Auracast and Hearing Accessibility: A New Era of Inclusive Audio

How Auracast™ Is Creating a More Inclusive Audio World

Published by NEXUM | Category: Accessibility | Tags: Auracast, Hearing Accessibility, Hearing Aids, LE Audio, Inclusive Technology

For the 1.5 billion people worldwide living with some degree of hearing loss, everyday audio experiences can be a constant struggle. From missing announcements at airports to straining to follow conversations in noisy restaurants, the world’s audio infrastructure was simply not designed with hearing accessibility in mind.

Auracast™ broadcast audio is changing that — and it may be the most significant advancement in hearing accessibility since the cochlear implant.

The Current State of Hearing Accessibility

Today’s hearing accessibility solutions are fragmented and limited. Hearing loop systems (telecoil) require expensive permanent installation and only work in equipped venues. FM systems need dedicated receivers. And standard Bluetooth only connects to one or two devices, making it impractical for public audio sharing.

The result? Most public spaces offer no hearing assistance at all.

What Auracast™ Changes

Auracast™ is a feature of Bluetooth LE Audio that enables one-to-many audio broadcasting. A single transmitter can broadcast audio to an unlimited number of receivers — including hearing aids, cochlear implant processors, and standard earbuds — without any pairing required.

This means any venue can offer hearing-accessible audio with nothing more than a compact transmitter like the NEXUM VOCE+.

Key Benefits for Hearing Accessibility

• Direct-to-Hearing-Aid Streaming: As hearing aids adopt LE Audio support, users can receive Auracast™ broadcasts directly — no intermediary equipment needed
• Boost Mode (+3dB): The NEXUM VOCE+ includes a dedicated Boost Mode that adds +3dB gain, providing clearer, amplified audio for users with hearing needs
• No Infrastructure Required: Unlike hearing loops, Auracast™ works with a single portable transmitter
• Universal Access: Anyone with compatible earbuds or hearing aids can tune in
• Privacy and Dignity: Users receive audio privately through their own personal devices

Real-World Accessibility Scenarios

Public Transportation

Airport gate announcements, train station alerts, and bus route information broadcast via Auracast™ directly to passengers’ hearing aids and earbuds. No more missing critical travel information.

Healthcare Settings

Doctors’ offices can broadcast important information directly to patients’ hearing devices, ensuring medical instructions are clearly received.

Houses of Worship

Churches, temples, and mosques can broadcast services to all attendees, replacing expensive hearing loop systems with a single VOCE+ transmitter.

Museums and Cultural Venues

Audio guides broadcast directly to visitors’ personal devices, making cultural experiences accessible to everyone.

Everyday Conversations

In noisy restaurants, a VOCE+ placed near the speaker can broadcast their voice directly to a family member’s hearing aids, cutting through background noise.

VOCE+ and Hearing Accessibility

The NEXUM VOCE+ is uniquely suited for hearing accessibility. Its Boost Mode (+3dB gain) provides the extra amplification that users with hearing needs require, while the compact design means it can be deployed anywhere. Simply switch from Normal Mode to Boost Mode and the audio signal is enhanced for clearer reception.

The Bigger Picture

Auracast™ represents a shift from treating hearing accessibility as a special accommodation to building it into everyday technology. As the ecosystem grows, the world becomes a more inclusive place for everyone.

Learn how VOCE+ can make your space more accessible. Explore VOCE+ →