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<p>Since January 2018, Parliament’s Sound and Vision Contractor, NEP Bow Tie TV, have
been conducting monthly checks with the support of the In-House Services Team on 69
assistive listening systems throughout the main rooms on the Parliamentary Estate
to the current BS/IEC standards (BS8594 and 601884IEC). Prior to January 2018, these
checks were carried out on an annual basis. A report is supplied each month to the
contract owner, the Parliamentary Broadcasting Unit, and the In-House Services Team
and Diversity and Inclusion teams.</p><p>Independent audits are also conducted by
Action on Hearing Loss.</p><p>In addition to monthly checks, a comprehensive, annual
"Commissioning" test is carried out by NEP Bow Tie TV. This checks for Background
Noise; Field Strength; Frequency Response; Live Listening; Live Signal; System Noise;
Overspill; and Venue Accessibility.</p><p>Where high quality sound systems are installed,
such as in the Chamber and in committee rooms, audio quality is generally good. However,
a report by Wave Science Technology has highlighted that further improvements could
be achieved in meeting rooms. The recommendations from the external audio consultant
relating to assistive listening will be considered in January as part of an on-going
review of audio/video provision in committee and other meeting rooms. This work has
been undertaken by Parliament’s AV Programme which has been delivering other improvements
to audio video systems across the Estate.</p>
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