Auracast - The New Technology For Assisted Hearing

Bluetooth LE Audio is a new specification recently released by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) that promises to revolutionise Bluetooth audio quality with ‘Auracast’ devices - a new wireless audio technology built on Bluetooth. The new technology has the potential to drive better sound quality and reduce latency, making it especially attractive for people with hearing loss attending concerts and live music events, as well as for private gaming and video applications. Let’s explore what Bluetooth LE Audio is, how it works, and why this new technology could be an important tool in addressing quality-of-life support for people with hearing loss. 

What Is Bluetooth LE Audio? 

Bluetooth LE Audio (Low Energy Audio) enables a new class of broadcast technology called Auracast. Auracast provides hearing aid users with enhanced reliability and, overall, a better-quality listening experience when using wireless audio products such as headphones or hearing assistance technology –when attending live events, visiting retail environments or in airports and train stations. The key feature that makes Auracast stand out from other wireless audio technologies is its ability to simultaneously broadcast multiple streams of audio over one connection, allowing many people to
listen at the same time without any drop in sound quality. 

What Are The Capabilities Of Bluetooth LE Audio? 

The Bluetooth LE Audio standards provide capabilities that allow manufacturers to create high-end audio products without sacrificing sound or performance quality. These features include support for advanced LC3 codec, multi-streaming of up to 8 channels per connection, higher quality at the same bandwidth or lower bandwidth at the same audio quality, low power consumption for extended battery life, and more secure connections compared to older Bluetooth standards.

How Does Auracast Improve Audio Performance At Live Events? 

Auracast enables a more immersive higher quality concert experience for people with hearing loss than previous technologies . To start with, Auracast enabled devices offer compatibility with higher bitrate codec LC3, which enables clearer and better sound transmission than the standard SBC codec found in older Bluetooth devices – with fewer interruptions, too. 

Additionally, its low power capabilities means lower bandwidth use for the same audio quality, meaning that battery life can be extended by up to four times compared to older Bluetooth devices while still delivering the same audio quality, letting users experience a full event without worrying about their device battery running low. And finally, Auracast’s multi-streaming capability allows users to share music and engage with friends and family members connecting phones and media devices seamlessly. 

This makes Auracast perfect for large scale events and concerts in which multiple users require access to the same content simultaneously, and enjoy an experience unhindered by poor connection speeds or the lack of range typical of older wireless technologies. 

A Better Concert Experience For Auracast Hearing Aid Users

With the public availability of Auracast, consumers and manufacturers alike will benefit from diverse product options, along with enhanced user experience when using wireless audio products at live music and sporting events. This straightforward advance in technology will boost inclusion and reduce the frustration sometimes experienced by people with hearing loss when attending public events.

Next Steps

Nextgen offer managed automated testing services or automated testing products available to buy, designed to speed up the testing of products. Please contact us today for more information on how we can help with the testing of Auracast products.