Dubai Airports Installs 520+ Hearing Loops for Accessible Travel

Dubai, 2025 – Dubai Airports, the operator of Dubai International Airport (DXB), which is the world’s busiest international airport, has taken a major step to make travelling easier for people with hearing difficulties. The airport has completed the installation of more than 520 Hearing Loops across its terminals, marking the world’s largest deployment of this technology at an airport. This move highlights DXB’s ambition to become one of the most accessible and inclusive airports in the world.

The Hearing Loops are specially designed systems that make it easier for people who use hearing aids or cochlear implants to hear announcements and communicate clearly while moving through the airport. With more than 1.5 billion people worldwide living with some form of hearing loss, and numbers expected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, this technology is becoming essential in public spaces and transportation hubs around the world.

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What Are Hearing Loops and How Do They Work?

Hearing Loops, also called induction loops, are devices that send sound directly to hearing aids and cochlear implants. They work by using a magnetic field to transmit sound from public announcement systems, information counters, and other sources straight to a hearing device.

The system at DXB is simple to use. Passengers who have a hearing aid or cochlear implant can activate the ‘T’ (telecoil) setting on their device, and the sound will be transmitted directly to them. There is no need for pairing or extra equipment, making the process seamless and easy for travellers.

Locations of Hearing Loops at DXB

Dubai Airports has installed the Hearing Loops in many key areas throughout all three terminals of DXB to ensure travellers can benefit from them wherever they are. Some of the main locations include:

• Check-in counters – where passengers start their journey

• Immigration desks – for smooth communication with officers

• Boarding gates – so travellers hear announcements clearly

• Information desks – for guidance and support

The loops are part of DXB’s broader plan to provide practical, guest-centered solutions, making it easier for all passengers, including those with disabilities, to navigate the airport confidently.

Statement from Dubai Airports’ COO

Majed Al Joker, Chief Operating Officer at Dubai Airports, spoke about this milestone. He said:

"At Dubai Airports, we are committed to ensuring that every guest, regardless of ability, can navigate our terminals with ease, dignity, and confidence. The successful installation of over 520 Hearing Loops across DXB is a testament to the collaborative spirit of our oneDXB airport community. Our partners and airlines have worked together to make this vision of a seamless and accessible travel experience a reality for all."

Collaboration with OneDXB Community

The installation of the Hearing Loops was not done by Dubai Airports alone. It was completed with the help of the oneDXB community, which includes various partners working together to improve airport services. Some of the partners involved were:

• Emirates and flydubai airlines

• Dubai Police

• General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA)

• Dubai Customs

• dnata

• Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services

• Dubai Taxi Company

• Dubai Duty Free

This collaborative approach ensured that the project was delivered smoothly with minimal disruption to airport operations, while maintaining high service standards for travellers.

Alignment with Dubai’s Universal Design Code

The installation of the Hearing Loops also aligns with Dubai’s Universal Design Code, which requires all public spaces and transport infrastructure to be inclusive and accessible. The aim of the Universal Design Code is to create environments where everyone can move safely and comfortably, regardless of their physical or sensory abilities.

In line with this, Dubai Airports also trained frontline employees to assist travellers with hearing difficulties, ensuring that passengers receive help whenever they need it. Staff members were trained to guide passengers, provide clear instructions, and help them make the most of the Hearing Loop system.

Importance of Accessibility in Airports

Airports are busy, noisy, and complex environments. For people with hearing loss, it can be challenging to hear announcements about flights, gate changes, or important safety information. Hearing Loops provide a direct and clear connection to these announcements, reducing stress and helping travellers move confidently through the airport.

With more than 1.5 billion people worldwide living with hearing loss, and numbers rising each year, accessible communication systems like Hearing Loops are becoming essential. By installing over 520 loops, DXB has set a global example for airport accessibility, showing that inclusivity can be built into the very infrastructure of a busy international airport.

Part of a Long-Term Accessibility Strategy

The Hearing Loops installation is just one part of Dubai Airports’ long-term strategy to improve accessibility for all passengers. The airport is also focusing on:

• Infrastructure improvements – making terminals and facilities accessible

• Employee training – teaching staff to assist passengers of determination

• Guest-centered solutions – designing services that meet a variety of needs

This strategy ensures that every passenger, regardless of ability, can feel welcome, supported, and understood at every stage of their airport journey, from the moment they arrive at the airport to when they board their flight.

Benefits for Travellers

The new Hearing Loops system at DXB will make a significant difference for travellers with hearing difficulties. Some of the benefits include:

• Clear communication – passengers can hear announcements directly in their devices

• Ease of navigation – understanding instructions at check-in, immigration, and boarding gates

• Independence and confidence – passengers can travel without relying heavily on others

• Inclusive experience – DXB becomes welcoming to travellers of all abilities

By making the airport environment more accessible and inclusive, DXB ensures that all travellers can have a safe and smooth journey.

Dubai Airports continues to invest in technologies and services that improve the travel experience for all passengers. The deployment of Hearing Loops is a major milestone, but it is also part of a bigger vision to make DXB the most accessible airport in the world.

Future plans may include additional accessibility features and services, building on the lessons learned from this project. Dubai Airports is committed to continuously improving the airport environment to meet the needs of every passenger, regardless of ability.

With over 520 Hearing Loops installed across all three terminals, Dubai International Airport has set a world-leading example in airport accessibility. This project shows a strong commitment to passengers with hearing loss, providing practical solutions to help them navigate the airport with confidence, independence, and dignity.

By working together with airlines, government agencies, and other partners, Dubai Airports is creating a truly inclusive airport experience for everyone. The initiative not only improves accessibility but also reflects Dubai’s broader vision of universal design and inclusivity in public spaces, making it easier for all travellers to enjoy a safe, seamless, and welcoming journey.

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