If you turn up the television so you can follow the dialogue, someone else in the room may find it too loud. A newer option called Auracast™ broadcast audio is designed to send one audio stream to many nearby compatible devices. That may eventually make TV listening more flexible for some people who use hearing aids—but compatibility depends on the exact equipment.
What Auracast means for TV listening
Auracast is a Bluetooth® broadcast-audio feature. A compatible transmitter sends audio, and compatible receivers can join that broadcast. For television, the transmitter could be a TV with the feature built in or a separate transmitter connected to the TV. A phone or another compatible device may help a listener find and select a broadcast, depending on the product setup.
This is different from the familiar one-to-one Bluetooth connection used to pair a phone with a speaker. Auracast uses specific Bluetooth LE Audio capabilities and a broadcast profile; the Bluetooth SIG notes that ordinary Bluetooth support alone does not establish that a product can send or receive Auracast.
Why “Bluetooth” on a box is not enough
TVs, phones and hearing devices can support Bluetooth in different ways. A TV may send sound to one paired headset without supporting Auracast broadcast audio. A hearing aid may connect to a phone for calls or streaming without being able to join an Auracast broadcast. Look for the feature by name in the specifications for the exact model—not just the word “Bluetooth.”
Check the whole setup before you buy
The TV or transmitter must send an Auracast broadcast
Check the TV’s model-specific technical specifications or ask the manufacturer whether it can transmit Auracast audio. If it cannot, ask whether a separate Auracast transmitter can connect to that TV and whether it supports the audio output your television provides.
Your hearing device must be able to receive it
Check the hearing-aid model and, where relevant, its firmware. “Bluetooth hearing aid” does not automatically mean “Auracast receiver.” The manufacturer can confirm whether the specific device can receive broadcasts directly or needs another compatible device in the setup.
Find out how you select and join the broadcast
Some systems may use an assistant—such as a compatible phone or app—to scan for broadcasts and help the listener choose one. The controls and steps vary by product. Ask whether setup can be completed with the devices you already own and whether the TV audio will remain available to other people in the room.
If your current devices are not compatible
You can still explore familiar options, such as a TV streamer made for your hearing-aid model, compatible Bluetooth streaming, captions, or a purpose-built assistive listening accessory. Compatibility varies, so check the hearing-aid and television instructions before purchasing an accessory. Our guide to hearing TV dialogue more comfortably covers other practical approaches.
A simple pre-purchase checklist
- Does the exact TV model transmit Auracast broadcast audio?
- Can your exact hearing-aid model receive Auracast, or will you need an accessory?
- How do you select the broadcast, and is a phone or app required?
- Will the setup work with your TV’s audio output and other devices in the room?
- Can the seller demonstrate the connection before you decide?
A little checking can prevent an expensive mismatch. If the specifications are unclear, ask both manufacturers to confirm the complete TV-to-hearing-device setup in writing. For more ways to make television listening easier today, see our TV listening guide.
