Hearing Loops at CCH – Congress Center Hamburg: A Case Study in Assistive Listening Technology
The CCH – Congress Center Hamburg is one of the largest and most modern congress centres in Europe. Located in the heart of Hamburg, Germany, the CCH offers state-of-the-art facilities and exceptional service to organizers and attendees alike. The number 12,000 has a special meaning at the CCH: 12,000 square meters of event space, another 12,000 square meters of foyer space, and a total number of 12,000 visitors who can attend events at the CCH simultaneously. The CCH is a sought-after venue for its unparalleled versatility, flexibility, and convenience, making it the perfect destination for events of any size and type.
CCH – Congress Center Hamburg ©Hamburg Messe und Congress / Michael Zapf
During the recent renovations, it was important to consider the accessibility needs of all visitors to the venue. It was essential that everyone attending these events has equal access to the audio content. This is where hearing loops proved to be the most suitable technology for the job. With their ability to transmit sound directly to hearing aids and cochlear implants, hearing loops provide a discreet and efficient solution that ensures everyone can fully engage with the audio content throughout the venue.
Ampetronic were first approached in 2018 to work closely with German distribution partners Laauser & Vohl in planning the hearing loop systems for 11 spaces as part of the renovation work, each with unique design challenges.
Hall 1 is the largest system, with 3,000 seats across two levels and over 2,500m² of floor area. This system employs 2x Ampetronic D10-2 amplifiers for the stalls and another to cover the balcony. Overspill from the magnetic field is controlled tightly in the direction of the stage to minimise the risk of interference with any sensitive equipment such as musical instruments.
Hall 1 ©Hamburg Messe und Congress / Michael Zapf. 3x D10-2 and 2.5km flat copper tape.
Halls X and Y also had complex requirements, the two halls are directly above one another, and each hall could be subdivided into up to 12 smaller spaces. These flexible partitions allowed for a wide variety of different spaces, combining 1, 2, 4 or all 12 rooms together. This meant that each room must have a separate hearing loop system, designed to minimise overspill into the adjoining spaces, but with the ability to combine into larger systems when supplied with the same audio source. There were additional in-fill systems designed for the central corridors, to be used whenever 4 or more rooms were combined. 30 MLD5 MulitLoop drivers were used across both halls to power these highly flexible systems.
Hall X flat copper tape installation © PROTONES GmbH & Co KG.
Laauser & Vohl have been supplying Ampetronic hearing loop systems to the CCH – Congress Center Hamburg since 2003, ensuring many years of accessible audio, and as part of the recent project local integrator PROTONES GmbH & Co KG were also brought in to reinstall existing systems in areas including Hall G and Hall C, utilising some of the original Ampetronic designs. In some areas the original equipment was retained, using pairs of ILD1000G amplifiers with SP5 phase shifts, elsewhere this was brought up to date with D-Series MultiLoop drivers.
In total across the CCH project 46 new dual channel MultiLoop amplifiers were specified, using various models from Ampetronic’s MLD and D-Series ranges, and over 17 kilometres of flat copper tape to lay the hearing loop circuits.
Hall Z ©Hamburg Messe und Congress / Michael Zapf. 2x D7-2 and 2km flat copper tape.
Hall Z Hearing Loop Design.
Hall Z Hearing Loop Coverage Plot,
with low spill design towards the front stage area.
A small section of the CCH hearing loop amplifier racks, including an Ampetronic D10-2 for Hall 1 Lower Stalls and MLD5s for areas of Hall Y.In conclusion, the recent renovations of the CCH – Congress Center Hamburg have not only improved the overall experience for visitors, but have also ensured that the venue is accessible to everyone, regardless of their hearing ability. By incorporating hearing loops into the design, the CCH has demonstrated a commitment to providing high-quality, intelligible, and accessible audio throughout the site. Despite some challenges during the installation process, the expertise of Ampetronic and their partners ensured that all hearing loop systems were fully functional and met the venue’s complex requirements.
As more and more venues recognize the importance of accessibility, we can expect to see hearing loops become increasingly common. With their ability to transmit sound directly to hearing aids and cochlear implants, hearing loops offer an inclusive and barrier free way to connect with the audio being presented. The CCH – Congress Center Hamburg serves as an excellent example of how hearing loops can be successfully integrated into large and diverse venues, providing equal access to all visitors.
