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Hearing Augmentation

Hearing augmentation refers to a system that enhances sound clarity, whether in speech, conversations, or music, for individuals with hearing impairments. By boosting volume and minimising reverberation and background noise, the listener benefits from a significantly improved signal-to-noise ratio (S/N).

Various methods can achieve this, such as hearing loop systems (utilising hearing aid T switches or providing loop receivers), frequency modulation (where users wear individual receivers to pick up radio waves),  infra-red technology (employing emitters and receivers for a direct line of sight reception) or using the latest technology from Bluetooth SIG, Auracast.

Hearing Augmentation

Type of Hearing Augmentation?

A common query we encounter involves finding the optimal hearing enhancement solutions for our needs. More specifically, people wonder if a one-size-fits-all technology exists that works seamlessly across all hearing aids and keeps pace with rapid technological advances.

Addressing these questions isn’t as straightforward as one might hope. For many years, the telecoil or induction loop system served as a universally accepted standard, having been the mainstay since the 1930s. Yet, its relevance has seen a decline in the design of modern hearing aids. The trend among manufacturers has been a shift towards creating smaller, more visually appealing devices, with a significant lean towards exclusive wireless technologies in the last fifteen or so years. This shift has resulted in a fragmented landscape of technologies for linking to external audio sources. The good news is that manufacturers of hearing aids have acknowledged the need for a modern, universally applicable technology. They have rallied behind a new technology, brought to us by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), known as broadcast audio, or Auracast™. This innovation stands on the brink of becoming the new standard for hearing enhancement technologies worldwide.

Given the vast array of technology options at our disposal, navigating the best approach for hearing enhancement in new environments or communal spaces poses a challenge.

At Hear Room, we advocate for a tailored approach, taking into account the likely devices used by your target demographic, a strategy that proves especially effective in Australia, where technology usage can often be segmented by age group, particularly in educational settings and aged care homes. Armed with this insight, we can recommend and implement the most appropriate technology or combination of technologies. Furthermore, we suggest the installation of multiple hearing enhancement technologies wherever feasible, to cater to the broadest range of needs and preferences.

Hearing Augmentations Solutions

Technologies

Discover different hearing enhancement options that are suitable for your specific environment. With a range of options such as IR, FM, hearing aid manufacturers, proprietary wireless platforms, and WiFi-based systems available in the market, the solutions mentioned below are customised to meet both current requirements and future expectations.

Auracast

Auracast™ is a part of the new Bluetooth® Low Energy Audio specifications and differs significantly from classic Bluetooth®. This new standard marks the first-ever support for true broadcast audio by Bluetooth®, opening up new possibilities for various applications, including public assistive listening in wide areas.

Auracast™ broadcast audio will enable all types of public locations – from large venues such as airports and conference centres to smaller establishments such as gymnasiums, cinemas, and houses of worship – to deliver audio experiences that will enhance visitor satisfaction and increase accessibility.

Auracast™ enables seamless transmission of audio to a wide range of compatible devices, including hearing aids, headphones, earphones, and Auracast receivers, ensuring an immersive and inclusive audio experience for all users.

 

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Products

Roger Hearing System

The cutting-edge Phonak Roger technology harnesses a digital wireless signal to securely deliver audio on a 2.4GHz frequency to Roger receivers that work seamlessly with compatible hearing aids or receivers attached to them. Additionally, it offers versatility by being compatible with universal neck-worn receivers, allowing it to integrate with other technologies like telecoil.

Any space using r FM transmitter-receiver systems must cover at least 95% of the floor area. There is also a minimum receiver ratio based on how many people can fit into the space

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Products

Hearing Loops

An Induction or Audio loop is a wireless signal that can be received by a hearing aid when set to the Telecoil setting. Instead of using the hearing aid's built-in microphone and amplifier, the signal is picked up and converted into sound by the hearing aid. This method of signal reception results in improved speech understanding.

Induction loops have a long history dating back to the mid-1930s. However, they are now being gradually replaced by newer wireless technology, aiming to enhance audio quality and reduce the size of hearing devices.

Induction loops installed in these areas need to cover at least 80% of the floor space.

 

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Education

Education Hearing Augmentation Solutions

Hearing Augmentation needs to be specific to the audience that is going to be access the system.  Education facilities is one of these scenarios, where Australian leaners have different needs and ability to access external audio.

Therefore when selecting hearing augmentation for these projects then we need to consider how they will access the audio.  

Check out our specific hearing augmentations solutions for education.

Need Receivers? How many?

Are you installing a hearing augmentation system that needs receivers?  If so do you know how many you need to use to comply with NCC 2022?

NCC 2022 D4D8 Hearing Augmentation

  1. a system requiring the use of receivers or the like, it must be available to not less than 95% of the floor area of the room or space served by the inbuilt amplification system, and the number of receivers provided must not be less than—
    1. if the room or space accommodates up to 500 persons, 1 receiver for every 25 persons or part thereof, or 2 receivers, whichever is the greater; and
    2. if the room or space accommodates more than 500 persons but not more than 1000 persons, 20 receivers plus 1 receiver for every 33 persons or part thereof in excess of 500 persons; and
    3. if the room or space accommodates more than 1000 persons but not more than 2000 persons, 35 receivers plus 1 receiver for every 50 persons or part thereof in excess of 1000 persons; and
    4. if the room or space accommodates more than 2000 persons, 55 receivers plus 1 receiver for every 100 persons or part thereof in excess of 2000 persons.

Make sure you have the correct number of receivers for your project by using our calculator.