Easy advocacy tools will encourage Auracast Advocates

The need for Auracast advocacy is real: “Ultimately, this isn’t just about the technology. It’s about the people – people who deserve to hear clearly, to participate fully and to feel included in every experience. Advocacy is how we connect that promise of Auracast with the places where it can have the greatest impact.”

That’s the view of Avi Negrin, senior marketing manager at the Bluetooth SIG.

He knows that Auracast has the power to transform how people connect to the world around them. The challenge is awareness: many venues and decision makers don’t know about the technology yet.

“That’s where advocacy comes in: Each of us has a role to play in bridging that gap,” he said during an Auracast Advocates training seminar held to help people understand how they can spread awareness of the new way to share audio.

As a reader of Aurahear.co.uk, chances are you are already familiar with Auracast but just in case… it uses Bluetooth LE Audio codecs found in Bluetooth 5.2 and upwards to transmit sound directly to any compatible device. That includes headphones, earbuds, hearing aids and cochlear.

Auracast allows venues such as theatres, classrooms, lecture halls, conferences, places of worship and sports stadiums to Auracast the sound from a transmitter to an unlimited number of devices. The end user picks up the audio by using an Auracast Assistant app, usually on their mobile device. This is a gatekeeper, not an intermediate transmitter: the sound goes directly from the Auracast transmitter to the listening device paired to the Assistant app.

A significant advantage is the sound quality: it is clear. This has advantages when sharing audio in noisy environments such as railway stations, pubs, or gyms.

But right now, few venues have installed it, and even fewer gadgets on the market come with it as standard. This means people aren’t aware of it. Hence the need for advocacy.

Auracast is gaining momentum

There are currently more than 115 different Auracast-enabled products on the market, both receivers and transmitters. Additional products are coming all the time, and Bluetooth has set up a website to detail the products and the places where Auracast is installed: Bluetooth.com/Auracast

“The momentum is real, adoption is growing every month, and this is no longer a future concept: Auracast is happening today,” Avi said.

An advantage for Auracast is the way it standardises how hearing technology connects with the wider world. There are two different standards for connecting hearing devices to phones: Apple has Made for iPhone, while Android devices use ASHA. A third, Bluetooth Classic, is also used by some hearing aid manufacturers.

“Interoperability was variable, not a guarantee and this limited the selections and options available,” Avi said. “Bluetooth LE Audio brings with it a standardised way for hearing instruments to stream audio, bringing true interoperability and greater selection and access.

“We are excited for the performance improvements LE Audio will bring to all Bluetooth devices and extremely excited for the standardisation of hearing aids and the emergence of Auracast audio. We believe it will enable the next generation of assistive listening in public spaces in many different varieties.”

If Auracast is the future – and we believe it is – its success depends on advocacy. That is people who are willing to talk about it, demonstrate it, and demand it in their own communities.

Why Auracast matters

Avi explained some of the benefits for Auracast in both private and public spaces, describing the technology as powerful.

“Instead of pairing one device to another, a single source can now transmit audio to an unlimited number of in-range devices,” he said. “Anyone with Auracast-enabled earbuds, headphones, hearing aids or speakers can tune in instantly and directly.

“Auracast is becoming a standard feature in countless Bluetooth audio devices we all use every day. Any company that builds Bluetooth audio devices can choose to enable it, and many already are.”

This flexible approach means Auracast supports multi-channel, multi-stream audio with low latency and high-quality sound.

“This isn’t limited to music or speech,” Avi said. “It’s built for everything from live announcements to personal entertainment to assistive listening, and importantly, it offers both open broadcasts and private, password-protected ones.”

So, announcements can be made in public spaces, while a theatre or cinema can offer an Audio Description Auracast, and conferences can offer simultaneous translations into multiple languages.

Avi said there is a human side to this, and for someone with hearing loss, using Auracast in public spaces can be life-changing. That could be announcements at railway stations or airports, sitting in a bar and wanting to hear what is being said on the TV, or travelling with friends and you all want to listen to the same music at the same time – it means the end of sharing ear buds.

“Instead of relying on clunky, specialised equipment that venues must manage and people often hesitate to use, they can simply use their own personal device, their own hearing aid, their own earbuds, their own phone that’s direct-to-ear audio,” he said.

“But it’s not just about accessibility. Imagine being at a gym and streaming the TV above the treadmill directly to your earbuds or being in a stadium and choosing which language commentary you want to hear in real-time.

“That is what we mean by redefining access: Auracast is delivering new, inclusive and often life-changing experiences not just for people with hearing loss, but for everyone.”

Why Auracast advocacy matters

“The opportunity in front of us is huge. Auracast can dramatically enhance accessibility, improve audio quality and elevate visitor experiences in both private and public spaces, whether it’s a theatre, a house of worship, a university or a stadium,” Avi said.

“The ability to deliver direct-to-ear audio has the power to transform how people connect to the world around them.

“Here’s the challenge: awareness.

“Many venues and decision makers simply don’t know about this technology yet. Others may have heard of it, but don’t understand how easy it is to enable or the real difference it can make for their audiences. That is where advocacy comes in.

“Each of us has a role to play in bridging that gap, in sparking awareness and helping venues understand the value of Auracast.”

Avi said Bluetooth SIG has created a range of tools to support people wanting to introduce Auracast to those who can help make installations of transmitters possible. They include guides that will help with the practical steps when preparing for conversations, including questions that people may have, and real-world success stories.

He urged people to first learn the basics of Auracast, including its features and benefits, and the devices it is compatible with: “The more comfortable you are with the fundamentals, the easier it will be to explain them in a way that resonates with others.”

Avi’s second tip is to know the venue as every location is different. Knowing who to approach, and what systems they already have in place will help.

When it comes to contacting for advocacy, Avi says the Bluetooth SIG’s online materials will help with presentations, checklists and conversation guides. Among this is advice to highlight that while Auracast benefits those with hearing loss, it can enhance the experience for everyone.

“Advocacy isn’t just about giving a one-time pitch; it’s about preparation, listening and building relationships that help venues see the value of Auracast and take the next step towards adoption,” Avi said.

“To make advocacy easier, we have launched a dedicated Auracast Advocacy resources hub. It has a wide range of ready-to-use tools and guidance in one place; it’s designed to give you exactly what you need to start conversations with venues and decision makers.

“It’s also open access so anyone can use it. You don’t need a membership. You don’t need special permissions if you’re interested in advocating for Auracast; the tools are right there for you.”

That includes tailored guides to specific venue types, such as stadiums, theatres, and places of worship, as well as areas where Auracast has already been installed, so people can have confidence that Auracast will work in a similar setting.

Avi promised that it would be easy to use and regularly updated with new examples and resources, meaning it will continue to grow as more Auracast deployments are rolled out.

“You can walk into a meeting with a venue and show them exactly how Auracast applies to their environment with tailored examples, proven benefits and success stories that mirror their world. That makes the conversation not just easier, but compelling.”