Auracast Technology is Transforming the Hearing Aid Industry

It’s incredible to see the ways technology has continued to transform the options for people who need assistive devices for hearing loss. Auracast is being discussed throughout the industry as experts and hearing aid users see the possibilities with this new broadcast technology. People are saying that this could be a game-changer.

Upgrading Bluetooth: What You Need to Know

If you or a loved one uses hearing aids, then you know how convenient it is to use Bluetooth for streaming audio or connecting to phone calls directly through the hearing aids. Auracast builds on these benefits – it is different from traditional Bluetooth options, opening the door for many advancements in the future.

While most premium hearing aids offer Bluetooth capabilities, one notable drawback is in the battery life. Typically, a person wearing hearing aids needs their battery to last the entire day – 15 hours. At the same time, comfort is priority, which means the desire is to have these hearing devices as small as possible. The challenge is creating a hearing aid that can handle battery-draining features (such as Bluetooth) while still maintaining the small design.

A new Bluetooth global standard was unveiled in 2020 known as Bluetooth LE Audio (LE is an acronym for “low energy”). This technology offers better quality of sound with only half of the energy required. It paved the way for Auracast since the updated Bluetooth capabilities reduces the battery usage without sacrificing streaming quality.

How Auracast is Changing the Industry

These Bluetooth developments led to a new protocol known as Auracast, which enables shared audio experiences.

For example, you could be in a public place and see a muted television on the wall. The audio from the show can be broadcast into the headphones or hearing aids of the people who want to listen. It creates a simultaneous experience where everyone can participate using their own hearing device of choice.

Not only is this development exciting for people with hearing loss, but it also enables shared experiences for people using regular Bluetooth headphones. Everyone in the room can experience the same audio stream simultaneously. It’s a universal access leveraging some of the existing features of Bluetooth, with extra benefits to improve the overall experience for everyone involved.

Benefits of Auracast

Here are a few ways that Auracast technology outperforms basic Bluetooth technology:

• Streamlined Audio Access: The way Auracast can be used, it is much more accessible even for people who don’t have a smartphone. The technology helps to streamline the way audio can be delivered to different types of devices, including Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids and headphones.
• Reduce Battery Consumption: The power requirements for Auracast are lower compared to other types of Bluetooth technology. So, users can listen to the audio stream and have a much smaller battery drain compared to before.
• Community Experience: If you are in a public place using Auracast, the audio stream can be shared with everyone who is participating. Anyone can bring a compatible device, including hearing aids, headphones, or other types of assistive technology.

These benefits listed above are regarding Auracast technology in general. Additionally, there are more benefits available for hearing aids specifically:

• Shared Audio Experience: Previously, Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids could only pair with one device. So, it was difficult to listen to something with a loved one. Now, Auracast allows people with hearing aids or headphones to tap into the audio stream together. This shared experience helps to bridge the gap between people with hearing and people with hearing loss.
• Public Events: People with hearing aids often agree that it can be difficult to hear things in busy, loud environments. Auracast sends the signal directly to the hearing aid, which eliminates the background noise and allows the person to stay in the loop about what is happening. For example, Auracast can be great at a large event where the speaker is talking through a microphone, because the audio stream goes directly into the hearing aids through Auracast.
• Waiting Rooms: How often have you stared at a silent television screen while sitting in a waiting room? While captions can enable a person to follow the storyline, many people prefer to hear what is going on in the show or sports game. Auracast allows anyone to tap into the audio stream, so they can listen to the programming privately.
• Pairing Earbuds and Hearing Aids: If a person has hearing loss in one ear, then it can feel unbalanced to have a hearing aid in one ear and an earbud in the other ear. Now, Auracast makes it possible to stream the audio through both the hearing aid and earbud simultaneously, so the person doesn’t have to choose between using their hearing aid or an earbud.

Assisted Listening Made Easy

Auracast is making it easier than ever for people with hearing loss to participate in larger group activities. The technology works as a PA system, with the main device transmitting to as many receivers as possible. The speaker or presenter can communicate with many people simultaneously, even if the audience is using different devices.

As this technology continues to roll out, it is expected that the big brands in the electronics industry will jump on board. This capability can easily be added to headphones, earbuds, and other electronic devices from all of the major tech companies.

Even if a person is using hearing aids that don’t have Auracast built in, then there may be options to tune in through their smartphone.

Instead of having the limitation of only one device being paired for Bluetooth, this technology will make it possible for the entire room to tune in together. For larger events, such as sports games or the Olympics, it’s even possible to have unique channels to accommodate different languages that need to be transmitted.

Personalized Hearing Aids for Our Patients

Do you need help choosing the right hearing aid technology for your unique needs? Then we invite you to contact us at Fairfax Hearing Center. Our expert team is staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in the industry. Schedule a consultation and we will help you find the ideal technology to optimize your hearing.