The 2020s have seen a wave of new assistive hearing technology and an era where private hearing aids have become more widely talked about than ever before.
One of the most promising technological advances in this area is the roll-out of Auracast assistive technology working with a new generation of Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids.
With national cinema chain Vue rolling out Auracast to 18 of its cinemas according to journalist Liam O’Dell, it is worth exploring the practical benefits of Auracast, what it provides to people who are hard of hearing, and why it may be time to upgrade your hearing aids.
What Is Auracast Technology For Hearing Aids?
A relatively new Bluetooth-powered technology, Auracast is a broadcasting technology that allows a wireless transmitter to send high-quality audio to a near-unlimited number of other nearby devices without the complex pairing process used by conventional Bluetooth.
This allows someone with a hearing aid to simply connect their device (or other assisted listening devices or headphones) to a dedicated audio channel, which will allow them to listen to crystal-clear audio directly from the source.
For example, participating Vue cinemas will allow someone with Auracast hearing aids to connect to the Auracast channel hooked up to their screen and listen to clear audio of the film.
Is Auracast Like A Hearing Induction Loop?
In principle, it works very similarly to an induction loop or T-coil, a system used to help people with hearing aids listen to telephone calls, public service announcements and many public events through a more direct and clearer channel.
However, unlike an induction loop, Auracast does not require a physical wiring loop to create a magnetic field, which significantly reduces the costs for businesses to implement it more widely.
There are also sometimes issues with implementing induction loops, as pipes or metal building components can make the magnetic field less effective.
There is also only one single “T-channel” that can be activated in a given location, whilst Auracast can be connected to a wide number of broadcasts in the same area.
At the same time, T-coils are currently far more common than Auracast, so places such as Vue are likely to have Auracast, T-coils and neck loops available, and people can choose the best system for them.
Is Auracast Like A Hearing Aid Neck Loop?
Auracast is also somewhat similar to personal inductive listening devices or neck loops, which are a wearable version of an induction loop that creates the same magnetic loop technology used in hearing loops.
Neck loops typically connect wirelessly to an audio source via FM radio bands, which is typically not as clear as a system such as Auracast.
They also require more bulky equipment to be worn around the neck, unlike Auracast, which can be activated using a smartphone and is as discreet as your hearing aids are.
How Does Auracast Help People With Hearing Aids?
Auracast has been around for a couple of years, waiting broadly for headphone and hearing aid manufacturers to catch up to the more recent Bluetooth audio standards needed to use them.
However, there have already been benefits to using the system at home; many computers and entertainment devices have Auracast support, allowing you to connect your hearing aid to your TV easily and comfortably.
This is being more widely rolled out into public spaces as the technology becomes more affordable to everyone.