Now customers who are hard of hearing will be able to fill their prescriptions with ease and speak with the pharmacist about any questions they have about their medicine.

A hearing loop system was recently installed by Hearing Loop Specialists, Inc., at the pharmacy window inside Reasor's in Tahlequah. This will make communication easier between the hearing impaired customer who uses a hearing aid and the pharmacist. Reasor's is the first pharmacy in Oklahoma to offer this new technology to customers.

"Clear, precise communications between the pharmacist and our customers is paramount to achieving good health care outcomes," said Mike Dotson, Director of Pharmacy. "Hearing impairment is on the rise for a variety of reasons and wellness and prevention are enhanced when all aspects of medication therapy and disease management are understood. We want to make trips to the pharmacy convenient and enjoyable."

The hearing loop system consists of a thin wire that is placed around the listening area, a special amplifier and a microphone. Speech is amplified and circulated through the loop of wire. The resulting magnetic energy field is detected and amplified by the "telecoil" or telephone switch circuitry common to many hearing aids, cochlear implants and induction loop receivers.

The end result is a high quality amplified reproduction of the original signal, allowing the speaker and listener to effectively communicate. Background noise can almost be eliminated.

Visitors to the Tahlequah Reasor's pharmacy will see a blue logo indicating that a hearing loop is installed around the window. Customers are instructed to switch their hearing aid or cochlear device to the "T,", "T-Coil" or "telephone" position.