MDHearing Outlines the Benefits
of Auracast™ Broadcast Audio
for People With Hearing LossMDHearingが概説：Auracast™ ブロードキャスト オーディオが難聴者にもたらすメリットとは

Can you explain the difference between Auracast™ broadcast audio and existing assistive listening technologies (e.g., telecoil/loop, etc.)? 

Auracast™ broadcast audio brings a host of new benefits versus the telecoil + loop systems that exist today. At MDHearing, we do not see Auracast broadcast audio replacing loop systems but working with them as an additional accessibility option. Some of the Auracast benefits versus traditional loop systems include ease and cost of implementation, range, and configurability. As mentioned previously, Auracast transmitters should be very low cost and very simple to deploy, much simpler and cheaper than installing a loop system. In addition, Auracast broadcast audio provides an expansive range. Loop systems work within the loop itself, so the range is dependent on the physical wires of the loop systems. Another benefit of Auracast broadcast audio is that multiple broadcast streams can exist in the same area, and the hearing aid user can choose which stream to join. Loop systems are all or nothing – one area can contain one loop.

Though hugely beneficial to both public venues and hearing aid users, the introduction of multiple broadcast streams does have the potential to introduce a bit more complexity. Loop systems just work – when a telecoil-enabled hearing aid enters that loop, the hearing aid automatically picks up that sound. The user does not have to choose between any number of broadcasts. Auracast broadcast audio will operate more like we think of Wi-Fi networks – the user will have to actively choose which stream to join. While not difficult, it will present an additional step to users when accessing a broadcast. 

What challenges are consumers currently experiencing with today’s assistive listening technologies? 

Telecoil loops have provided a great way for hearing aid wearers to directly stream audio into their hearing aids. The technology is robust, proven, and works.

The biggest challenge with traditional loop systems in the US is their availability. Unfortunately, loops are not as prevalent as one would hope – not nearly enough locations are wired up with telecoil loops. This lack of penetration causes frustration for users and leads some hearing aid manufacturers to not include telecoils in their hearing aids.

Auracast™ broadcast audio will help solve this by offering locations a much simpler, more affordable way to offer accessible audio broadcast streams. This will take time as hearing aid manufacturers will have to build in support for Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast™ broadcast audio, and locations will have to set up Auracast transmitters. 

MDHearing recently demonstrated Bluetooth LE Audio in hearing aids at the HLAA event. Can you talk more about what you demonstrated and the feedback you received? 

MDHearing was thrilled to demonstrate Bluetooth LE Audio streaming into hearing aids with Auracast™ broadcast audio. We built the ability into our Volt Max hearing aids to subscribe to multiple Auracast broadcasts. For demo purposes, we set one broadcast to the audio from a monitor playing a video clip and set another broadcast to the audio from a handheld microphone. Users reported being able to clearly hear both streams at well over 100 meters away. Users could flip between streams with the push of a button on the hearing aid. Overall, show attendees seemed very impressed with the sound quality, lag, and range.  

What are the phases of adoption, and what will deployment of Auracast™ broadcast audio in your hearing aids look like?

The best thing that can happen to speed Auracast™ adoption will be if the phone, TV, and other electronics manufacturers build support into their devices. We’re watching developments there closely. We’re hoping the industry moves quickly to adopt Bluetooth LE Audio, especially the phone manufacturers. In the meantime, we’re hoping that low-cost Auracast™ broadcast devices gain wide acceptance and plan to work on our own solutions there.

Bluetooth LE Audio really makes product development faster and easier, and it carries less maintenance costs. Once Bluetooth LE Audio starts to penetrate the market a bit more, driving home those benefits with product developers should spur more adoption. 

Are you currently in development of Auracast™ products and solutions? 

We are but can’t share our exact product timeline at this point. That being said, I’d look for a launch sometime in 2023 for both hearing aid support and some sort of broadcast transmitter.