Listen Technologies and Ampetronic have deployed their Auri assistive listening system across 20 Vue cinema locations in the UK and Ireland, marking one of the largest rollouts of Auracast broadcast audio technology in the cinema sector to date.
Listen Technologies and Ampetronic have announced that Vue, the UK’s largest cinema operator, has installed their co-developed Auri assistive listening system across 20 locations throughout the UK and Ireland. Together, the venues account for more than 28% of admissions across the Vue circuit, giving a significant share of the chain’s customer base access to enhanced audio experiences.
Auri is built on Auracast broadcast audio—a Bluetooth LE Audio standard—and functions as a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) solution for patrons with hearing loss as well as anyone seeking clearer, more intelligible audio. Moviegoers with Auracast-enabled hearing aids, cochlear implants, headphones, or earbuds can connect directly to a broadcast stream. Dedicated Auri receivers are also available for guests who do not have compatible devices or prefer to borrow one, with audio accessible via connected headphones or earbuds.
Beyond hearing loss, Auri can deliver audio description to visually impaired patrons and can support individuals with neurodiversity who may prefer a quieter or less distracting cinema experience.
A Scalable, Infrastructure-Friendly Installation
Auri does not require retrofitting or costly facility upgrades, and transmitters—available in white or black—can be mounted on walls or ceilings to optimize reach across multi-screen venues. The system can be installed alongside existing assistive listening infrastructure, and cinema operators can use Auri Manager, a Windows software application, to configure and manage transmitters and receivers across a network.
“From next-generation seating to the latest premium large-format experiences, we’re constantly working with the best in the industry to make cinema more accessible, immersive, and enjoyable for everyone,” says Narinder Shergill, general manager at Vue UK & Ireland, in a release. “Partnering with Ampetronic / Listen Technologies to install Auri is the next step on that journey, helping to remove barriers and deliver crystal-clear audio to every seat.”
Auracast Momentum in Public Venues
The Vue deployment adds to a growing list of UK venues adopting the Auracast standard. Other UK locations featuring Auri include the University of Oxford, Brighton Station, Everyman Theatre, and Birmingham Hippodrome.
“This installation of Auri in Vue Cinemas marks a major milestone in the adoption of Auracast technology within the cinema industry,” says Craig Davey, national sales manager UK & Ireland at Ampetronic and Listen Technologies, in a release. “The rollout highlights Vue’s commitment to improving accessibility and offering a more convenient and personalized listening experience. It also showcases the growing momentum behind Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast as the future standard for public venue accessibility.”
The announcement comes as Listen Technologies and Ampetronic have been actively working to accelerate Auracast adoption across multiple sectors. On the device side, hearing aid manufacturers including Phonak and Starkey have added Auracast support to recent product lines, and early adopter GN has demonstrated the technology at major audiology events—signals that the ecosystem of compatible consumer and clinical devices continues to expand.
Featured image: Auri Auracast transmitters, available in black and white, broadcast venue audio to an unlimited number of receiving devices within a broad range. Photo: Listen Technologies – Ampetronic
