Evaluation of the first generation of Auracast-compatible transmitters, hearing aids and earbuds

Summary

Measured streaming latency across combinations of Auracast transmitters with hearing aids and earbuds, and output level across transmitter and earbud combinations.

Key findings

• Latency varied widely between transmitter and receiver combinations. Every measured latency exceeded the 25-40 ms target range that the authors attribute to the Bluetooth SIG, and some exceeded 80 ms. Earbuds were generally much slower than hearing aids.
• Output level, measured on a KEMAR manikin with speech-shaped noise, varied widely between transmitter-earbud pairs, and the effect of a volume change depended on which device's volume (audio source, transmitter or earbud) was changed.

Limits

Conference synopsis; device models, number of devices and full data not listed. Output level was measured with earbuds only, not hearing aids.

Read the original

centerforhearingaccess.org/wp-content/uploads/IHCON-Synopsis-Bruce-Evaluation-of-the-first-generation-of-Auracast-compatible-transmitters-hearing-aids-and-Earbuds-August-2026.pdf

Link checked 9 October 2026. We link to the original and do not host copies.

Cited in

• Should the Auracast stream be delayed to line up with the loudspeakers?Open
• Which hearing devices can receive which systems?Open
• What audio level should the stream carry: -35 dBFS or louder?Disputed
• Can people without hearing aids benefit from venue systems through earbuds, headphones or their phones?Partly answered

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