Summary
HLAA's explainer on Auracast for consumers and venues, including its reading of how the ADA applies and advice on stream quality settings.
Key findings
- The compatibility FAQ asks how to tell whether a hearing device supports Auracast, and directs readers to model documentation, their provider or the manufacturer. It distinguishes enabled devices from ready devices awaiting an update; it does not verify individual models.
- What makes Auracast different? describes broadcast reception without conventional pairing and presents direct reception through compatible hearing devices as more discreet than collecting, wearing and returning extra equipment. This is advocacy guidance without a listener sample.
- States that the ADA does not approve or reject particular hearing technologies. It requires venues to provide an assistive listening system that meets its legal and technical standards, so in HLAA's view a well-planned Auracast deployment can meet those obligations.
- States that "there is no such thing as an ADA-compliant assistive listening technology": the ADA does not classify technologies, and the question is whether a venue's deployment meets its legal and technical standards.
- Notes that the 2010 ADA Standards name loop, infrared and FM only as examples, and that using a named technology does not by itself satisfy the ADA.
- Explains that hearing aids and cochlear implants use standard-quality streams (speech, low latency, low power). High-quality streams have more delay and are not interchangeable, so a product that broadcasts only high quality will not work with hearing devices. It asks venues to confirm that a standard-quality stream is configured.
- Advises people buying hearing devices now to ask for a model with both Auracast and a telecoil, and expects loop, FM, infrared and Wi-Fi systems to stay in use for some time.
- States that a phone or smartwatch is needed to select a stream, and that receivers with neckloops or headphones are needed for hearing devices without Auracast.
Limits
A living web page (first published 3 December 2025; read as updated 28 September 2026) giving HLAA's interpretation, not legal advice or measurements. The webinar linked from the page was presented with a transmitter manufacturer (Ampetronic/Listen Technologies).
Read the original
www.hearingloss.org/technology-and-accessibility/auracast
Cited in
- Which hearing devices can receive which systems?Open
- Which systems satisfy the ADA and building codes, and does a listener's own phone count?Disputed
- Auracast, hearing loop, infrared, RF or Wi-Fi: which suits which room?Disputed
- How many receivers and neckloops does each code require, and how should a loan pool be run?Partly answered
- How do listeners find and join the right broadcast?Open
- How many listeners carry a telecoil, an Auracast-capable device or a smartphone?Disputed
- What do listeners prefer, and how often do they use venue systems?Partly answered
- Should a venue keep its hearing loop when it adds Auracast, and can one system serve both?Partly answered
- What reaches a cochlear implant user in a venue, and how well?Partly answered
- Do neckloops give telecoil users good sound from FM, infrared, Wi-Fi and Auracast receivers?Not reliable yet
Cite this source
Hearing Loss Association of America. Auracast Systems (technology and accessibility page). Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA). 28 September 2026. https://www.hearingloss.org/technology-and-accessibility/auracast/ (accessed 13 October 2026).
Every finding here cites its source, and who funded each source is labelled. This site does not recommend products. Found an error or a missing study? Suggest a correction.