At all life stages, communication and good hearing health connect us to each other, our communities, and the world. While current assistive listening system (ALS) technologies, such as inductive loops, have been providing great benefit to people with hearing loss, they suffer from a number of challenges that have limited their deployment, including poor quality, high cost, and lack of privacy. The Bluetooth SIG worked closely with the hearing aid industry to define and introduce the next generation of assistive listening system technology, Auracast™ broadcast audio.
Audio accessibility for all
Auracast™ broadcast audio is an advanced, new assistive listening system that is significantly easier to deploy at a lower cost while offering higher audio quality and greater privacy. Public locations – including conference centers, movie theaters, transportation centers, places of worship, and more – are already deploying Auracast™ broadcast audio.
A number of facilities around the world have already deployed Auracast™ solutions to drive inclusion and enhance audio accessibility for everyone who visits. Below are just a few examples of how established venues are integrating Auracast™ broadcast audio.
The Sydney Opera House
At the Sydney Opera House, Auracast™ broadcast audio is enhancing accessibility and sound quality for people with hearing loss and beyond. Music lover Andrew Bellavia, who wears hearing aids, experienced the technology firsthand and found it vastly superior to traditional hearing loops, especially for live music. Auracast™ broadcast audio offers stereo sound, wider bandwidth, and the ability to blend ambient audio, creating a rich, immersive experience. The system is easy to use supports and multiple audiences. Its adoption at the Sydney Opera House reflects a growing demand for inclusive, high-quality auditory experiences.
Creative Computing Institute at the University of the Arts London
The Creative Computing Institute (CCI) at University of the Arts London, committed to inclusive education, addressed accessibility gaps by adopting Auracast™ broadcast audio technology. Previously, many classrooms lacked support for students with hearing loss. After evaluating alternatives, Technical Manager Tom Lynch selected the Ampetronic Auri Dante Auracast™ system for its easy installation and seamless integration. The system was up and running within an hour, immediately benefiting students and aligning with future tech integration, such as Auracast™ earbuds, headphones, hearing aids, and cochlear implants. This deployment marked a significant step in CCI’s mission to create an adaptable, accessible learning environment that evolves with student needs and technological advancements.
GodFirst Church
GodFirst Church in Christchurch, England, adopted Auracast™ broadcast audio to enhance accessibility for its diverse and growing community. Previously lacking an assistive listening solution, the church faced cost and disruption challenges with traditional hearing loop systems. Instead, they implemented the compact, cost-effective EarisMax Auracast™ transmitter, avoiding structural renovations. Deployment was smooth, and early results showed improved engagement for attendees with hearing loss. The system offers scalability, simplicity, and compatibility with personal devices, reducing hardware needs. GodFirst registered its venue publicly for accessibility and plans further expansion, aiming to ensure everyone can hear clearly and participate fully in worship and events.
Grace Lutheran Church
Grace Lutheran Church in Woodstock, Illinois, upgraded its aging FM assistive listening system to the Auracast™ Auri system to better serve its 300-member congregation, especially older individuals with hearing loss. Led by Audio Technician Andrew Bellavia and AV Leader William Nattress, the church selected Auracast™ broadcast audio for its audio clarity, ADA compliance, ease of use, and future-proof compatibility. Installation was smooth, and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with users praising its sound quality and simplicity. The church expects growing adoption as personal devices evolve, and it now appears in public directories as an accessible worship space, embracing inclusive, forward-looking audio solutions.
I highly recommend Auracast™ broadcast audio for anyone considering an assistive listening system. Multiple vendors offer equipment, the installation is straightforward, and the future is moving in this direction.
ANDREW BELLAVIA, GRACE KUTHERAN CHURCH
Advocate for Auracast™ broadcast audio in your facility
Whether used alone or with existing assistive listening systems, Auracast™ broadcast audio can improve audio clarity, support accessibility, and deliver immersive audio experiences in many public locations.
If you are interested in advocating for Auracast™ broadcast audio to be deployed in your facility, check out these Auracast™ advocacy resources. These helpful tools will give you a better understanding of the technology, learn how to communicate its potential benefits, and assist locations in determining if Auracast™ broadcast audio is the right fit for their accessibility needs.
