Auracast is a broadcasting system that uses Bluetooth® Low Energy to transmit a wireless signal to your hearing aids or smartphone. This assistive listening technology brings you closer to the speaker, reducing the opportunity for interference caused by distance from the sound source. In turn, you will have a better opportunity of hearing and understanding speech. Auracast is a new technology becoming available in theaters, arenas, places of worship or even at home for your personal use with your television.
“Being able to work with the installer gave me a better understanding of how Auracast works. This helped me teach staff how to use it and help listeners pair their devices,” said Maggie McCarthy, Albany ENT’s Director of Audiology. “Seeing a new system go live, with a group of our own patients, was such a positive and encouraging experience! This technology is a gamechanger for accessibility!”
How Can I Access Auracast?
Currently, the following hearing aids are compatible with Auracast via your manufacturer’s application available through the Google Play™ Store or AppStore®:
- Oticon Intent™ and Zeal™
- ReSound Vivia™, Enzo™ IA, Savi™ and Nexia™
- Starkey OmegaAI and Edge AI
What If I Don’t Have One of the Listed Hearing Aids?
If your hearing aids are not Auracast compatible, your phone may be.
The following smartphones may be Auracast compatible. You may be able to access the Auracast broadcast with headphones or hearing aids that allow for direct audio streaming.
- Google Pixel™ Series: Pixel 8, 8 Pro, 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold
- OnePlus Series: OnePlus 13 Pro, 13T, 13T Pro, 14, 14 Pro
- Samsung Galaxy Series: S23, S23 Ultra, S24, S25
- Motorola: Moto G Power, Moto G Stylus
I Don’t See My Hearing Aids or My Phone Listed. Can I Still Access This System?
If you are in a public venue, inquire about transmitters or “body packs.”
- If you have a telecoil program in your hearing aid, the body pack includes a telecoil neckloop that allows you to access the broadcast while in your telecoil program.
- If you do not have a telecoil but do have a partner microphone, you can plug the partner microphone into the audio output jack as if you were plugging in headphones.
- If these options still do not fit your current situation, you can plug traditional wired headphones into the body pack and listen that way. While this will not incorporate the frequency-specific sound-shaping benefits of your hearing aids, depending on your hearing loss, this reduction in distance and background noise interference may improve the signal and your ability to understand speech. Some facilities encourage individuals to provide their own headphones, for hygienic purposes. Dr. McCarthy recommends having your own personal pair of standard, 3.5mm audio jack headphones if you have concerns regarding sharing headphones.