Wireless Audio Connectivity

Stylized picture of digital audio
Wireless Audio Connectivity

When hearing devices struggle in noisy, reverberant, or distant environments, a direct wireless connection between the hearing device and the sound source can help. A direct connection bypasses environmental factors, improving sound quality, speech understanding, and listening comfort. 

How can I be sure my hearing devices work with technologies that use wireless audio connectivity, such as smartphones and assistive listening devices? How user friendly are these technologies? The Wireless Audio Connectivity group explores Bluetooth Auracast, hearing loops, remote microphones, telecoils, and other technologies, as well as their availability, use, and quality. 

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Group Content

News releases

FCC Announces Domestic Abuse Survivors May Get Discounted Phone Services

On September 10, 2024, the FCC announced that survivors of domestic abuse can get discounted phone, internet, or bundled services through the FCC’s Lifeline program. Survivors can now make a request with their service provider to separate their mobile phone lines from family plans where the abuser is on the account. Impacted survivors experiencing financial hardship can also receive up to six…

Webpages/Websites

Guide to Available Assistive Listening Technologies

The International Hearing Loop Manufacturers Association (IHLMA) created a guide to and comparison of Available Assistive Listening Technologies (2021). In the guide, IHLMA notes: “People with hearing loss of all levels, frequently exhibit a disproportionate amount of difficulty understanding speech in the presence of noise. This is especially the case in situations where desired speech signals…

Discussion

Consumers lack information to access effective communication

PR is needed to educate consumers about Assistive Listening Systems. The following was just posted on a forum I follow which is an example of story showing the needs of consumers: “I bought a pair of Resound Omnia hearing aids about 6 months ago.I would describe my hearing loss as between mild to moderate and dont wear them all he time.When I do wear them it is listening to a speaker in an…

Articles/Blog posts

Auracast and the Evolution of the Earbud Case

In this blog post, Nick Hunn discusses how the lowly earbud case is becoming "smart," and how the deployment of Auracast could play a role in this evolution. Nick Hunn is a self-described technology strategist and wireless evangelist. He also chairs the Hearing Aid Working Group in the Bluetooth SIG.