Auracast™ LOCATION PROFILE
Congregation Beth Shalom
About this location
Key stats
Location: Northbrook, Illinois
Venue type: House of worship
Location size: 1,000 seating capacity
Auracast™ equipment installed: Listen Technologies
Installation: Thunder Hearing & Sound
Congregation Beth Shalom seeks to enrich the lives of its congregation through evolving ideals of observance, lifelong learning, and acts of kindness from one generation to the next. The congregation is committed to meeting the spiritual, educational, and social needs of members through conservative Judaism in an inclusive manner. It also strives to encourage involvement and create a sense of belonging through service to its community.
The problem statement
Congregation Beth Shalom previously relied on an FM-based assistive listening system, but it did not provide adequate coverage throughout the building’s worship and event spaces. Because rooms are reconfigured for different events, the system also did not work well with every configuration. As a result, accessible audio was not always available to members of the congregation.
When the congregation began exploring an upgrade, Thunder Hearing & Sound demonstrated both hearing loops and Auracast™ broadcast audio. Members expressed interest in both solutions, leading Congregation Beth Shalom to install both systems and provide more options. “Installing Auracast™ broadcast audio was also a way to help us prepare for the future,” said Michael Garlin, Congregation Beth Shalom’s executive director.
The Auracast™ solution
Deployment
Congregation Beth Shalom selected Listen Technologies Auri™ transmitters as its Auracast™ solution. A dual deployment of hearing loops and Auracast™ broadcast audio was completed in three spaces within the building. The congregation also purchased a portable Auracast™ kit mounted on a tripod, giving the team flexibility to provide coverage in other areas of the facility as well as at outdoor events.
The deployment also delivered a notable improvement in the listening experience. “The sound quality was better than the hearing loop system,” said Garlin. This led the congregation to offer receivers specifically for the Auracast™ broadcasts. Coverage also extends beyond the area supported by the hearing loop, allowing users to step into the hallway without losing the signal.
Benefits
For Congregation Beth Shalom, two immediate advantages include direct connections and improved sound quality. More importantly, feedback indicates that the Auracast™ solution is making worship more accessible. Members have praised the system’s sound, and Garlin reported that for some, it was the first time in a long time that they had been able to fully participate in worship.
A look ahead
With Auracast™ broadcast audio and hearing loops available in three spaces, plus a portable Auracast™ system for additional indoor and outdoor applications, Congregation Beth Shalom now has greater flexibility in providing accessible audio across different environments.
Learn more about Auracast™
Register your Auracast™ location
