At all life stages, communication and good hearing health connect us to each other, our communities, and the world. Hearing loss affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, and, as global populations age, that number is only expected to grow. The World Health Organization estimates that 1.5 billion people worldwide currently experience some form of hearing loss.
In many public places like airports, theaters, houses of worship, and transit hubs, following announcements or enjoying shared audio experiences can be difficult or even impossible for those with hearing loss. That’s where Bluetooth® technology is stepping in to help.
“Train stations, airports, and other public spaces with a lot of background noise can be challenging for people living with hearing loss,” said Dr. Stefan Zimmer, secretary general of EHIMA. “Understanding speech in these acoustically challenging environments requires technological support. Solutions such as Auracast™ broadcast audio can significantly improve the ability of people with hearing loss to communicate. Users of hearing aids or hearing implants will thus be able to move and orient themselves more easily and safely in their acoustic environment in the future. Participation and inclusion will be facilitated, and the overall quality of life will be enhanced.”
Bluetooth® LE Audio and Auracast™ broadcast audio are redefining what’s possible in hearing assistance, making it easier for us to connect with each other, our communities, and the world. Bluetooth LE Audio adds standardized support for hearing aids and other hearing instruments, making it easier than ever for people with hearing loss to connect to phones, tablets, TVs, and more. Auracast™ broadcast audio, a new Bluetooth® capability, takes this a step further by allowing users to access audio broadcasts from a friend’s personal device or in public spaces. That means people with hearing aids, earbuds, or headphones can access audio straight from a friend’s smartphone, tablet, PC, etc. or from a venue’s public address or sound system using their personal hearing instrument, with no need to borrow or request special equipment — just clear, inclusive audio for everyone.
Solutions such as Auracast™ broadcast audio can significantly improve the ability of people with hearing loss to communicate. Users of hearing aids or hearing implants will thus be able to move and orient themselves more easily and safely in their acoustic environment in the future. Participation and inclusion will be facilitated, and the overall quality of life will be enhanced.
Dr. Stefan Zimmer, EHIMA
Benefits of Bluetooth® LE Audio
Building on 20 years of innovation, Bluetooth LE Audio enhances the performance of Bluetooth® audio, adds support for hearing aids, and introduces Auracast™ broadcast audio. Standardizing support for Bluetooth® hearing aids increases their availability and enables true global interoperability. It also frees those with hearing loss from being locked into proprietary implementations.
Bluetooth® LE Audio also improves power efficiency and sound quality, introducing lower latency, lower power consumption, and better sound quality to Bluetooth® hearing aid devices. This allows developers to offer more features without impacting battery life.
Lastly, Bluetooth® LE Audio integrates seamlessly with consumer devices, enabling hearing aids to connect directly to compatible phones, tablets, and PCs. This integration brings all the benefits of Bluetooth® audio to the growing number of people with hearing loss.
The Auracast™ broadcast audio advantage
Auracast™ broadcast audio is a new Bluetooth® capability that delivers life-changing audio experiences, letting you share your audio, unmute your world, and hear your best, enhancing the way you engage with others and the world around you.
Installing traditional assistive listening systems can be complex, time-consuming, and often costly, making them impractical for many venues and limiting availability. Because of the time, expertise, and investment typically needed — and the perception that these systems only serve a narrow audience — assistive listening systems (ALS) are often under-deployed, leaving many public spaces without inclusive audio solutions. Auracast™ broadcast audio is removing these barriers to ALS deployment, reducing setup time from days to minutes and making it easier for venues of all sizes to roll out inclusive audio.
By increasing audio access, Auracast™ broadcast audio is reinforcing the idea that accessibility should be expected and effortless. Many ALSs often make those with hearing loss feel separate and stigmatized, requiring users to request special equipment and revealing personal needs in public settings. By enabling anyone to receive high-quality, direct-to-ear audio using their personal devices, Auracast™ broadcast audio creates a shared, inclusive experience that makes audio accessibility feel mainstream and modern — whether you are using hearing aids, earbuds, or headphones, Auracast™ broadcast audio is accessible by design, not exception.
“While current assistive listening systems, 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,” said Nick Hunn, CTO of WiFore. “Auracast™ broadcast audio is well positioned to become an advanced, new assistive listening system that will be significantly easier and lower cost to deploy while offering higher audio quality and greater privacy, improving audio accessibility and promoting better living through better hearing.”
Auracast™ broadcast audio also expands audio access beyond assistive listening, unlocking new ways to hear and share sound: unmuting public TVs and screens in gyms, bars, and airports; tuning into audio descriptions in museums or theaters; or easily sharing audio with friends and family nearby. ABI Research forecasts that 1.5 million public venues are expected to become Auracast™ locations by 2029.
Auracast™ broadcast audio is not just for people with hearing loss; it is for anyone who wants to hear better in public spaces.
Audio accessibility is essential
According to the World Health Organization, 2.5 billion people are projected to have some hearing loss by 2050. Bluetooth is driving a major leap forward in inclusion and innovation, empowering individuals with hearing loss and opening new opportunities for participation in public life. Bluetooth® technology is not only improving how people hear but also how they participate, connect, and belong, helping to build a more accessible world for everyone.“Auracast™ broadcast audio and Bluetooth® LE Audio are game changers when it comes to making the world more accessible and inclusive for people with hearing loss,” said Thomas Olsgaard from GN Resound. “Bluetooth® LE Audio offers amazing sound quality and connects seamlessly with hearing aids, while Auracast™ broadcasts transform how we experience audio in public spaces, making it easier for people to enjoy events in theatres and cinemas and navigate places like airports and public spaces. By focusing on designing technologies and services that break down barriers, we are opening up opportunities for everyone, no matter their challenges.”
Auracast™ broadcast audio and Bluetooth® LE Audio are game changers when it comes to making the world more accessible and inclusive for people with hearing loss.
Thomas Olsgaard, GN Resound
One day soon, accessing audio in public spaces using Auracast™ broadcast audio will be as common and expected as connecting to the internet using Wi-Fi. By supporting inclusive solutions that enable people with auditory needs to engage more fully, Bluetooth is removing barriers and enriching lives through greater independence, participation, and belonging.
