Latest tech will bring new opportunities for assistive listening

[NEW AUDIO SHARING TECHNOLOGY that could transform the way hearing aid and cochlear implant users listen to audio was launched in June. Auracast has been designed specifically for people with hearing loss to stream audio to devices such as hearing aids and cochlear implants. It will make audio in public places and on personal devices like smartphones much more accessible.

Since Bluetooth’s announcement of the new technology in early 2020, hearing loss charity RNID has been working with the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) to ensure the new technology is easy to use and safe, and that the rollout is as smooth as possible.

RNID says it will continue to work with Bluetooth SIG and with its supporters to encourage venues and product developers to adopt Auracast and make the transition from existing systems, as it has the potential to make a significant difference to the lives of people with hearing loss.

The Bluetooth SIG are currently finalising the specifications that product developers and venues will have to meet in order to use Auracast. That is expected to be released in the next few months with new products – including hearing aids and cochlear implants – to start coming onto the market in early 2023.

RNID trustee Gideon Hoffman commented: “Auracast could transform the everyday lives of people with hearing loss and make the world much more inclusive. RNID really wants to encourage this kind of inclusive technology and we were thrilled to be able to contribute to its development and rollout.

“While traditional systems like loop systems are useful, this new technology will be in devices everyone uses, which makes it inclusive and easy to access music, video and conversations with friends and family.”

Assistive listening systems can be used to help people who struggle to hear audio in difficult environments. That can include hearing speech in noisy places, music, dialogue on television and the telephone. There are different technologies that can help do that such as loop systems.

For hearing aid and cochlear implant users, streaming audio using Bluetooth from personal devices like smartphones has been available for some time. However, currently, it only allows users to connect to a single device at a time and sometimes only works with specific devices.

Auracast is different: anyone with Auracast-enabled Bluetooth earbuds or hearing aids will be able to access high-quality audio through the privacy of their own device.

Auracast will also be the first truly universal Bluetooth connection. Users will be able to stream audio from any Auracast-capable device to their Auracast-enabled Bluetooth earbuds or hearing aids. q