Summary:
The Sydney Opera House has become the world’s first cultural venue to implement Auracast broadcast audio, a groundbreaking assistive listening technology that enhances live performance experiences for people with hearing loss.
Key Takeaways:
- Revolutionizing Accessibility: Auracast broadcast audio, powered by Bluetooth LE Audio, offers a superior sound experience for hearing aid users, eliminating common barriers at live performances.
- Global Industry Support: Companies like Samsung, Google, and the Bluetooth SIG back Auracast, highlighting its potential to improve accessibility across public spaces and devices.
- Permanent Implementation: The Sydney Opera House has permanently installed Auracast in key venues, setting a new standard for inclusive cultural experiences worldwide.
Advanced accessibility technology is set to transform the listening experience at the Sydney Opera House for people with hearing loss following a collaboration between GN, Hearing Australia, and the National Acoustic Laboratories.
Starting today, the Opera House has become the first global cultural institution to introduce Auracast broadcast audio, an audio innovation for live performances, into its venues for hearing aids users. The advanced assistive listening technology offers a superior sound experience via Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Audio and Auracast broadcast audio, a major step forward in removing barriers and achieving greater inclusion for the one in five people globally who live with hearing loss.
TV presenter Osher Günsberg, a hearing aid user, welcomed representatives from the audiology sector, the deaf and hearing loss community, as well as the media to the Opera House to experience the new technology with a live performance broadcast directly to hearing aids and earbuds.
The presence of representatives from Samsung Electronics, Google, and the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) underscored the broad support for Auracast and its potential to enhance accessibility across a wide range of devices and platforms. These leaders showcased Auracast-enabled products that demonstrated how it enhances listening experiences in public spaces and venues.
Hearing aid users can face barriers at live performances, with current assistive listening systems such as induction hearing loops optimized for speech while music can sound distorted and available seating limited to areas with coverage.
“Live music is one of life’s great joys. But like many people with hearing loss, I’ve found my enjoyment has been dulled by poor sound quality or being restricted to certain seats,” says Marian Jones, a hearing aid wearer who attended the event. “Hearing the beautiful music via Auracast was the crispest and clearest experience I’ve had in years. It was quite emotional to see the reactions from others with hearing loss at the performance. This is so important to drive forward accessibility.”
Auracast provides access to high-quality broadcasts to listen to sound shared from a nearby transmitter through hearing devices to Auracast-compatible audio devices. GN has been working closely with technology companies for several years to ensure hearing aid end-users have early access to this breakthrough technology.
“We are at the forefront of bringing Auracast to hearing aid wearers so they can easily connect to and enjoy great sound no matter where they are,” says Peter Karlstromer, CEO of GN. “We are very proud to collaborate with the Sydney Opera House, National Acoustic Laboratories, and Hearing Australia to enable Auracast and inclusive performances at this iconic venue—we hope it will encourage more to follow suit and enter the next era of connectivity.”
The Sydney Opera House has permanently fitted its Western Foyer venues—including the Drama Theatre, Playhouse, and Studio—with Auracast transmitters.
GN was the first hearing aid manufacturer to pioneer hearing aids that connect with Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast in 2023. The company has now integrated this technology across its entire new ReSound and Beltone portfolio and introduced an app-based Auracast assistant. Event attendees who do not wear hearing aids were able to experience Auracast using the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro.
The Auracast launch event opened with a keynote address by Ingrid Dahl-Madsen, Danish Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand and Ambassador designate to Fiji. Dahl-Madsen highlighted the significance of the moment—celebrating the connection between Denmark, a global leader in hearing technology innovation, and Australia, home to the Sydney Opera House, designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon.
Find out more about Auracast broadcast audio here.
Featured image: Sydney Opera House. Photo: GN
