Finding Auracast™ Assistive Listening?

Loop Minnesota Posted on by

Auracast™ is the latest hot topic in audio & hearing research and technology. Articles are written about it. It is debated and discussed in hearing loss and accessibility meetings. Hearing aids and cochlear implants are sold as Auracast-ready. But what does this all mean? What is Auracast™ and where can we find it to experience it?

New technology in a worldwide market.

Commonly referred to as Auracast™ Broadcast Audio, this is a new and evolving Bluetooth® trademark Assistive Listening System (ALS) for public and personal use. The technology is added to the list of already existing access options, such as FM, IR, hearing loops and WiFi. That said, all currently available technologies remain relevant and Auracast™ will coexist with them into the future.

In this emerging and competitive worldwide market, it takes time for manufacturers, installers and venues to catch up with Auracast™ broadcasting and for audiences to become ready for Auracast™ receiving. Right now, we still need it all. Note that those with telecoils in their hearing aids or CIs will also be able to connect to Auracast™ Broadcasting by plugging a neckloop into the provided Auracast™ receivers.

Broadcasting and receiving

Auracast™ uses L.E. (Low Energy) Bluetooth Audio to broadcast (transmit) sound wirelessly from one Auracast™ transmitter to many Auracast-ready receivers (listening devices). Bluetooth compatibility between Auracast™ transmitters and Auracast™ receivers enables people to share their audio with others. The technology promises improved sound quality. But those who are hard-of-hearing may wonder how well Auracast™ will perform in background noise, their archenemy?

Transmitters can be anything from integrated commercial Auracast™ broadcasting units to Auracast-enabled TVs, laptops, pads, computers and smartphones. Receivers are Auracast-compatible listening devices and instruments, such as earbuds, headsets, hearing aids, cochlear and bone-anchored implants and smartphones.

So, where can one listen to Auracast™?

This is a bit of an issue. In the State of Minnesota, no Auracast-broadcasting venues are currently known to Loop Minnesota nor to the people who contact us because they want to listen to the advertised clearer sound with their Auracast-ready hearing aids or cochlear implants.

As of this writing, one could say that public broadcasting installations lag behind advertising & sales efforts, media attention and people’s expectations. Of course, practical issues like pricing and the availability of reliably trained local installers may also contribute to delays.  

That said, Auracast-listening opportunities might already be out there. But where?  If anybody knows of an Auracast-equipped broadcasting venue in our State, please let Loop Minnesota know. Contact us through this website. We want to establish an Auracast™ location list for our website – as we have done for Hearing Loops.

Getting ready

Eventually, Auracast™ will come to venues near us. Meanwhile, consumers are advised to check on the Auracast™ status of new purchases, such as hearing & listening technologies, home entertainment equipment, smartphones etc.  Although Auracast™ access in public places will happen gradually over time, we want to get ready. But for now – we watch and wait.

Senior Living Hearing Assistance? Ask About it!

Loop Minnesota Posted on by

By now, it is well known that Aging tops the list of the many causes of hearing loss. The older people become the more problems they have hearing and understanding speech in background sound. This seriously limits socializing for those who hope to find new friends and connections in Senior Living facilities, their new homes.

Sadly, it is not a given that Senior Living places meet the communication needs of the hard-of-hearing (HOH). This has become apparent during personal visits to such facilities. Also, Loop Minnesota gets requests for information about assistive hearing technology from residents.

Limits to participation and quality of life

At issue: Community & Activity locations often lack appropriate accommodation for those with hearing challenges. People feel excluded from participating in physical, religious and leisure activities. Maybe facilities count on residents having hearing aids. However, hearing aids also have their limits in noise-confused environments.

Hearing loss increases the risks for isolation, depression and even dementia. And so, one would expect Senior Living facilities to advertise Hearing Access technology prominently in ads that cater to older adults, their target population with varying degrees of hearing challenges.

Ask about available Hearing & Listening technology

Unfortunately, most people don’t think to ask about communication access when they choose their future homes. If possible, go for an on-site visit and see for yourself. Besides the marketing agent who is usually the “Tour” guide, ask to speak to the AV (Audio-visual) technician.

What kind of hearing accommodation is available? Who operates and maintains the system(s)? Are staff trained in their use? Do residents know that hearing assistance is available, and do they know how to use it?

Public Address (PA) systems are the most common. It was explained to me that they are easy to handle and have plenty of volume. However, louder is not necessarily better for those with hearing loss. It can actually make things worse.

That said, well-maintained and upgraded loudspeaker – or PA – systems are a good start. They also support the addition of other choices, such as hearing loops and/or neckloops to be used with T-coil-equipped hearing aids, FM (Frequency Modulation – basically a radio system), Infra-Red (IR) and Wi-Fi. These technologies can and will coexist for years to come. In the future, we will add the emerging Low Energy (L.E.) Bluetooth broadcast & receiving technology known as Auracast™ to the list.

And so, we have options and changes are happening even as I write this. However, the important thing is for Senior Living residents to hear now.  

In the end, Bingo and Yoga for all!

Without access to communication, people can’t fully participate.  And so, don’t be taken by surprise. Ask about assistive hearing technology. Be included – not excluded – in your new home. After all, it’s a matter of quality of life!

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Also check out my blogs at https://hearing-loss-talk.com/

 

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