Auracast and hearing loops help clients hear better than they ever have and can change the way you practice, while creating priceless goodwill for the profession. By Juliëtte Sterkens, AuD To fully engage with the world and get the most out of hearing devices such as hearing aids and cochlear implants, users need access to assistive listening technology in public venues....
No actionable change to clinical protocol is required, but audiologists may consider educating patients about and advocating for assistive listening systems in community venues as a supplement to hearing device fittings.
Wider adoption of assistive listening systems like Auracast and hearing loops could meaningfully close the real-world performance gap that hearing aid users experience in public spaces, making this an important area of patient education and community advocacy for audiology practices.
- 01Assistive listening systems (ALS) such as hearing loops and Auracast stream audio directly to hearing aids, reducing background noise issues.
- 02Dr. Sterkens frames ALS advocacy as both a patient benefit and a professional goodwill opportunity for audiologists.
- 03Auracast is a newer Bluetooth-based broadcast standard designed to replace or complement traditional loop systems.
- 04Audiologists can play a role in encouraging venues—churches, theaters, clinics—to install compliant ALS infrastructure.
- 05The article is opinion/advocacy from a trade publication, not a research study.
Assistive listening systems improve hearing device performance in public listening environments.
opinionpartially supportedAudiologists who advocate for assistive listening systems can enhance their professional practice and community goodwill.
opinionunclearAuracast and hearing loops are effective tools for helping people with hearing loss hear better in community settings.
opinionpartially supported
