IEC 60118-17 (in preparation): assistive listening system for hearing aid users based on 2.4 GHz audio streaming

Summary

The coming IEC standard for assistive listening systems that broadcast streaming audio to hearing aids in the 2.4 GHz ISM band.

Key findings

• Scope covers hearing aids as receivers, the properties of the broadcast transmitters, methods to verify that the system performs properly, and a method to measure a transmitter's coverage.
• Applies to single-transmitter systems only.
• Will specify the average and peak audio signal levels to be transmitted for hearing aid purposes.
• The TC 29 page lists the project with the date November 2027; the page does not say what the date marks.

Limits

Scope text only; draft content and limits are not public. The page is undated; its private copy fetched on 13 October 2026 was checked for the timeline audit on that date.

Read the original

tc29.iec.ch/tc-activity/standards-under-preparation

Link checked 13 October 2026. We link to the original and do not host copies.

Cited in

• How far does one transmitter really reach in a full room?Partly answered
• 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
• What signal strength is enough at the farthest seat?Open
• What audio level should the stream carry: -35 dBFS or louder?Disputed
• Auracast, hearing loop, infrared, RF or Wi-Fi: which suits which room?Disputed
• How do many transmitters share one broadcast across a large venue?Open
• What commissioning tests and pass limits will the standards require?Open
• Will equipment bought today meet the standards that follow?Open
• Should a venue keep its hearing loop when it adds Auracast, and can one system serve both?Partly answered

Cite this source

The original gives no date, so the citation says “n.d.”. The accessed date is when this library last checked the link; use the date you read it. To point readers to this summary instead, link to https://assistivelisteningknowledgebase.org/evidence/iec-60118-17/

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