As we previously reported, the system cost around $15,000 and the cost was split between the St. Joseph Sertoma Club and the City of St. Joseph.  Pat Dillon with the St. Joseph Sertoma Club told us in 2016 that the system will work for anyone on the first floor of the theater and should be easy to use.

“Looping is a relatively inexpensive system that allows people living with hearing loss or hearing impairment to more comfortably enjoy events hosted in large spaces,” the city said in a news release.

To try to promote the resource, an educational event, coordinated by several community leaders, is being held Monday from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Missouri Theater at 715 Edmond St. The event will feature retired audiologist and speaker, Juliette Sterkens. The intent of the event is to educate the community about looping, allow attendees to test the system, and provide more information about the opportunity to install hearing loop systems in other locations within St. Joseph, Missouri.

“Members of the community, medical and audiology professionals, and local business owners are invited to participate in this event. Increased awareness of looping and the simple steps to utilize the system will have a lasting impact on the community,” the city stated.