Auracast: an opportunity for hearing aid technology?

A very happy new year to you and welcome back to the Peter Byrom Audiology blog! As we head into 2023, I want to take a look at an exciting development in streaming technology – Auracast.

What’s the current situation?

For the majority of my patients who wear hearing aids, the ability to stream is a must-have. Music, phone calls, TV and apps can be enjoyed through your hearing aids. Typically, this is down to the Bluetooth® in hearing aids allowing you to connect with your phone or an additional device that connects with the TV.

What are the limitations?

While impressive, the main challenges around the current Bluetooth® technology are:

• Battery drain – too much streaming and you could run out of power. This is a particular issue for those with rechargeable hearing aids who can’t just pop in a new battery.
• Number of devices – it varies among manufacturers, but there are limitations on how many devices can be connected at once.

How is Auracast different?

Above all, Auracast will revolutionise the way hearing aids (and non-hearing aids!) wearers can connect with sound.

One of the most exciting developments is broadcast mode; as a hearing aid wearer, you may have a loop system which allows you to connect to the sounds in a cinema, theatre etc. The drawbacks to loop systems in public spaces are that not everyone has a telecoil in their hearing aid and a lot of venues don’t know what a loop system is or it’s not installed properly.

The new Auracast Bluetooth® will be in all new hearing aids and venues will only need an Auracast Bluetooth® Transmitter to transmit to everyone with a Bluetooth® device whether it’s a hearing aid or headphone. It is expected that this will be less expensive and much simpler to install.

This could mean going to your favourite bar and tuning into the football seamlessly via your hearing aids. It doesn’t end with entertainment though – any venue with an audio stream – let’s say a train station, could use the Auracast Bluetooth® Transmitter and you could receive any announcements directly to your hearing aids.

What else?

• The streaming quality will be better due to a lower bit rate which means less latency and degradation.
• A reduction in battery drain – you should be able to stream all day long if you want to!

To find out more about this exciting new technology, take a look at this helpful page from RNID:

Our Services

Whether it’s new technology you’re after or a hearing MOT, don’t forget about the services on offer here at Peter Byrom Audiology:

• Wax removal
• Hearing tests
• Hearing aids
• Lyric hearing aids
• Assistive listening devices
• Medico-legal work
• Vestibular assessments and treatment
• Lenire for tinnitus

As always, look after yourselves and I hope to see you soon.

Take care,

Peter