Assistive Listening Knowledge Base

Technology

Wi-Fi streaming

Questions and sources on assistive listening streamed over a venue's Wi-Fi network to an app on listeners' phones or to dedicated Wi-Fi receivers.

  • 22 questions
  • 45 sources
  • Newest dated source

Introduction

Audio over Wi-Fi sends a venue's sound to an audio server on its Wi-Fi network1,2. From there it goes to an app on listeners' phones or tablets, or to dedicated Wi-Fi receivers1,2. Listeners hear it through headphones, a neckloop with their telecoil, or a Bluetooth link to their hearing aids or implants1. Those using their own phone need a smartphone, an app and the confidence to install it1. Capacity depends on the venue's network2. Williams AV gives up to 45 listeners in unicast mode, which sends a separate copy of the stream to each listener2. In multicast, which needs network equipment that supports it, it gives up to 1,5002.

Reported delays vary widely3,4,5. Sennheiser gives 40-60 ms on average for its app3. Listen Technologies now gives 40-60 ms for its system, "dependent on network, traffic, and QOS"6, while its 2017 note gave 170-214 ms on Apple and 252-463 ms on Android devices4. A Wi-Fi-to-phone-to-hearing-aid path tried in pilot work for a university study had about 350 ms5. The Center for Hearing Access says these systems typically have 100-500+ ms, against an acceptable delay of under about 30-40 ms7. IAHA states that no peer-reviewed studies of their benefits for people with hearing loss are available1.

The 2010 ADA Standards name hard-wired, induction loop, infrared and FM systems and do not mention Wi-Fi8. Sennheiser proposes that systems streaming over Wi-Fi to smart devices form a fourth subclass, which it calls "Digital Communication Systems"9. The Center for Hearing Access states that "there is no known product that meets the ADA"7. IAHA says a venue "cannot guarantee compliance with ADA Table 219.3" if listeners are expected to bring their own devices1.

Questions

The questions that report evidence on Wi-Fi streaming, including the shared ones on codes, receivers, neckloops, telecoils and what listeners prefer (also listed under Shared).

See these questions in the tracker, with its filters

Sources

45 sources in the library report on Wi-Fi streaming, newest first, with undated web pages last.

  • 10 independent
  • 20 manufacturer
  • 2 standards body
  • 11 nonprofit advocacy
  • 2 trade body

See these sources in the evidence library, with its filters

Sources of the introduction

  1. 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/
  2. WaveCAST Network Guide for Consultants and IT Professionals (TCH 040I). Williams AV, 2024. Manufacturer (Williams AV, maker of the WaveCAST Wi-Fi system, which also sells FM, infrared and Auracast assistive listening systems) ↩︎ https://williamsav.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/TCH-040I-Wavecast-Network-Guide-1.pdf
  3. System Specification (V1.2): MobileConnect Assistive Listening. Sennheiser. Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG, 2023. Manufacturer (Sennheiser, maker of the MobileConnect Wi-Fi system) ↩︎ https://assets.sennheiser.com/download/assets/MobileConnect_System_Specification_v1.2_EN.pdf/ea3cf3b2e7b711f097eaea55b5d2fb86
  4. Understanding & Minimizing Wi-Fi Latency (Listen Tech-Note LTN0012). Listen Technologies, 27 April 2017. Manufacturer (Listen Technologies, maker of the ListenWiFi system described) ↩︎ https://www.listentech.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/LTN0012_Wifi-Latency-Tech-Note_042717.pdf
  5. Evaluating a hearing loop implementation for live orchestral music. McWeeny S, Trainor LJ, Armstrong S, Bosnyak D, Tawfik H, Bruce IC. Ear and Hearing 46(3):808-816, 27 January 2025. Independent (McMaster University; AGE-WELL Canada grant); in-kind hearing aids and fittings from Sonova Canada ↩︎ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39868727/
  6. ListenWIFI Wi-Fi Audio Receiver (LWR-1050). Listen Technologies. Listen Technologies (product page), 1 February 2024. Manufacturer (Listen Technologies, maker of the ListenWIFI system and receiver described, which also sells RF/FM, infrared, hearing loop and Auracast assistive listening products) ↩︎ https://www.listentech.com/shop/product/listenwifi-wi-fi-audio-receiver/
  7. 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/
  8. 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/
  9. 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

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.