The number of people experiencing hearing loss is rising, creating a growing need for better access to direct audio in public venues. San Williams explains how Auri, developed by Ampetronic and Listen Technologies, is set to meet these demands and revolutionise how we approach sound accessibility.

For attendees at live events, church services, and other public gatherings, struggling to hear can lead to a sense of disconnection. Currently, about 466 million people globally experience some form of hearing loss, many without access to the services they need to navigate difficult listening environments.

To help bridge this gap, Ampetronic and Listen Technologies have teamed up to create Auri, a superior assistive listening solution designed to improve the lives of those with hearing loss. Auri is their first Auracast broadcast audio-based product, delivering broad, flexible audio directly to hearing devices—without the need for individual pairing.

What is Auracast?

Auracast represents the next generation of Bluetooth technology. Unlike traditional Bluetooth, which pairs devices one-to-one, Auracast can broadcast audio simultaneously to an unlimited number of compatible devices, including hearing aids, earbuds, and wearables.

This marks a shift from traditional Bluetooth pairing to a more dynamic, one-to-many broadcasting model. Auracast also eliminates common public space audio challenges, such as low latency.

“Just like an FM system that broadcasts audio, Auracast isn’t restricted by the number of people in a space. The difference is that the hassle of pairing has been removed. If you have 1,000 or even 5,000 people within range of the broadcast, they’ll all receive the audio,” Jands business development manager Andrew Attard says.

“There’s a lot of misinformation out there. Audiologists may not always be aware of current technologies. For instance, even with infrared systems, FM or a loop, audio won’t reach a Bluetooth hearing aid that doesn’t have a T-coil. Auracast will address this long-standing issue.”

According to a survey led by University of Florida professor Alice Holmes, around 15% of American students would not pass a 16dB hearing screening test. Andrew notes that Auracast can help ensure learning environments are more inclusive, allowing students to seamlessly listen to lectures and engage in discussions.

A New Age with Auri

While Auracast is a milestone in audio connectivity and accessibility, Listen Technologies and Ampetronic are set to release Auri in late 2024, the first Auracast broadcast audio-based solution.

The Auri system features two radios for flexible routing, can cover over 100m in open spaces and is expandable through a repeater mode. With a design resembling a WiFi access point, Auri includes charging bases and dedicated receivers, making it suitable for environments ranging from small meeting rooms to large stadiums. The system also supports either open or secure transmission, offering flexible security options and includes optional Dante capabilities.

“Our Auri product line will accelerate the adoption of Auracast. It brings this technology into large public environments, meeting the demands of professional installations with network control and audio,” Ampetronic managing director Julian Pieters says.

Auri D4 and D16 Docking Stations

“Although it may take years for all end users to have Auracast-compatible devices, Auri’s receiver platform allows venues to adopt the technology now and meet accessibility legislation requirements.”

The growing adoption of Auracast technology in hearing aids (like those from ReSound and Cochlear) and consumer devices (such as Samsung’s Galaxy Buds2 Pro) signals a major leap forward in making advanced hearing solutions more accessible and user-friendly.

Beyond assisting individuals with hearing loss, Andrew highlights another benefit of Auri in its potential to transform live sound production, an area that has historically lacked effective hearing augmentation.

“Installing a loop system or providing receivers has always been a challenge in live sound. Auri is small, portable and can sit on a console as a sound engineer, feeding your mix directly. Now you can broadcast to the entire audience,” Andrew explains.

“If the PA is too loud, you can simply use your Auracast-compatible wearable to access the audio instantly.”

As the possibilities of Auracast continue to unfold, integrating Auracast Bluetooth streaming technology with Auri devices promises to change how we experience sound and meet diverse accessibility needs.

To learn more about Listen Technologies in Australia, visit www.jands.com.au