Question
How does Auracast technology function as an assistive listening solution, and what are its practical applications in real-world settings?
Answer
Auracast is a brand-new type of Bluetooth streaming known as broadcast audio. It is part of the more recent Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Audio technology that utilizes a low complexity communications codec called LC3. This advancement provides better sound quality with lower battery power and lower latency than classic Bluetooth. While classic Bluetooth is a one-on-one technology, Auracast allows for one-to-many multi-streaming, meaning a single transmitter can broadcast audio to an unlimited number of receivers simultaneously, including hearing aids, earbuds, and headsets.
The Auracast ecosystem requires a transmitter to broadcast the signal and an assistant to help the receiver device join the broadcast.
This technology is making public spaces more hearing-friendly and accessible for everyone by enabling shared listening experiences from personal devices and improved public address systems. To access these broadcasts, listeners currently use an Auracast assistant, such as a smartphone app or smartwatch, to pick up the stream and act as a conduit for the transmission to their hearing devices. Practical implementations have already occurred in various global venues, including theaters like the Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre outside Chicago, transportation hubs like Frankfurt Airport, and major cultural venues like the Sydney Opera House.
Compared to traditional telecoil loop systems, Auracast offers several distinct advantages for accessibility and audio quality. It provides a stereo signal and better audio quality for music, whereas loop systems typically provide a mono signal. Auracast is also far less expensive to install and supports multiple channels, which allows for future possibilities like audio descriptions for the visually impaired or broadcasts in multiple languages. Audiologists can advocate for this technology by using location-specific resources and conversation guides from the Bluetooth website to approach venue managers about the benefits of becoming an accessibility leader.
Learn more by watching this course from ReSound, Turning Technology into Access: Auracast Advocacy in Real-World Settings, presented by Jill Mecklenburger, AuD, 2025, AudiologyOnline
