(2 pages) New technologies are under development in the assistive listening sector which aim to create alternative listening experiences in public places for those with hearing loss.
Auracast Bluetooth is an emerging technology that is intended to give everyone listening to broadcast sound a personalised experience. Assuming that it works properly, it will require the development and sale of large numbers of Auracast equipped hearing aids and Auracast broadcast transmitters before it will be an effective alternative to existing technology such as hearing loops and telecoils.
While loops are a well-established technology, with a more than 70-year history, that doesn’t mean they are outdated. This needs to be recognised within the assistive listening industry where references to loops as being ‘old’ technology are neither helpful nor accurate and risk limiting access to information and entertainment for end users.
