subject: Williams Sound - Translation Equipment & Assistive Listening [print this page] Williams Sound - Translation Equipment & Assistive Listening
Williams Sound is one of the largest manufacturers of translation and assistive listening technology worldwide. In fact, their motto is "Helping People Hear."
In what began as a simple AM listening system for churches, Williams Sound has since grown over the last 30 years to offer a range of listening products and audio equipment.
MEETINGS AND CONVENTIONS
One of the most common uses of Williams Sound equipment is in the realm of simultaneous
interpreting (live translation). The speaker or presenter's words are translated ("interpreted"
is really the proper term), on the fly in real time by an interpreter, who is typically in a booth listening to the speaker via a Williams interpreter's control unit. The interpreter translates into a microphone and the signal is then broadcast throughout the room or hall by a Williams transmitter that operates on a specialized frequency.
Attendees listen to the interpreted words via Williams translation headsets, i.e. earphones and radios. Translation receivers are often small FM radios which are tuned to a special frequency that does not interfere with regular FM-radio broadcasting. Most of the time, the accompanying headphones are generic and can be used with a multitude of devices. For high security meetings,
Williams also manufactures infrared equipment. Because infrared devices transmit the signal via light beams which cannot penetrate walls, the translation can only be heard by people who are physically in the room. Infrared is heavily used in government settings, especially intelligence groups.
For those with hearing difficulties, Williams manufactures assistive listening products for both personal and group settings. Some of these settings include: hotels, conference centers, conventions, churches, classrooms, work, on the phone. Recent Government Accessibility Requirements (ADA) are in force and necessitate many companies and public venues to provide assistive listening equipment to those who need hearing enhancement.
Personal listening devices are completely portable and can be tucked into a pocket and taken wherever the listener wishes to go.
Williams Sound sells its products only through authorized dealers. An excellent dealer with great prices is found here: Williams Sound Products
