Inclusive flying: Dubai’s mega‑airport installs hearing loops for deaf travelers

Dubai’s biggest international airport, Dubai International (DXB) has been equipped with 520 hearing loops to support travelers with hearing loss.

The city’s media office stated on 15 September that the installation is geared towards enhancing accessibility for guests with hearing challenges, making the airport more inclusive.

World’s largest deployment 

According to Dubai Airports, the operator of DXB, the installation of 520 hearing loops is the largest deployment of hearing loops of any airport in the world, marking a significant step in providing support for the hearing-impaired.

The hearing loops aid all categories of travelers, including those with hearing aids or cochlear implants, in line with DXB’s ambition to become the world’s most accessible and inclusive airport

Majed Al Joker, Chief Operating Officer at Dubai Airports, 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, including all our strategic partners and airlines, whose unified effort is making our shared vision of a more seamless and accessible travel experience a reality for all.”

The loops have been strategically installed in key areas including check-in counters, immigration desks, boarding gates, and information desks across all three of DXB’s terminals.

Seamless access 

Users can connect to the hearing loops automatically by activating the ‘T’ (telecoil) setting on their device, with no pairing or additional equipment required.

With the loop rollout, Dubai Airports is helping to make DXB more accessible and inclusive for the more than 1.5 billion people worldwide living with some degree of hearing loss.

This ensures that all guests feel welcome and understood at every stage of their airport journey, from kerb to gate in line with Dubai’s Universal Design Code, which mandates inclusive access to public spaces and transport infrastructure.