Contacta shortlisted for two awards at AV Awards 2021

Contacta, an assistive hearing technology designer and manufacturer based in Kent, has been shortlisted in both the Communication Technology of the Year and Audio Technology of the Year categories at the AV Magazine Awards. 

Finalists will be announced on Friday 5th November 2021 at the new hybrid style award show, held simultaneously both online and in London. 

Simon Thomas, managing director at Contacta, said: “We are thrilled to have two of our products in the finals of these awards. Making the highest quality products that are simple to use is at the heart of what we do, and that’s why we believe these products are deserving of their place on the shortlists.

“The STS-K07 range was not just an innovation to meet a sudden need from a whole range of businesses such as care homes and hospitals. It also provided a lifeline for our distributors and installation partners when demand for hearing loops vanished overnight as venues closed their doors due to lockdown.”

Communication Technology of the Year

Contacta’s STS-K07 window intercom range has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Communication Technology of the Year category. The range was developed in 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic as a high-quality yet affordable option to enable clear communication through COVID-safe screens. 

Designed as a hearing assistance solution within conversational settings, the range supported care homes that needed a COVID-safe way for families to speak during visits. With a new, less corporate design, the intercom systems have also proved popular in other settings during the pandemic including GP surgeries, school reception areas, private hire taxis and even fast food outlets. 

With new and unique features such as an energy-efficient sleep mode, directional microphones for amplified sounds and adjustable volume settings, the range has been key in supporting face to face businesses and health care professionals. 

Audio Technology of the Year

Contacta has also been shortlisted in the Audio Technology of the Year category for its V Series Pro large area hearing loop drivers. Designed by Contacta’s in-house team and manufactured in the UK, the series has been recognised for its unique features including guided loop set-up, built-in network connectivity, remote monitoring and super-efficient performance. 

Designed for use at medium to large venues, the V-PRO Series drivers deliver assistive listening using Inductive loop technology. It enables hearing aid users to hear clearly and easily in noisy environments or when the sound source is too far away.

The new V series, developed by Contacta, outperforms the previous series for signal and sound quality. It has also transformed the installation and maintenance processes with an innovative built-in guide for easy installation plus a self-monitoring system for guided maintenance. 

Innovative and eco-friendly design and manufacturing

As well as designing both of the innovative product ranges in the UK, using local suppliers, Contacta has worked hard to ensure solutions are energy-efficient and eco-friendly. Both shortlisted product ranges feature energy-saving features such as sleep mode and use recycled materials and components where possible. 

About Contacta 

Contacta Systems have designed and manufactured assistive technology solutions in the UK since 1970. Their products create inclusive environments for people with hearing loss. Their portfolio includes a wide range of window intercom systems, hearing loops, IR and RF systems for assistive listening. For more information visit www.contacta.co.uk