These Empowering Technologies Make Communicating — and Connecting — Easier
Public spaces are often a whirlwind of people, activity, and excitement, but with hearing loss, they can feel frustrating and isolating. The combination of background noise, distance from speakers, and echoing acoustics can make it challenging to follow conversations or understand announcements, even with hearing aids.
Enter audio loops and the next generation of Bluetooth® technology, Auracast. These helpful aids can be empowering resources in public spaces. Both send sound directly to your listening devices, helping you hear more clearly in potential venues like theaters, houses of worship, airports, and clinics.
What Are Hearing Loops and Auracast?
Hearing loops, also called “audio induction loops,” are a well-established assistive-listening technology. They’re essentially a wire installed around a space — an event hall, a classroom, a countertop, or even a sofa — and connected to a microphone, television, or public-address system.
Hearing aids equipped with a telecoil or T-coil setting can pick up the loop’s signal. This allows sound to stream directly to your hearing aids or cochlear implant (CI), cutting through background noise. If you’re not sure whether your devices support looping (many standard-size hearing aids, depending on the model, do support it), our knowledgeable team can help.
Auracast broadcast audio is a newer feature of Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Audio. An Auracast transmitter sends a live audio signal wirelessly via Bluetooth LE. People with Auracast‑compatible hearing aids, CIs, earbuds, or headphones can receive the broadcast using an Auracast assistant app on a compatible smartphone or other device.
This newer tech is designed for a wide range of users, whether or not they have hearing loss, and can support assistive listening and general audio sharing. As Auracast‑equipped products and venues continue to roll out, access is expected to expand across more public spaces such as airports, theaters, houses of worship, and other environments.
How Hearing Loops and Auracast Differ
As mentioned above, hearing loops send amplified sound through a wire installed around a room, creating an electromagnetic field that telecoils in hearing aids and CIs can receive. When a hearing aid’s T‑coil setting is selected, audio is routed directly to the device instead of its microphones, reducing the effects of distance, background noise, and room acoustics.
Because loops rely on physical installation, performance can vary depending on design and calibration. The international standard IEC 60118-4 provides guidance for field strength and clarity, but adherence may vary. A well-installed loop following these guidelines can offer a quality sound experience.
Instead of a loop’s wired approach, Auracast uses Bluetooth LE Audio to broadcast digital sound wirelessly from a transmitter. Anyone with an Auracast assistant and Bluetooth LE Audio-ready listening device (whether or not it’s a hearing aid) can access the stream. Conversely, loops require a telecoil-equipped hearing aid or CI for access.
Practical guidelines for Auracast, such as how venues signal availability and how users access broadcasts, are still evolving as adoption expands. Keep an eye out for signage: While hearing loops are marked by the traditional blue “T” symbol, you’ll start to see a new broadcast-style logo indicating Auracast availability.
Benefits and Limitations of Each Technology
Hearing loops offer reliable access to sound in a variety of public spaces. They:
- Work with hearing aids and CIs that have telecoils
- Don’t require a smartphone or additional steps beyond switching to the T-coil setting
- Are flexible enough to be used at home with televisions or sound systems for a more comfortable personal listening experience
However, not all hearing aids include a telecoil, and not all public spaces are equipped with loops. Installation requires physical wiring, which may be costly or impractical in some buildings. While new loop installations may decrease over time with the rise of less-expensive technologies, existing systems remain an important accessibility resource.
Auracast expands access by supporting multiple types of listening devices, including hearing aids, CIs, earbuds, and headphones. It allows more people to benefit from assistive listening without specialized, wired infrastructure.
Though Auracast may in some scenarios be less expensive overall for a venue to install and maintain versus a wired system, it does require the end user to have a Bluetooth LE Audio-compatible listening device and Auracast-enabled assistant, typically a smartphone running the latest operating system updates.
In addition, Auracast technology is still emerging — neither available in all public spaces nor installed on all listening devices and smartphones. As adoption grows, users may need guidance on how to identify and connect to Auracast broadcasts.
Some newer hearing aids are beginning to include LE Audio/Auracast support in addition to telecoils. If you’re considering CIs, ask your hearing care provider whether processors that support both are available for you.
Common Questions About Audio Loops and Auracast
What makes public spaces so difficult to hear in?
Public spaces often include background noise, distance from sound sources, and reflective surfaces that distort speech. These factors make it harder for hearing devices to isolate important sounds. Audio loops and Auracast technology help by delivering sound directly to the listener.
Do all hearing aids work with hearing loops?
Many hearing aids include a telecoil or T-coil setting, a critical component for accessing loops, but not all models do. The telecoil must be activated to receive loop signals. A hearing professional can confirm whether a specific device supports looping.
Is Auracast meant to replace hearing loops?
Auracast isn’t necessarily aimed to eliminate hearing loops, which have been used for decades. Audio-induction loops — employed in classrooms, performance halls, houses of worship, and other spaces — are empowering and effective. The two technologies can coexist and complement each other.
Who can use Auracast broadcasts?
Auracast can be used by people with compatible hearing aids, CIs, earbuds, or headphones. A Bluetooth LE Audio-ready device and an appropriate smartphone are typically required. The technology’s potential use with a wide range of devices can increase accessibility for many users.
How can I make sure my hearing technology is future-ready?
Choosing hearing aids or CI processors that support both telecoils and Auracast can help. Technology continues to evolve, so staying informed, keeping your devices updated, and consulting your hearing care professional are crucial.
What’s the sound quality with audio loops and Auracast?
Sound quality with audio loops is typically clear, but it can vary depending on how well the loop was installed and where microphones are placed within the space. When installed properly, loops can significantly reduce background noise and improve speech understanding. Auracast can provide high-quality digital audio in many noisy environments when properly implemented.
Public spaces don’t have to mean struggling to follow conversations or feeling isolated. Getting familiar with hearing loops and Auracast — including how your devices connect — can make listening clearer and more comfortable than ever.
Our caring hearing-health team can help you explore your options and choose the right solutions for your needs. Contact us for an appointment today!
The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. The Auracast™ word mark and logos are trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Any use of such marks by the author is under license. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.