Auracast in Hearing Aids and Hearables: Bluetooth LE and the New Revolution in Connectivity

Auracast™ broadcast audio is a groundbreaking Bluetooth^® connectivity technology destined to enrich the auditory landscape of hearing aid and hearable users, foster deeper connections, and help everyone’s world sound better.

Are you curious about what Auracast is, how it operates, and the transformative products expected to come soon to the world of audio? In this article, we take a deep dive into all things Auracast, addressing key questions and uncovering more about this cutting-edge technology as it relates to hearing aids, hearables, and hearing wearables.

What is Auracast Audio?

Auracast broadcast audio was announced in 2020 by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), the organization responsible for supervising Bluetooth standards development and licensing Bluetooth technologies and trademarks to manufacturers. Auracast is a Bluetooth connectivity platform that is part of the new Bluetooth 5.2 standard, commonly referred to as Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Audio. This enhanced Bluetooth technology optimizes energy efficiency and elevates sound quality across audio-enabled devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Interestingly, it was the hearing aid industry that, to standardize true wireless audio delivery, initially reached out and developed a partnership with the Bluetooth SIG for a solution.

“I was at a SIG member function many years ago when I was approached by a couple of people from the hearing industry saying, 'We want to standardize hearing access for hearing aids on the low-energy radio, and we want to bring all of the industry partners and industry companies together to help work through this standardization,'” explains Chuck Sabin, senior director of Market Development for Bluetooth SIG. “And it was from there that the effort was ultimately born within the Bluetooth SIG, and it grew from there to the culmination of LE audio and the capability of Auracast that comes with the LE audio architecture—which is effectively the new architecture for audio in Bluetooth going forward.”

So, how is Auracast different from traditional Bluetooth pairing? Conventional Bluetooth pairing involves direct connections between two devices, while Auracast is a broadcast-style model. Like a radio station, Auracast enables transmitters to broadcast a Bluetooth audio signal that an unlimited number of people can tune in to using their in-range Bluetooth audio devices, such as headphones, earbuds and hearables, hearing aids, or cochlear implants. There is no need to pair devices, and because the audio is being transmitted directly from the transmitter to your audio device, you hear it in real-time, with very low latency.

How does Auracast Audio work?

There are multiple ways of tuning into an Auracast broadcast. To understand how Auracast Audio streaming works, it can first help to get a grasp on some of the terminology:

Auracast transmitter: A Bluetooth device, such as a smartphone, computer, tablet, or TV, with the ability to send out an Auracast broadcast,

Auracast receiver: A Bluetooth device, such as headphones, earbuds, hearing aids, or cochlear implants, capable of receiving an Auracast broadcast.

Auracast assistant: A Bluetooth device, such as a smartphone, smartwatch, or hearing aid remote, capable of assisting an Auracast receiver in receiving an Auracast broadcast.

Though the terminology may seem a little technical, the process of actually accessing an Auracast broadcast couldn’t be more simple.

You might find it easier to think of connecting to Auracast as being similar to signing onto a Wi-Fi stream, but instead with Bluetooth audio sources. Let’s consider the process step by step:

1. An Auracast transmitter, such as a silent TV screen in a sports bar, starts a broadcast, providing information to Auracast assistants about the broadcast.
2. Next, you can tune into a broadcast using an Auracast assistant, such as your smartphone or tablet, to scan for Auracast broadcasts. A list of the available broadcasts will appear on your smartphone.
3. Finally, select the broadcast you want to listen to, and you can begin listening to the audio immediately through your Auracast-enabled receiver, which could include hearing aids, cochlear implants, or earbuds.

It’s important to note that since your smartphone (or other Auracast assistant device) only serves as a channel selector (or assistant), once you have chosen your preferred broadcast, the phone is no longer needed—you can even switch it off.

Bluetooth is working to standardize the information that's associated with being able to join a broadcast via a QR code. “For example, if you’re giving guided tours, you would be the one walking around with a microphone and an Auracast streamer,” explains Thomas Olsgaard, Principal Engineer at GN, the maker of ReSound hearing aids. “Then people are using their hearing aids or earbuds and listening in. And a good way to make sure you are connected to the right tour guide is to just scan their QR code, and there you go!”

Since Auracast is designed for public use, connecting to a broadcast will generally not require entering a password. However, certain situations may require a password to keep information private, such as conferences or private events. In these cases, you will be able to access audio through an encryption code, which is very similar to connecting to private Wi-Fi access points.

Auracast: The next-generation assistant listening system

Auracast audio can enable better hearing for everyone and aims to be an advanced new Assistive Listening System (ALS). This type of system can help people who find it difficult to hear audio in challenging listening environments, which include hearing speech in noisy surroundings, music, television audio, and telephone dialogue.

But, taking a broader view, Auracast is posed to change how all people interact with audio in public spaces.

Hearing in public spaces, which often have high levels of ambient noise or poor acoustics, can be challenging for everyone, especially for people with hearing loss. Since Auracast can deliver audio streaming directly to your ears via compatible hearing devices such as hearing aids or cochlear implants, this cuts out all the background noise, meaning the sound you hear is much clearer than when your hearing device simply processes sound from its surroundings. This means Auracast could serve as a valuable tool for people who wear hearing devices, providing them with a more comfortable and secure way to experience the world around them.

More advantages for people with hearing loss

While we explore the benefits for people with hearing loss, it's worth noting that those with unilateral hearing loss (like me) will no longer have to choose between their hearing aid, cochlear implant, or an earphone in their better-hearing ear to listen to audio. Thanks to Auracast, if both devices are compatible, people with unilateral hearing loss can simultaneously listen to audio through their hearing device in one ear and a wireless headset in the other.

Furthermore, there will be no more need for expensive proprietary TV streamers to connect your hearing aids to the TV audio. With Auracast, you can access the TV audio information crisp, clear, and direct to your hearing device.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the other applications of Auracast.

What are the uses of Auracast?

The capacity to transmit audio via Bluetooth opens the door to numerous potential applications. Auracast allows for the broadcasting of audio to a variety of devices, ranging from sophisticated public address (PA) systems to more simple ones like smartphones, smart TVs, or laptops. Though initially created for people with hearing loss, Auracast audio is a technology available to everyone and can enrich auditory experiences for all.

The advantages of Auracast can be organized into three key applications:

1) Unmute your world

Silent televisions are widespread in places like bars, restaurants, airports, gyms, and waiting rooms, providing a visual experience without accompanying audio. Utilizing Auracast, you can scan for available access points on public TVs and choose your preferred audio.

To illustrate this, imagine you are in a sports bar with multiple TVs showing games on different channels. You can select the TV showing the game you want to tune into by choosing it from a list of available audio sources on your smartphone. The audio from your chosen source will then stream directly to your headphones or hearing device. Since Auracast enables unlimited access to in-range receivers, other people in the same bar can also access the same audio in real time, meaning they can enjoy the audio experience, too.

2) Sharing audio experiences

Auracast lets you establish an audio hotspot directly from an Auracast transmitter, such as your smartphone or laptop. Imagine you are on a train journey and are watching a movie on your phone, iPad, or similar device. Auracast allows you to share this audio experience with a friend or, more impressively, with every headphone-wearer or people with hearing aids in your train carriage if they choose to tune in.

If you are a hearing aid user, no longer will you have to disconnect the audio from your hearing aids so that you can play your favorite song to a friend. Instead, simply set up a broadcast of your music from your smartphone, and your friend can connect simultaneously with their own Auracast-enabled headphones or hearing device.

3) Hear your best

Auracast will be available in all types of public locations where the audio may not be completely clear, including airports, conference centers, museums, gymnasiums, cinemas, stadiums, and places of worship. In these locations, Auracast streaming audio serves as an advanced assistive listening system, enriching the audio experience for people with and without hearing loss.

Visitors to these environments can receive audio directly into their own headphones or Bluetooth hearing devices with Auracast. This technology could transform how we watch movies, experience concerts and sporting events, access lectures, listen to public announcements, and even enhance the in-flight entertainment experience. Here are a few scenarios:

Accessing concerts, lectures, and presentations. With Auracast, the audio broadcast can seamlessly integrate into an audio source, such as a microphone. This integration lets you stream the audio directly to your Bluetooth earbuds or hearing devices— especially useful for experiencing live audio events, including concerts, lectures, and presentations.

Airports and transportation made easy. Airport and train station announcements can be unclear at the best of times for anyone, making them difficult to decipher—and they're particularly hard to hear for people with hearing loss. With Auracast, you can choose to access the announcements for your gate, and you will receive this directly to your headset or hearing device, meaning no more staring at the notification board—now you can relax and let the announcements come to you.

Options for multi-language. Conferences and meeting venues offering simultaneous translation services will allow participants to use their Bluetooth earbuds or hearing devices to listen to content in their preferred language. Similarly, in movie theaters integrating Auracast, people who prefer to watch a movie in a language different from the one being played will be able to do so seamlessly.

For an immersive demonstration showcasing the applications of Auracast broadcast audio, check out this video produced by Bluetooth SIG.

Could this be the end of the telecoil and hearing loops?

Returning to the topic of ALS for people who struggle to hear in public spaces. You might be curious about the advantages of Auracast compared to the existing ALS options found in certain public areas, specifically the combination of a hearing loop and telecoil. Is there really a need for new ALS technology? Let’s first consider how a traditional ALS works.

A hearing loop, or audio induction loop, is an ASL technology that consists of one or more loops of cable placed around an area, such as a meeting room, theater, shop counter, or place of worship. The sound of the person speaking or other audio is picked up by an in-built tiny metal coil, found in many hearing aids and cochlear implant processors, called a telecoil (T-coil). The audio is then sent wirelessly and directly to your hearing aids. This extremely useful technology has been enabling hearing aid users to tune into broadcast audio in places with hearing loops for decades.

Despite the significant advantages offered by induction loops, their widespread adoption has been hindered by several challenges. The installation of hearing loops can be both costly and labor-intensive. They may have poor audio quality due to the sometimes unpredictability of electromagnetism. There may be dead spots in transmission coverage and a lack of privacy features since everyone tuning in can access the same transmitted sound. Loop systems also require regular maintenance.

With the introduction of Auracast, described as "like a telecoil on steroids" by HearingTracker’s editor-in-chief Karl Strom, the accessibility of streamed sound will no longer be constrained by the physical limitations of the hearing loop cable. Instead of expensive and labor-intensive hearing loop systems, venues will have the option of installing cost-effective Bluetooth Auracast broadcast systems offering direct-to-aid transmission. This system will reduce power consumption, minimize latency (delays in sound transmission), and enhance bandwidth for improved sound quality. There are some drawbacks, however, to Auracast broadcast audio—the main one being that you’ll need a Bluetooth-compatible hearing device and Auracast-enabled transmitter for it to work.

Sabin told Hearing Tracker about how several installations are looking at using Auracast for different types of audio that people might want in addition to general audio. “When you’re watching a program, there are several things you may want to do relative to audio,” explains Sabin. “One might be, 'I want an augmented audio experience based on what’s coming out of the speaker.' Another might be, 'I want to get dialogue enhancement because my hearing loss is specifically geared toward dialogue.'”

Auracast also can be used for accessibility by people who are blind and require audio description. This means there could be the possibility for public venues, such as theaters, to provide multiple different types of accessibility to the individual based on their actual needs—a clear advantage over loop systems, which are limited in providing a single channel sharing the audio from onstage.

Andrew Bellavia, founder of the independent hearing consultancy AuraFuturity, comments, "It is often said that designing for accessibility is designing for everyone. But with Auracast, designing for everyone will greatly improve accessibility for hard-of-hearing people. I fully expect many more venues will adopt Auracast for their mainstream appeal than would ever happen with hearing loops, including in multi-channel settings that are impossible for loops to support.”

So, is this the end of the T-coil? For now, we think not. The T-coil will likely still be in use for quite some time, mainly since it will take time for Auracast to become mainstream. To support this theory, GN and Signia have introduced models that feature Auracast and T-coils together (more details about these products are discussed below). Therefore, at least for the foreseeable future, if you can get a telecoil inside your hearing aids, it is a good idea to do so.

“The hearing loop is a solid solution. It works,” says Olsgaard. “People are very familiar with it. And if you ask me, don't take it away. Keep it. Maintain it. And the digital solutions we have here with Auracast allow you to go to the next level."

Sabin adds, “Auracast and the telecoil can and will coexist in locations for quite some time…Then it becomes the user—depending on their hearing device features, their preferences, and the use case—who can choose which capability ultimately best fits their needs in the location. But, that said, we do believe that Auracast is the next generation of assistive listening, and the benefits are very clear as to what you can do with the technology going forward in the future.”

Which devices support Auracast?

So, which hearing-related devices are currently Auracast-enabled, and how do you know? According to the FAQ section of the Auracast website, to enable Auracast broadcast audio, a product needs to be compatible with the features outlined in version 5.2 of the Bluetooth Core Specification (Bluetooth LE), along with the Public Broadcast Profile included in the LE Audio specifications. This rule applies to both the transmitter and the receiver, meaning they must both have compatibility with Auracast.

The new specifications allow for the upgradability of existing products, though whether upgrades occur will depend on the Bluetooth capabilities inherent in a device and the supplier’s product strategy. Certain Auracast transmitter categories such as TVs may require a hardware upgrade, and we should start to see various plug-and-play Auracast transmitter options that will allow support for Auracast broadcast audio to TVs and other Auracast transmitter product types.

In the near future, you will be able to search for products and check whether they support Auracast using a product database. Since products have just started coming onto the market, the “Find a Product” option is currently marked as Coming Soon. “As the product list starts to grow, we will turn on that database and start rolling products into it,” Sabin told HearingTracker.

Hearing aids, implants, and accessories currently equipped with Auracast

It’s safe to say that as Auracast becomes more mainstream, we can expect the introduction of new hearing aid models by various manufacturers incorporating the latest Bluetooth LE broadcast standard along with Auracast capability.

If you are considering investing in a new hearing aid, it’s worth checking the device specifications to take advantage of Auracast audio. This means that as it becomes more widely available, you won’t need to upgrade in a few years.

Currently, in the hearing aid realm, the following products support Auracast:

ReSound Nexia and Jabra Enhance 20 hearing aids: ReSound Nexia, ReSound’s newest premium line of hearing aids, not only offer improved hearing-in-noise and CROS/BiCROS capabilities but also run on Bluetooth LE audio, making them the first hearing aids in the world that allow for reception of Auracast broadcast audio. ReSound's sister company Jabra has also employed this Bluetooth LE and Auracast connectivity in its Jabra Enhance 20 receiver-in-ear (RIE) hearing aids found at Costco.

ReSound TV streamer+: Released simultaneously with Nexia is the Resound TV-Streamer+, which is compatible with Nexia and supports Bluetooth Auracast. This TV streamer transmits high-quality sound with speech clarity directly to your hearing aids at the volume level of your choice. If there are multiple users with compatible hearing aids and smartphones in the room, you can experience audio together by each connecting to the TV-Streamer+. ReSound expects this small device will also eventually serve as a transceiver (audio transmitter and receiver).

Signia Integrated Xperience (IX) hearing aids: Signia reports its Integrated Xperience (IX) hearing aids, with New Speech Enhancement Technology, are Auracast-ready, meaning they have the necessary hardware and require only a future firmware update to activate Auracast.  

Oticon Intent and Philips 50 hearing aids: In February 2024, Oticon launched its latest flagship hearing aids, Oticon Intent, “the world’s first hearing aid with 4D Sensor technology to understand each user’s listening intentions and seamlessly support individual listening needs.” Intent also features a Bluetooth LE and Auracast™-ready technology. Borrowing from this technology, Oticon's sister brand Philips has incorporated this same wireless technology into its Philips HearLink 50 series hearing aids, and we anticipate this will soon find its way into Costco hearing centers.

Cochlear Nucleus 8 Sound Processor. Cochlear's Nucleus^® 8 Sound Processor is reported to be Bluetooth LE Auracast ready. This shouldn't be too surprising, since Cochlear and GN ReSound have an established corporate agreement called the “Smart Hearing Alliance” that allows for sharing of technology and products. The implementation of Bluetooth LE in N8 means these cochlear implant users will have the option of both telecoil or Auracast technologies.

Hearables and related consumer devices with Auracast

Auracast is finding its way into several hearables and hearing wearables, loosely defined as audio devices with hearing aid-like functionality. Additionally, we are now starting to see Auracast-enabled TVs and transmitters including the following:

Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro and Samsung S23 Ultra smartphone: Users can use their S23 Ultra smartphone with the Galaxy Buds2 Pro to scan and listen to Auracast broadcast audio. Additionally, they can turn these devices into a shared radio station to broadcast across connected devices. Additionally, some Samsung Smart TVs (specifically Samsung Neo QLED 8K and MICRO LED) are also equipped for Auracast.

Nexum VOCE: The Nexum VOCE is said to be the world’s first Auracast-capable Bluetooth transceiver (audio transmitter and receiver) with LE Audio. With this small wireless device, you can quickly set up an Auracast station and broadcast high-quality audio to an unlimited number of receivers simultaneously, covering a range of over 98 feet (30 meters). VOCE provides digital and analog interfaces that allow any type of device, including traditional music players (CD/iPod/TAPE/TV), to be upgraded to support Auracast.

AURI assistive listening system utilizing Auracast: Listen Technologies Corporation, a leading provider of advanced wireless listening solutions, and Ampetronic, a leading provider of audio induction loop systems, have developed AURI, reportedly the first complete solution to let venues and end users adopt Auracast broadcast audio technology. The new solution looks like a Wi-Fi access point and includes networked installation transmitters for multi-channel broadcasts for any size space, with the option for open or secure transmission. The system includes dedicated receivers and charging bases.

A video about the AURI Auracast broadcast solution produced by Listen Technologies and Ampetronic. Closed captions are available on this video. If you are using a mobile phone, please enable captions clicking on the gear icon.

Microsoft Operating System: Windows 11 supports Bluetooth LE. Microsoft's latest operating system fully complies with Auracast specifications and supports hearing aids equipped with Bluetooth LE Audio.

MoerLab transmitter and transceiver. The MoerLink Bluetooth 5.3 Auracast Transmitter and MoerDuo Transceiver are available on Amazon at this writing for a bundled price of $95.

Device compatibility

But will devices from different manufacturers be compatible? “The great thing about standards is that everyone moves and works towards that same standard. So, interoperability is built into standardization by default,” says Sabin.

Ballavia decided to find out if this was really the case. In this demonstration, he tests this theory by connecting a ReSound TV Streamer+ to his television and tuning in with his Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro earphones. He does so with ease—hopefully, a positive sign of things to come in the realm of future Auracast-enabled products.

Limitations of Auracast

So, this is all great, but nothing is perfect, right? Here are some limitations of Auracast:

New tech is hard to find right now. As you can tell from the above discussion, one of the key limitations of Auracast at the moment is it requires both an Auracast-enabled transmitter and receiver. Because the technology is so new, there aren't many yet. This is due to change; however, we think the widespread adoption of Auracast could be a slow, gradual process. Bellavia has noted that competition between different venues like sports bars, movie theaters, sporting events, and other businesses seeking to elevate their customers' experiences will largely drive Auracast's implementation.

Education and demand. Not many consumers or proprietors know about Auracast, how to implement it, or how useful it is. This, too, will take time. In some respects, it's a chicken-or-egg problem: you need more venues to start offering Auracast broadcasts to demonstrate how useful it is for their customers, and you need customers to start asking for Auracast for more venues to adopt and offer it.

Range. According to a Bluetooth SIG FAQ, a single Auracast transmitter can reach an area of 30,000 square feet, depending on the transmitter's power and antenna design. That would equate to a radius of about 33 yards (30 meters) from the transmitter. However, at a recent Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) Convention some people reported they could hear the demonstration broadcasts at ranges up to about 100 yards. It is possible, of course, to cover larger areas using several transmitters, but the point is there are physical limits to the range of Auracast transmissions.

Looking to the future

It’s still early days for the implementation of Auracast, and the jury remains out on how long it will take for Auracast to become fully mainstream. A 2022 market research report from Bluetooth entitled LE Audio: The Future of Bluetooth Audio predicted that, rather than a static uniform transition towards LE Audio-only devices, LE Audio will likely integrate into the existing Bluetooth audio market as part of the broader innovation in the audio landscape over the next 5-10 years.

Hearing Tracker believes that Auracast is tremendously exciting for hearing healthcare and the general consumer. There’s expected to be a steady stream of new innovative products using Auracast. Please bookmark this page and visit it periodically for updates to find out more about new Auracast-enabled products for hearing aids, hearables, and cochlear implants!