A new Bluetooth standard promises to make hearing assistance in public spaces easier, broader and more inclusive than ever
Over the past two decades, assistive listening systems have transformed how people with hearing loss connect with the world, as the technology moves from wired loops to wireless broadcast.
From loops to Bluetooth
Previously, hearing loops were the dominant public-access technology. These systems use copper wire loops that generate a magnetic field, transmitting sound directly to hearing aids equipped with telecoils. Widely adopted across Europe, hearing loops made cinemas, churches and concert halls more accessible.
Other solutions such as infrared receivers and FM systems offered benefits in classrooms and workplaces but relied on dedicated microphones or receivers. Users often had to advocate for themselves and depend on audiologists for support.
The Bluetooth revolution
The introduction of Bluetooth reshaped this landscape. In 2014, the ReSound Linx became the first standalone Bluetooth hearing aid, setting a new standard for connectivity. Since then, hearing aids have gained the ability to pair seamlessly with smartphones, allowing clearer phone calls, music streaming and remote fine-tuning by hearing professionals.
Teleaudiology has also flourished, enabling audiologists to adjust hearing aids in real time from afar. Although Bluetooth’s power demands once raised battery concerns, most modern devices are now rechargeable and designed for all-day use.
Beyond Bluetooth: introducing Auracast
Despite its success, Bluetooth has limits. Its range typically extends no more than 10 metres, and it cannot link directly to public audio systems as telecoils can. This gap is where Auracast broadcast audio steps in.
Developed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, Auracast uses Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) to broadcast audio to any number of compatible receivers without pairing. It promises the range and inclusivity of hearing loops combined with the simplicity of Bluetooth.
Public audio access reimagined
Experts predict Auracast will become the next standard for assistive listening. By transmitting audio over Bluetooth rather than relying on loops or FM systems, it removes the need for separate receivers or complex installations.
Airports, gyms, conference centres and theatres could broadcast sound directly to compatible hearing aids, delivering clear, low-latency audio while filtering background noise. The technology could even offer multilingual support, allowing users to select their preferred language in real time.
Early adopters
Real-world deployment has begun. The WYO Performing Arts & Education Center in Wyoming recently installed an Auracast-enabled system that streams directly to compatible devices, complementing its existing hearing loop and offering patrons a clearer, more flexible listening experience.
“Auracast could do for assistive listening what Bluetooth did for personal audio,” said Micaela Stonestreet, Clinical Audiologist at Hearology®. “It promises effortless, inclusive access to sound in shared spaces – something that could make daily life dramatically easier for people with hearing loss. However, it will take some time for hearing aid manufacturers to develop and produce Auracast-compatible devices and for public spaces to update their assistive listening systems.”
References
Auracast™ broadcast audio and assistive listening - The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) introduces Auracast broadcast audio
WYO Theater Offers More Accessible and Inclusive Performances and Events - How the WYO Performing Arts & Education Center in Sheridan, Wyoming, has enhanced its accessibility efforts
Perspective: Evolution of Assistive Listening Systems - Audiologist Hunter Gerhart reflects on the evolution of assistive listening systems, from hearing loops to Bluetooth-enabled devices and the promising future of Auracast
