Auracast™ LOCATION PROFILE
Creative Computing Institute at the University of the Arts London
About this location
Key Stats
Location: London, United Kingdom
Venue type: University
Equipment installed: Auri system
Installation type: DIY installation
Established in 2019, the Creative Computing Institute (CCI) at the University of the Arts London (UAL) offers forward-thinking programs in creative computing, robotics, computer and data science, and artificial intelligence. At its core, the institute strives to be inclusive and accessible, supporting a diverse student body while pushing the boundaries of what is possible through technology in creative education. As part of that mission, the team at CCI is continuously exploring new ways to enhance the learning environment for all students, including those with hearing loss.
The problem statement
Many classrooms within the CCI were not equipped with assistive listening solutions. While some larger rooms featured voice-lift systems or induction loops, most of the learning environments did not provide support for students or visitors with hearing loss.
Tom Lynch, the institute’s technical manager, had long been interested in improving accessibility for students and ensuring the learning environment met modern inclusion standards. His team considered several assistive audio solutions, including some that were already in use elsewhere across the university. However, none met the immediate accessibility needs and the vision for future-forward audio support that the CCI had in mind.
The Auracast™ solution
Deployment
Intrigued by the potential of Auracast™ broadcast audio, Lynch engaged with the Ampetronic team and got a hands-on demonstration and comparison with other assisted listening solutions, such as induction loops, IR systems, and Wi-Fi-based alternatives. The real-world testing, conducted with input from the students themselves, helped validate the system’s impact.
The Auracast™ solution stood out not only for its superior sound delivery but also for its potential to scale in the future. Lynch’s team selected the Ampetronic Auri Dante system, which enabled seamless integration with their existing audio infrastructure and delivered a straightforward, modern solution for assistive listening.
Installation was remarkably efficient. “We were able to install our Auracast™ solution in only an hour because we didn’t have to get a contractor in to lift the floor or install a loop,” said Lynch. “It was super easy; it’s hard to imagine it getting much easier.”
“We were able to install our Auracast™ solution in only an hour because we didn’t have to get a contractor in to lift the floor or install a loop.”
– Tom Lynch, technical manager at CCI
Benefits
The Auracast™ deployment instantly addressed a key accessibility gap in the institute’s teaching spaces. With classes starting shortly after installation, the system was ready to support students from day one — a level of agility that would have been impossible with more traditional solutions.
One of the most valuable outcomes was the solution’s ability to meet current and future student needs. “Auracast™ broadcast audio gave us the ability to meet the immediate needs of our students as well as plan for a future where other students could potentially make use of the system through Auracast™ enabled headphones,” said Lynch.
A look ahead
As wider adoption of Auracast™ broadcast audio continues — embedding it into more hearing aids, headphones, and smartphones — the benefits of this deployment will only grow. Lynch and the team anticipate that this approach will evolve into a standard part of classroom accessibility, much like telecoil systems in the past.
For the CCI, deploying Auracast™ broadcast audio was not just a system upgrade, it was a meaningful step toward creating a more inclusive academic environment that adapts to the needs of all students, today and tomorrow.
“Auracast™ broadcast audio gave us the ability to meet the immediate needs of our students as well as plan for a future where other students could potentially make use of the system through Auracast™ enabled headphones.”
– Tom Lynch, technical manager at CCI
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