Enjoy a day of learning and fun at one of these museums!
Do you have a passion for exploring history, art, and culture? Museums around the world have taken significant steps to make their exhibits more accessible, and now make hearing loss accommodations an integral part of their visitors’ experience.
While this positive trend is happening in museums everywhere, let’s look at six fascinating, hearing loss-friendly museums around the world and the steps they’ve taken to accommodate visitors with hearing loss.
- American Museum of Natural History
- National Gallery of Art
- The Museum of Deaf History
- The British Museum
- Louvre Museum
- Rijksmuseum
Learn more about the exhibits and accessibility features at these hearing loss-friendly museums below!
American Museum of Natural History (New York City)
The American Museum of Natural History offers an array of captivating displays that cater to a wide range of interests. Explore the famous dinosaur fossils, marvel at the rich biodiversity of Earth’s wildlife, and dive into the depths of the ocean in their immersive exhibitions.
As one of the best hearing-loss-friendly museums in the city, the American Museum of Natural History provides a variety of accommodations and assistive listening devices upon request.
For instance, you can ask for captioning glasses at Invisible Worlds and the Hayden Planetarium and induction loop hearing systems at some of the special exhibition galleries. Or you can bring your own headphones, neck loops, or hearing aids to sync with the on-site loop systems. You can also download PDF transcripts of the museum’s most popular presentations. Explore all the options on The American Museum of Natural History accessibility page.
National Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C.)
One of the true gems of the United States’ capital city, The National Gallery of Art boasts works by renowned artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, and Claude Monet. Immerse yourself in centuries of art and culture as you explore its vast collection of paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts.
The National Gallery takes pride in its commitment to accessibility. It provides portable assistive listening devices with induction loops and receivers for guided tours (be aware, you need to request the assistive technology three weeks in advance). In addition, its educational programs and guided tours are designed to be inclusive, with some tours led in American Sign Language (ASL), ensuring that visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing can fully engage. And if you can’t attend the museum in person, check out ASL virtual tours of the National Gallery highlights in the west building and east building here!
The Museum of Deaf History (Olathe, Kansas)
This museum is uniquely dedicated to the history of the Deaf community. Dive into the rich history of Deaf culture, from the origins of sign language to the achievements of Deaf individuals in various fields. The Museum of Deaf History provides a truly immersive experience for visitors of all backgrounds.
Naturally, this museum is designed with complete accessibility in mind, including sign language interpreters for guided tours and events. Additionally, its interactive exhibits allow visitors to explore Deaf culture through various mediums.
The British Museum (London, UK)
The British Museum’s vast collection spans continents and millennia, making it a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts. Explore the treasures of human history, from the Rosetta Stone to the Egyptian mummies.
This world-renowned institution strives to be accessible and inclusive. It provides induction loops for tours and events, ensuring that visitors with hearing loss can fully engage in the experience. Additionally, it offers captioning for selected audiovisual presentations. Visit the AccessAble website for an in-depth guide to accessibility in different areas of the British Museum.
Louvre Museum (Paris, France)
The Louvre Museum, home to the iconic Mona Lisa, is committed to making art accessible to all. Immerse yourself in the world of art as you explore the Louvre’s unparalleled collection. From ancient sculptures to Renaissance masterpieces, there’s something for every art lover to admire.
Some of the museum’s options for visitors with hearing loss include hearing loops installed throughout the museum and tours in French sign language. You can also book a Nintendo 3DS audio guide for a self-guided tour; these devices are compatible with the types of hearing loops they provide. Printed walking guides are also available, in a variety of languages.
Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
The Rijksmuseum’s collection showcases the cultural heritage of the Netherlands, making it a captivating destination for history and art enthusiasts alike. Delve into Dutch history and art with works by Vermeer, Rembrandt, and other renowned artists.
Accessibility choices will depend on what kind of tour you want. If you’re planning a self-guided tour of the museum, download the free Rijksmuseum app and sync it to your Bluetooth-compatible hearing aids. All multimedia content is also available with text captions. If you’re taking a guided tour, ask for a “whisper set,” which will amplify the tour guide’s voice directly for you.
These hearing loss-friendly museums are just some of the facilities world-wide ensuring that everyone can enjoy the wonders of art, culture, and history. Add them to your travel “bucket” list and embark on a journey of discovery and inclusivity.
And for our truly dedicated museum buffs, here are six more amazing hearing-loss-friendly museums to visit, too!
