Which systems satisfy the ADA and building codes, and does a listener's own phone count?

Why it matters

The US ADA Standards and the model building codes reviewed for the US, Canada and Australia require assistive listening in many assembly spaces^1,2,3,4. Whether a technology counts, and whether listeners' own phones and hearing devices can take the place of loan receivers, decides how much equipment a venue has to buy, keep and lend, and whether it needs a second system. Model codes take effect through adoption by the relevant government, so the edition in force must be checked^2,3,4.

What the evidence shows

What the US rules require

• What the Standards require. The 2010 ADA Standards require an assistive listening system in each assembly area where audible communication is integral to the use of the space, except outside courtrooms where no audio amplification is provided. They set receiver numbers by seating capacity in Table 219.3 with at least 25%, and no fewer than two, hearing-aid compatible, set performance limits in section 706, and require signs¹.
• Which technologies the Standards describe. They define an assistive listening system by its means of transmission (induction loop, radio frequency, infrared or direct-wired equipment), and their advisory notes describe hard-wired systems and three wireless types: induction loop, infrared and FM¹. They do not mention Bluetooth, Auracast or Wi-Fi¹.
• Alternatives are allowed, with the burden on the venue. Section 103 allows other designs, products or technologies that give "substantially equivalent or greater accessibility and usability". Its advisory says the venue must demonstrate this if challenged and that, outside transit facilities, there is "no process for certifying that an alternative design provides equivalent facilitation"¹. A maker's guide to the law lists Wi-Fi as a fourth wireless type and points to section 103 as the route for technologies the advisory does not name⁵.
• Hearing-aid compatibility still means telecoils. Receivers that must be hearing-aid compatible have to work with telecoils through neckloops, and the hearing-aid-compatible minimum is dropped only where an induction loop serves every seat^1,6. The total number of receivers in Table 219.3 still applies in a fully looped room^1,5. The Center for Hearing Access explains the exception as the telecoil being the receiver⁷.
• The model building code. The 2024 International Building Code makes the same loop exception, allows receivers to be pooled across rooms under one management, and does not mention Bluetooth or Auracast². ICC A117.1-2017, which it references, sets the same performance limits as the ADA for every system and requires induction loops, where provided, to meet IEC 60118-4⁸.
• A state law that requires loops. In Minnesota, no state contract or grant from appropriations enacted after 1 January 2017 may fund building or renovating a public gathering space for 15 or more people that has or will have a permanent audio amplification system unless the project includes audio-induction loops⁹. The statute text names no performance standard for the loops, and the state commission says it has no data on projects that followed the law⁹.
• A separate duty to communicate effectively. The ADA Title III regulation lists assistive listening systems among the aids a business must provide where needed for effective communication, in a way that protects the person's privacy and independence; the business should consult the person, but makes the final choice provided the aid is effective¹⁰. The Center for Hearing Access notes that this duty also reaches places without a public address system, such as service counters and meeting rooms⁷.

Who says which systems meet the ADA

• Hearing loops, FM and infrared. These are the systems the Standards' definition and advisory notes describe¹. The Center for Hearing Access lists them, with direct-wired equipment, as the "Four recognized by the ADA"⁷. HLAA notes that the Standards name loop, infrared and FM only as examples, and that using a named technology does not by itself satisfy the ADA¹¹. A maker's article on its infrared system states that it "Meets ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements"¹².
• Rooms that need privacy. The ADA's advisory says infrared is typically a better choice than FM where confidential transmission matters, and FM may be better than infrared in some open-air assemblies because infrared is less effective in sunlight¹. A 2006 Access Board advisory committee recommended infrared for courtrooms and said FM may be used in jury orientation rooms but not jury deliberation rooms, because its signal passes through walls; these are best-practice recommendations, not regulation¹³.
• Auracast: the SIG's position. Asked whether Auracast is "ADA compliant", the Bluetooth SIG's FAQ answers "Absolutely" and states that Auracast is "fully recognized as a compliant ALS technology under the ADA"; the FAQ cites no ruling by a US agency¹⁴.
• Auracast: HLAA's position. HLAA states that "there is no such thing as an ADA-compliant assistive listening technology": the ADA does not approve or reject particular technologies, and a well-planned Auracast deployment can meet a venue's ADA obligations¹¹.
• Auracast: the Center for Hearing Access's position. It says it is too soon to say whether installations can meet a given country's disability laws, partly because IEC 60118-17 is not expected until late 2027¹⁵. Its October 2025 guide lists Auracast's standing against the ADA standard as "under investigation"¹⁶, and its ADA page lists Auracast and audio over Wi-Fi as "Other" systems with the note "Buyer beware"⁷.
• Audio over Wi-Fi: makers' claims. Sennheiser's statement opens "Sennheiser MobileConnect is compliant to the 'Assistive Listening Systems' requirements" of the 2010 Standards, and proposes that Wi-Fi streaming to smart devices form "a new (fourth) subclass" of wireless system, "Digital Communication Systems"¹⁷. Williams AV's 2020 press release calls its WaveCAST series "the first-ever ADA compliant Wi-Fi assisted listening system"¹⁸. Neither cites a ruling or guidance from the Department of Justice or the Access Board^17,18.
• Audio over Wi-Fi: the Center for Hearing Access's position. The Center for Hearing Access states that "There is no known product that meets the ADA" for audio over Wi-Fi¹⁹, and adds on its ADA page that latency is problematic⁷.

Listeners' own phones and hearing devices

• The US rules count receivers the venue provides. Section 219.3 requires receivers that meet section 706.2, which calls for a 1/8 inch standard mono jack, to be provided in each assembly area in the numbers Table 219.3 sets¹.
• Wi-Fi makers still advise lending receivers. Sennheiser says the Table 219.3 receivers remain mandatory and recommends meeting the requirement with venue phones that have the app preinstalled and Wi-Fi set up, plus neckloops or wired headphones¹⁷. Williams AV attaches its ADA claim to users who prefer not to install the app on their own devices or who want dedicated receivers¹⁸.
• A trade body's view. IAHA, an industry association whose members include manufacturers, states that a venue "cannot guarantee compliance with ADA Table 219.3" if listeners are expected to bring their own devices. It lists smartphone access among Wi-Fi's limitations, stating that "A significant segment of the demographic do not have a smartphone", and advises venues to provide alternative receivers for those without one²⁰.
• Auracast and listeners' own devices. HLAA 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 Auracast¹¹. The Center for Hearing Access expects receivers with neckloops to be needed for the foreseeable future because extremely few hearing aid users have Auracast, and advises that any system needing a QR code, an app or extra devices will leave some people out¹⁶.
• An Australian standard addresses phones directly. The published contents of AS 1428.5:2021 list "Public wi-fi system and mobile/cellular network" among receiver system types and include an appendix heading "Why mobile phones are not suitable as receivers"; the reasoning is in the paid text²¹.
• Smartphone ownership falls with age. In an independent 2025 survey of 5,022 US adults by Pew Research Center, whose primary funder is The Pew Charitable Trusts, 91% of US adults owned a smartphone, against 78% of those aged 65 and older; the survey gives no figures for people with hearing loss²².

Other countries

• Canada. The model code requires assistive listening in classrooms, auditoria, meeting rooms and theatres larger than 100 m² in assembly buildings, and at least one service counter at each public-service location in assembly buildings must have an assistive listening system or adaptive technology. Its explanatory note gives FM, infrared and loops as examples and says other types "could be considered"; the code sets no receiver count³.
• England. The official guidance names induction loop, infrared and radio as the systems commonly used and points to BS 8300 for detail; it sets no receiver numbers²³. According to Theatreplan, a UK theatre consultancy, BS 8300 requires a system covering all audience areas, with provision for at least 4% of audience capacity in fixed-seat auditoria and at least 10% in flexible spaces; the standard itself is sold, and its text was not read²⁴.
• Australia. The National Construction Code requires a loop to serve at least 80% of the floor area served by the amplification system and a system that needs receivers to be available to at least 95% of that area, sets receiver numbers only for receiver systems, and does not say which kind Auracast is⁴. AS 1428.5:2021 sets design and testing requirements for loop, radio and infrared systems²¹.
• New Zealand. Audio loops can be a specified system (SS 12/1) on a building's compliance schedule. One council pair's form lists IEC 60118-4 and Australian and British editions of it as the installation standards, and sets inspections every six months by an independent qualified person, an on-site logbook covering the previous 24 months and an annual report; the national rules behind the form could not be read²⁵.
• European Union. EFHOH reports that the built-environment standard EN 17210:2021 defines assistive listening systems as direct wire, inductive loop, infrared, radio frequency or Wi-Fi, and leaves the choice to the application; EFHOH writes that loops are often recommended as the best solution, and the standard is being revised²⁶. The new European ICT accessibility standard, adopted on 24 August 2026, says connecting assistive listening devices by Bluetooth can contribute to its enhanced-audio requirement and still requires telecoil coupling for handsets held to the ear; it covers kiosks and devices, not room systems²⁷.
• A Swiss draft would require both. The July 2025 consultation draft of SIA 500 would require assistive listening systems to provide both Auracast and inductive transmission, with a minimum STI of 0.7, and allows infrared and FM where eavesdropping must be prevented; the draft states that it must not be applied until it is adopted²⁸.
• Signs differ by code. The ADA requires the International Symbol of Access for Hearing Loss¹. Australia requires a sign stating the type of system, the area covered and where to get receivers⁴. Canada accepts either international access symbol with information that makes the type of facility clear³. England asks for the standard symbol only for loop and infrared systems²³.

Trademarks and new standards

• Trademark terms are not accessibility rules. The SIG lets a venue use the Auracast marks only if it registers the location and offers a Standard Quality stream for all its Auracast audio; these licence terms do not assess coverage or audio quality²⁹.
• New international standards. IEC 63087:2026 covers all assistive listening systems, including 2.4 GHz broadcast, and its published contents include a clause titled "System compliance, testing and certification" and an assessment report³⁰. IEC 60118-17 for 2.4 GHz streaming to hearing aids is in preparation³¹. Loops already have a performance standard, IEC 60118-4, which ICC A117.1 calls up^32,8.

Where sources disagree

On Auracast, the SIG describes the technology itself as meeting the ADA¹⁴. HLAA disputes the premise of that claim while agreeing that a well-planned deployment can meet a venue's obligations¹¹, and the Center for Hearing Access describes the question as unresolved^15,33,16.

On audio over Wi-Fi, Sennheiser and Williams AV describe their systems as meeting the ADA^17,18, and Listen Technologies lists Wi-Fi as a fourth wireless type, pointing to equivalent facilitation⁵. The Center for Hearing Access knows of no Wi-Fi product that meets the ADA¹⁹, and IAHA says a venue "cannot guarantee compliance with ADA Table 219.3" if listeners are expected to bring their own devices²⁰.

The sources also read the law differently. The Center for Hearing Access treats four systems as recognised by the ADA and lists the others as "Other"⁷. HLAA treats the named systems as examples and holds that no technology meets the ADA by itself¹¹. The Standards allow equivalent alternatives; outside transit facilities, their advisory describes no approval process and leaves the venue to demonstrate equivalent accessibility and usability if challenged¹.

On listeners' own phones, Sennheiser proposes venue-owned phones with its app as the receivers the US table requires¹⁷, while the contents of Australia's AS 1428.5 include a heading on why mobile phones are not suitable as receivers²¹. The two apply in different countries, and the Australian reasoning is not public.

Among codes, the Swiss draft would require Auracast together with inductive transmission²⁸, and EFHOH reports that EN 17210 includes Wi-Fi in its definition²⁶. The ADA Standards and the Canadian, English and Australian building codes reviewed name no newer technology^1,3,23,4, while the contents of Australia's AS 1428.5 list public Wi-Fi among receiver system types²¹.

What would settle it

Guidance or rulings from the US Department of Justice or the Access Board on whether Auracast and Wi-Fi systems can serve as assistive listening systems under section 103, and on whether loaned or personal phones can count as the receivers Table 219.3 requires. Future editions of ICC A117.1 and EN 17210, and the final SIA 500 that name these technologies or set performance requirements for them. Adoption of IEC 63087:2026 and IEC 60118-17 into codes, and equivalent decisions in other countries. A reading of the paid text of AS 1428.5 on why phones are not suitable as receivers, and of BS 8300 on how much provision it requires, which is known here only through a consultancy's summary^{1,8,26,28,30,31,21,24}.

Planning while it is open

• Meet the applicable receiver numbers, hearing-aid-compatible share and signage whatever the technology^1,4.
• Check state and local rules as well as national ones: Minnesota requires loops in state-funded gathering spaces with permanent amplification⁹, and two New Zealand councils' compliance schedule form sets six-monthly inspections and a logbook for loops²⁵.
• Under the ADA, provide the Table 219.3 receivers even where listeners can use their own phones or hearing devices, as Sennheiser and IAHA advise, including alternative receivers for people without a smartphone^1,17,20.
• Provide receivers with neckloops so telecoil users are served; where an induction loop serves every seat, only the hearing-aid-compatible share is waived, and the other receivers are still needed^1,6,5,15.
• Where a system relies on a technology the Standards do not describe, keep the evidence that it gives substantially equivalent or greater accessibility, because the venue must demonstrate this if challenged¹.
• Ask what a maker's claim that its system meets the ADA rests on: the claims reviewed cite no ruling or guidance from a US agency, and the Center for Hearing Access tells buyers to beware^14,17,18,7.
• In courtrooms and other rooms where confidentiality matters, consider infrared, as the ADA's advisory and the Access Board's courthouse committee suggest^1,13.
• Keep records against the assessment headings of the new standards, so a system can be re-assessed against the requirements of IEC 63087:2026 and of IEC 60118-17 once that is published^30,31.

Sources

1. 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. US Department of Justice. US Department of Justice (ada.gov), 15 September 2010. Government (US Department of Justice) ↩︎ https://www.ada.gov/law-and-regs/design-standards/2010-stds/
2. 2024 International Building Code, Chapter 11 Accessibility: 1109.2.7 Assistive listening systems and 1112.4 Other signs. International Code Council. International Code Council (ICC Digital Codes), August 2023. Standards body (International Code Council) ↩︎ https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IBC2024P1/chapter-11-accessibility
3. National Building Code of Canada 2025: assistive listening systems (Articles 3.8.2.9 and 3.8.3.19, Note A-3.8.3.19). Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes. National Research Council Canada, 22 December 2025. Government (National Research Council Canada) ↩︎ https://doi.org/10.4224/26fz-gg26
4. National Construction Code 2025, Volume One, Part D4: D4D7 Signage and D4D8 Hearing augmentation. Australian Building Codes Board. Australian Building Codes Board (NCC online), 1 May 2026. Government (Australian Building Codes Board) ↩︎ https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/editions/ncc-2025/adopted/volume-one/d-access-and-egress/part-d4-access-people-disability
5. Understanding the Assistive Listening Americans with Disabilities Act. Listen Technologies, 25 October 2023. Manufacturer (Listen Technologies, which sells RF/FM, infrared, hearing loop, Wi-Fi and Auracast assistive listening products; owned since February 2023 by Allvida, which also owns the hearing-loop maker Ampetronic) ↩︎ https://www.listentech.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/ADA-White-Paper-2023-10-25-vA1-WEB.pdf
6. Guidance on the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design (section "219 and 706 Assistive Listening Systems"). US Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division. ada.gov, 15 September 2010. Government (US Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division) ↩︎ https://www.ada.gov/law-and-regs/design-standards/standards-guidance/
7. ADA Standards for Assistive Listening Systems. Center for Hearing Access. Center for Hearing Access, The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts, undated (read 9 October 2026). Nonprofit advocacy (Center for Hearing Access, an initiative of The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts; it states that it accepts no donations from hearing-related vendors) ↩︎ https://centerforhearingaccess.org/ada-standards/
8. ICC A117.1-2017 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities, Section 706 Assistive Listening Systems. International Code Council. International Code Council (ICC Digital Codes), 2017. Standards body (International Code Council) ↩︎ https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/icca117-12017/chapter-7-communication-elements-and-features
9. Biennial exemptions report: Accommodation for hard-of-hearing in state-funded capital projects. Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing. Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing (report to the Minnesota Legislature, held by the Legislative Reference Library), 30 January 2024. Government (Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing, a state commission) ↩︎ https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2024/mandated/240302.pdf
10. 28 CFR 36.303: auxiliary aids and services (ADA Title III regulation). US Department of Justice. eCFR, 18 January 2017. Government (US Department of Justice) ↩︎ https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-28/section-36.303
11. Auracast Systems (technology and accessibility page). Hearing Loss Association of America. Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), 28 September 2026. Nonprofit advocacy (Hearing Loss Association of America, a US consumer organisation for people with hearing loss; its site asks for memberships and donations and lists corporate partners and advertising) ↩︎ https://www.hearingloss.org/technology-and-accessibility/auracast/
12. Why Use Infrared? The Unique Benefits of ListenIR for Privacy and Security. Listen Team (Listen Technologies). Listen Technologies (blog), 10 October 2025. Manufacturer (Listen Technologies, which sells the ListenIR products described as well as FM, hearing loop, Wi-Fi and Auracast systems) ↩︎ https://www.listentech.com/secure-infrared-assistive-listening-listenir/
13. Justice for All: Designing Accessible Courthouses (recommendations from the Courthouse Access Advisory Committee). Courthouse Access Advisory Committee. US Access Board, 15 November 2006. Government (US Access Board federal advisory committee of 35 members, among them the Hearing Loss Association of America, courts, architects, code bodies and disability groups) ↩︎ https://www.access-board.gov/ada/additional-resources/designing-accessible-courthouses.html
14. Auracast frequently asked questions. Bluetooth SIG, undated (read 13 October 2026). Trade body (Bluetooth SIG marketing material; the SIG is an industry association funded by its member companies and owns the Auracast trademark) ↩︎ https://www.bluetooth.com/auracast/faq/
15. "Worldwide Access" hearing instruments list. Center for Hearing Access (The John G. Shedd Institute). Center for Hearing Access, 11 September 2026. Nonprofit advocacy (Center for Hearing Access, an initiative of The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts; it states that it accepts no donations from hearing-related vendors) ↩︎ https://centerforhearingaccess.org/wp-content/uploads/Worldwide-Access-Hearing-Instruments-List.pdf
16. Assistive Listening Systems Quick Guide. Center for Hearing Access (reviewed by Juliette Sterkens, AuD). Center for Hearing Access, The John G. Shedd Institute, 29 October 2025. Nonprofit advocacy (Center for Hearing Access, an initiative of The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts; it states that it accepts no donations from hearing-related vendors) ↩︎ https://centerforhearingaccess.org/wp-content/uploads/Assistive-Listening-Systems-Quick-Guide.pdf
17. MobileConnect ADA Compliancy Statement. Sennheiser Streaming Technologies GmbH. Sennheiser, June 2021. Manufacturer (Sennheiser, maker of the MobileConnect Wi-Fi system) ↩︎ https://www.sennheiser.com/globalassets/digizuite/41165-en-mobileconnect_ada_compliancy_statement.pdf
18. NEW: Williams AV Releases WaveCAST 8 Multichannel Wi-Fi Assistive Listening Platform. Williams AV. Williams AV (press release), 4 February 2020. Manufacturer (Williams AV, maker of the WaveCAST Wi-Fi system described, which also sells FM, infrared, hearing loop and Auracast assistive listening products) ↩︎ https://williamsav.com/new-williams-av-releases-wavecast-8-multichannel-wi-fi-assistive-listening-platform/
19. Audio Over Wi-Fi Assistive Listening System. Center for Hearing Access. Center for Hearing Access, The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts, undated (read 9 October 2026). Nonprofit advocacy (Center for Hearing Access, an initiative of The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts; it asks for donations and states that it accepts none from hearing-related vendors) ↩︎ https://centerforhearingaccess.org/wi-fi/
20. Audio Over Wi-Fi Assistive Listening Systems. International Association for Hearing Accessibility (IAHA), undated (read 9 October 2026). Trade body (IAHA; its members include manufacturers of assistive listening technologies and other organisations that create or install assistive listening systems, as well as groups supporting people with hearing loss; its funding is not stated) ↩︎ https://iaha-global.com/assistive-listening-technologies/audio-over-wifi/
21. AS 1428.5:2021 Design for access and mobility, Part 5: Communication for people who are deaf or hearing impaired. Standards Australia. Standards Australia (Standards Store), 3 September 2021. Standards body (Standards Australia) ↩︎ https://store.standards.org.au/product/as-1428-5-2021
22. Mobile Fact Sheet. Pew Research Center, 20 November 2025. Independent (Pew Research Center is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts, its primary funder; the survey was conducted for the Center by SSRS) ↩︎ https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/mobile/
23. Approved Document M, Volume 2: buildings other than dwellings (2015 edition incorporating 2020 and 2024 amendments). UK Government. Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (GOV.UK), 30 September 2024. Government (UK Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government) ↩︎ https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66f6c5eec71e42688b65ee11/ADM__V2_with_2024_amendments.pdf
24. Assistive Listening - Demystified. Lerman K (Theatreplan). Theatreplan (news blog), 29 April 2025. Independent (Theatreplan, a UK theatre planning consultancy; written by its consultant Kit Lerman; no funding is stated) ↩︎ https://theatreplan.com/news/assistive-listening-demystified
25. SS 12/1 Audio loops: compliance schedule details for a building consent application (Form 2). Palmerston North City Council; Manawatu District Council. Palmerston North City Council and Manawatu District Council, Building Services (New Zealand), undated (read 9 October 2026). Government (two New Zealand district councils acting as building consent authorities) ↩︎ https://www.pncc.govt.nz/files/assets/public/v/2/documents/building-amp-property/specified-systems-forms/ss-12.1.pdf
26. EU standard for hearing access in the built environment. European Federation of Hard of Hearing People (EFHOH). EFHOH, 14 March 2024. Nonprofit advocacy (European federation of hard of hearing people's organisations; its site states that its 2024-2026 publications are co-funded by the EU CERV programme) ↩︎ https://efhoh.org/2024/03/eu-standard-for-hearing-access-in-the-built-environment/
27. EN 301 549 V4.1.1 (2026-09): accessibility requirements for ICT products and services. ETSI, CEN and CENELEC. European Telecommunications Standards Institute, September 2026. Standards body (ETSI, CEN and CENELEC, the European standards organisations) ↩︎ https://www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_en/301500_301599/301549/04.01.01_60/en_301549v040101p.pdf
28. prSIA 500:2025-07 Hindernisfreie Bauten (obstacle-free buildings), consultation draft. SIA (Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects). SIA; consultation copy with highlights published by Pro Audito Schweiz (in German), July 2025. Standards body (SIA) ↩︎ https://pro-audito.ch/wp-content/uploads/prSIA500_Vernehmlassungsentwurf-mit-Hervorhebungen.pdf
29. Public Location Brand Guide for Auracast Trademarks. Bluetooth SIG, 15 September 2026. Trade body (Bluetooth SIG, an industry association funded by its member companies, which owns the Auracast trademark; location trademark programme terms) ↩︎ https://www.bluetooth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/2025_Public-Location-Brand-Guide-for-Auracast-Trademarks.zip
30. IEC 63087:2026 Assistive listening devices and systems for active assisted living. IEC TC 100. International Electrotechnical Commission, 18 September 2026. Standards body (International Electrotechnical Commission; the full text is sold, and only a preview is public) ↩︎ https://webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/95094
31. IEC 60118-17 (in preparation): assistive listening system for hearing aid users based on 2.4 GHz audio streaming. IEC TC 29 WG 13. International Electrotechnical Commission, undated (read 13 October 2026). Standards body (International Electrotechnical Commission) ↩︎ https://tc29.iec.ch/tc-activity/standards-under-preparation/
32. IEC 60118-4:2014 Electroacoustics - Hearing aids - Part 4: Induction-loop systems for hearing aid purposes - System performance requirements. IEC TC 29 (Electroacoustics). International Electrotechnical Commission, 11 December 2014. Standards body (International Electrotechnical Commission; the full text is sold, and only the abstract is public) ↩︎ https://webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/798
33. Auracast streamed assistive listening system (resource page). Center for Hearing Access, undated (read 9 October 2026). Nonprofit advocacy (Center for Hearing Access, an initiative of The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts; it states that it accepts no donations from hearing-related vendors) ↩︎ https://centerforhearingaccess.org/auracast/
34. The 2010 ADA Standard for Accessible Design/2012 International Building Code with 2009 ICC A117.1 Comparison Matrix. Kimberly Paarlberg, ICC. International Code Council, September 2012. Standards body (International Code Council; matrix developed for ICC by Kimberly Paarlberg) ↩︎ https://media.iccsafe.org/news/codes%26standards-news/2012v2n4/ComparisonMatrix.pdf
35. BS EN 60118-17 Ed.1.0 Electroacoustics - Hearing aids. Part 17: Assistive listening system for hearing aid users based on 2,4 GHz audio streaming. British Standards Institution, committee EPL/29. BSI Standards Development, undated (read 13 October 2026). Standards body (British Standards Institution; project source listed as IEC) ↩︎ https://standardsdevelopment.bsigroup.com/projects/2025-00505

Change log

• 10 October 2026Published with 33 sources.
• 13 October 2026Restored the unamplified-room and transit-facility exceptions and model-code and coverage qualifications.
• 13 October 2026Specified Canadian room types, clarified Pew’s institutional funding and made future-standard discussion conditional.
• 14 October 2026Prepared a table-linked evidence block for owner review; the block remains unpublished.
• 14 October 2026Added Evidence at a glance, drawn from the data tables.

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