Dubai Airports has completed the world’s largest installation of 520 Hearing Loops at DXB to support hearing-impaired travellers, marking a major milestone in accessibility innovation.
DUBAI: Dubai Airports has announced the successful installation of over 520 Hearing Loops across Dubai International (DXB), setting a new global benchmark in accessibility for travellers with hearing impairments. This is the world’s largest Hearing Loops deployment, enhancing communication access for passengers using hearing aids or cochlear implants.
The advanced technology has been strategically installed at check-in counters, immigration desks, boarding gates, and information points across all three terminals. Travellers can connect easily by switching their devices to the ‘T’ (telecoil) setting, with no additional equipment or pairing required.
Majed Al Joker, Chief Operating Officer at Dubai Airports, commented, “At Dubai Airports, we are committed to ensuring that every guest, regardless of ability, can navigate our terminals with ease, dignity, and confidence.” He praised the collective effort of the airport community, including key partners such as Emirates, flydubai, GDRFA, Dubai Customs, and dnata, in realising this shared vision.
The Hearing Loops initiative is aligned with Dubai’s Universal Design Code, which promotes inclusive access to public spaces. The implementation was carried out with minimal disruption to operations and included comprehensive training for frontline staff to assist guests of determination effectively.
Globally, more than 1.5 billion people live with hearing loss — a figure projected to rise to 2.5 billion by 2050, according to the World Health Organisation. With this growing need, airports worldwide are recognising the importance of accessible communication solutions.
This rollout is part of Dubai Airports’ broader accessibility strategy, which combines infrastructure upgrades with employee training to provide seamless support throughout the travel journey. From kerb to gate, the goal is to ensure that every passenger feels welcomed, respected, and understood.
