Auracast Assistive Listening Systems*
Can Auracast broadcast audio be used as an assistive listening system?
Auracast ALS doesn’t yet exist. Auracast ALS is expected to take a decade to become widely available and usable at scale. Why? Check out the handouts below.
*The full technical name is “Auracast Broadcast Audio used as part of an Assistive Listening System (ALS)” and is simply identified as Auracast ALS on this webpage.
Tools
See also 15 years of declarations about telecoils, Bluetooth, and Auracast (this website).
How the hyperlinks work:
- image or title -> opens a new webpage with more information
- download icon at bottom -> direct download or website
What is Auracast™ broadcast audio?
Auracast™ broadcast audio is an expanded Bluetooth® technology. Classic Bluetooth©, used broadly by nearly everyone today, allows transmission from one-to-one. Auracast broadcast audio differs from Classic Bluetooth in that it allows transmission from one-to-many.
Auracast broadcast audio can be used in two very different ways:
- Auracast broadcast audio for Audio Sharing (no live sound).
Examples: Sports bar TVs and personal sharing audio. Audio sharing transmits from one smartphone or laptop computer to multiple Auracast compatible wireless earbuds, with friends and family. - Auracast broadcast audio used as part of an Assistive Listening System (ALS) (live sound).
Examples: theaters, lectures, and meetings.
Auracast broadcast audio has the potential to form the basis of an assistive listening system, but it is unknown if and when various systems will be (in the US, ADA) compliant with disability regulations. Auracast broadcast audio has the potential to be used as an assistive listening system, but it is unknown if and when various products will be ADA-compliant. International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 60118-17 Standard is scheduled to be released in December 2027. It will include latency limits, sound quality, connectivity requirements, and more. IEC TC 29 Dashboard
Buyer beware. Each manufacturer’s new system must meet all ADA 2010 Standards, 706 Assistive Listening System requirements. See Americans with Disabilities Act for assistive listening systems (this website).
What do I need so I can use assistive listening systems today and in the future?
Bluetooth and telecoils.
Consumers need telecoils in their hearing instruments to connect to current assistive listening systems TODAY. These systems—hearing loops, FM, or infrared—are mandated by federal and state civil rights laws. Better yet, these systems are now available worldwide. Telecoils are the only hardware component that connects directly to these systems and they are far from obsolete.
Years in the future, when Auracast broadcast audio used as an Assistive Listening begins to enter the market, telecoils and Auracast broadcast audio used as Assistive Listening will co-exist for many years. When consumers have both telecoil and Bluetooth technologies, they can go anywhere and use existing and any optional new systems. See article How ‘Public Access Ready’ Hearing Aids Could Offer a Competitive Edge (article, webpage, 3/21/24)
Read what professionals are saying:
Having an Auracast assistive listening system compatible hearing aid today – is comparable to having an electric vehicle but not having any charging points anywhere in your state, except for the charger that came with your car. It will take a decade – if not longer – before the adoption of Auracast Assistive Listening transmitters will become commonplace. Users will not only need new hearing aids and cochlear implant processors but require a complete Auracast ‘ecosystem.’
Dr. Juliëtte Sterkens, AuD. professional advisor for hearing loop (and other assistive listening) technology with HLAA. Read Juliëtte’s full comments in Response To Consumer, Regarding Regret Not Having Auracast in Hearing Aids (PDF) (1.5 pages)
Auracast Assistive Listening Systems are not going to be available for quite some time (The IEC 60118-17 standard for it is scheduled for 2027). Loops and Tcoils will be needed for at least 10 years – assuming Auracast Assistive Listening Systems actually delivers what the Hard of Hearing (HOH) and hearing aid/cochlear implant user need – which is too early to say at this stage. But potentially we have an interesting future technology on the horizon.“
Dr. Peter Mapp, Assistive Listening Design Consultant
Induction loops and telecoils are here to stay
Loop systems are used worldwide because not all people (for example) can afford high-end or have access to hearing aids and hearing technology. Loop systems may also be used by millions of people with, for example a mild to moderate hearing loss, who do not use hearing aids; loop receivers with headphones may give access in a universal way to provide information in certain situations.(for example: the elderly, emergency situations and more)
We believe that there is room for multiple devices and that installing a telecoil/induction loop system is highly worthwhile because of the benefits, available at relatively low cost.
National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities, South Africa
Auracast Assistive Listening Systems is being promoted as the next–generation assistive listening system, but the when, where, and how have yet to be determined. Broad adoption will require both venues and hearing aid users to upgrade equipment. Market saturation could take years, maybe even decades, to realize.
Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) Get in the Hearing Loop
This means that virtually NOBODY has the correct Bluetooth protocol in their receiving device and will require the purchase of a new device (whether that is a smartphone, hearing aid, or CI) to take advantage of the technology. And only then, once manufacturers release transmitters into the market. And that is another big question – when will the first transmitters be available for sale? The other big question for the assistive listening industry is — when will hearing aids and cochlear implants be available with Bluetooth 5.2? Estimates range from 2023 – 2030, depending on the brand.
James Rowe, Chief Executive, OTOjOY Reflections on the future of Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) (PDF) “Auracast” as a possible future assistive listening technology November 2022. (3.5 pages)
Where practical to install a loop system that should still be considered as a primary choice for accessibility now, little has changed since hearing loops and telecoils were the preferred technology of choice by 86% of hearing aid users (reference on website).
Part of this is also ease of access, in many cases accessing a loop is as simple as seeing the recognised signage and pressing a button or switch on the hearing aid. There is only one channel of audio available, and there’s no doubt that the audio you’re connecting to is trustworthy.
For all these reasons it’s imperative that these technologies co-exist for many years to come.
Ampetronic, hearing loop manufacturer, 12/21/23
“Because the fact that Auracast is rolling out I would not hesitate to say that you’re still going to be supporting t-coils for a long, long time. It’s going to take a long time before Auracast overtakes loops. I’m guessing it’s going to be like 10 years.”
On November 3, 2023, at the national convention of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology in Florida, Andrew Bellavia spoke. (Video length 48:22)