Global Audio brand, Sennheiser selected Al Noor Training Centre for its first regional corporate responsibility program as a well-known local cause that is synchronised with Sennheiser’s vision of shaping the future of audio. Al Noor Training Centre, one of Dubai’s oldest facilities for the rehabilitation of students with disabilities, received fifteen premium Sennheiser headsets last December with the aim of addressing challenges in hearing, listening, learning and concentration among some of the 190+ students of determination on campus. Some of the headsets are designed to assist students with hearing impairment, some to help students who are sensitive to sound. Based on these benefits, the centre selected students facing such challenges to trial the headphones. The impact was monitored, and usage encouraged in cases they were well received.
Al Noor Director Ms Ranjini Ramnath says,” Al Noor is delighted with the results of our trial with Sennheiser noise-cancelling headsets. We trialled the efficacy of the headphones with children who have auditory sensitivity. Auditory sensitivity occurs when individuals experience sensitivity to certain sounds or frequencies. Often these individuals notice sounds or audio inputs that others don’t. Typically, their brain perceives auditory sensory sensations more intensely than others. Students with auditory sensory overload find it difficult to focus on learning and participate in classroom activities. They often appear to be easily distracted.
Blocking or filtering these sounds helps them focus better and improves their participation in all routines. This has been supported by our observation of the use of noise-cancellation headphones, wherein 7 out of 13 students accepted the headphones and the duration of use also increased over a period of time.
However, as the headphones cover the entire ear, it was challenging for some students who also had a touch and/or body sensitivity, to tolerate the earphones over an extended period of time. The experience has resulted in low tolerance for some students during the course of wearing and for some, from the beginning.”
“We are grateful for assistance from Corporates as we depend on benefactors for support. Our teacher: student ratio is high due to the special attention our children require, and any support for improvement is appreciated. We have a history of more than 40 years in Dubai as one of its oldest non-profit organizations. We are happy to acknowledge the role the Corporate community has played in the wellbeing of our students.” she added
Heston Saldanha, Sales Director, Sonova Consumer Hearing Middle East said “Sennheiser is associated with superior sound, so we are delighted to be able to assist students of determination in their challenges related to sound. One of the headphones we have offered is the Set 880 assistive listening device since it delivers crystal clear, enhanced sound to users with changing hearing needs. It is effortlessly simple to set up and use.”
“For students who are sensitive to sound, our PXC 550-II headphones with Adaptive Noise Cancellation automatically adjusts to surroundings to suppress unwanted background noise. They will help students to focus and concentrate. We will continue to associate with Al Noor Training Centre going forward as Sennheiser’s consumer division is now part of Sonova – one of the world’s leading makers of hearing devices.” He added.
Al Noor is a non-profit organization that provides holistic development to an individual with disabilities with the intention of integrating them into mainstream society. The Centre relies on fundraising and sponsorship from corporates/communities to cover the costs of running the Centre.
The Al Noor Training Centre was established in 1981 with just 8 children. Since then, it has expanded, to enrich the lives of hundreds of children and young adults with various physical and cognitive challenges.
The Centre follows a holistic approach to the well-being and development of all students, who benefit from individualized, specially designed programmes to suit their specific needs. Its broad curriculum covers all areas of training and development and offers a wide range of therapies, vocational training, work placement schemes, co-curricular activities, and satellite programmes – all designed to support students and their families every step of the way.
Today the centre has 190+ students from 28 nationalities, who enjoy the excellent facilities of the purpose-built centre. The purpose-built facility of the Centre premises located in Al Barsha was generously donated by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
