Hearing Support
On this page:
Aira American Sign Language (ASL)
The Aira ASL app provides remote, on-demand American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. Use the Aira ASL app to connect instantly to a professional ASL interpreter via remote video. Using your phone’s camera and microphone, the interpreter will help facilitate communication. This free service is available to anyone at PDX.
How does it work?
- Download the Aira ASL app on your phone.
- Open the app and select "Call Interpreter" to initiate a video call.
- An ASL interpreter will appear on your screen and facilitate real-time conversations.
Counter Hearing Loop Systems
We've installed Counter Hearing Loop Systems at the PDX info booths (near baggage carousels 4 and 7) as well as baggage claim podiums 2, 3, 7 and 8.
A counter hearing loop system can help individuals with hearing aids or cochlear implants communicate more effectively in noisy environments. The system transmits sound directly to hearing devices equipped with a telecoil (T-coil), bypassing background noise and improving clarity.
A microphone captures the speaker's voice, which is then amplified and sent through the loop. The loop generates a magnetic field that is picked up by the telecoil in the user's hearing aid, allowing them to hear the speaker's voice clearly.
Visual Paging
To aid people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, all overhead messages at PDX — from gate changes to lost and found announcements – are also displayed on written signs throughout the terminal. You can find these visual pages on monitors in all concourses, throughout baggage claim, and on our Visual Paging page.
Text Telephones (TTYs)
A TTY for the Deaf or Hard of Hearing community can be found at the information booth on the north end of baggage claim, near bag carousel 8. For general information, dial 1-800-815-4636 (TTY).