Auracast™ LOCATION PROFILE
Lyric Opera of Chicago
About this location
Key stats
Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Venue type: Theatre
Location size: 3,276 seating capacity
Auracast™ equipment installed: Listen Technologies
Installation: Thunder Hearing & Sound
At Lyric Opera of Chicago, inclusion and access are central to the organization’s work. According to John Yelen, senior director of facilities, Lyric has established four core areas that represent its commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA); these pillars support the organization’s goal of sharing the arts with all.
The problem statement
Lyric Opera of Chicago previously relied on an FM-based assistive listening system, but its coverage did not extend reliably throughout the theatre. In some seating areas, the signal would drop out completely, creating an inconsistent listening experience for patrons.
The organization had been discussing accessibility improvements with Thunder Hearing & Sound for years and initially planned to install a hearing loop system. However, extending loop coverage to every seat represented a significant investment. Auracast™ broadcast audio emerged as a more affordable alternative capable of reaching every seat in the house.
Cost and ease of use ultimately became important factors in Lyric’s decision. The organization also wanted to adopt technology it saw as the future direction of assistive listening rather than face another technology change soon afterward.
The Auracast™ solution
Deployment
Lyric selected the Listen Technologies Auri™ system to replace its existing FM solution. Working with Thunder Hearing & Sound, the team planned mounting locations for five transmitters throughout the theater and commissioned the system. “The installation required only a small portion of the time that had been projected for installing a hearing loop system capable of covering every seat,” said Yelen.
The system also allows the second channel of each transmitter to deliver audio descriptions for performances.
Benefits
“One of the most significant improvements has been consistent coverage,” said Yelen. “The dropouts experienced with the previous FM system are no longer occurring in certain seats, giving patrons the flexibility to sit anywhere while receiving a good listening experience.”
Early patron feedback has also been positive. Yelen recalled that one patron, after experiencing the Auracast™ system for the first time, was surprised by how good it sounded. Beyond assistive listening, the ability to use an additional channel for audio description gives Lyric another way to support accessible experiences during applicable performances.
A look ahead
Lyric’s deployment reflects its broader commitment to making the arts more accessible. By replacing an FM system that could not provide reliable coverage to every seat, the Lyric Opera of Chicago has introduced a solution designed to provide a more consistent listening experience throughout the theater.
Learn more about Auracast™
Register your Auracast™ location
