Innovations in Bluetooth Hearing Aids: What’s Next on the Horizon?

If you wear hearing aids, you’ve probably embraced Bluetooth like a long-lost friend. Streaming phone calls, music, and podcasts straight into your ears? A game-changer! But just when you thought Bluetooth technology couldn’t get any better, along comes Auracast—a fancy new trick that will make you feel like a hearing aid-wearing superhero.

Imagine sitting in a noisy airport and actually hearing gate announcements clearly—without relying on lip-reading or frantic glances at the departures screen. Or picture yourself in a sports bar, tuning into your game while the person next to you listens to theirs, all through the magic of Auracast. Sounds pretty amazing, right?

The Evolution of Bluetooth Streaming in Hearing Aids

Bluetooth streaming is in high demand today, thanks to its effectiveness. Most new, premium hearing aids include streaming capabilities for both iPhone and Android devices. Wireless audio has become an integral part of daily life, allowing wearers to experience seamless connectivity to calls, music, and media. Hearing aids with Bluetooth also help with speech recognition. 

However, adding Bluetooth streaming to hearing aids comes with challenges. Most wearers need their hearing aids to last 15+ hours per day while remaining small and discreet. This creates technical hurdles that do not exist in standard headphones, which typically have larger batteries and fewer size constraints.

Discover the benefits of wearing hearing aids all the time. 

To manage these constraints, hearing aid makers have relied on Apple’s Made for iPhone (MFi) feature and Android’s ASHA protocol. These solutions work well, but they have limitations in terms of universal compatibility, latency, and battery efficiency.

The Introduction of Bluetooth LE Audio

In 2020, Bluetooth introduced a new standard called Bluetooth LE Audio (LE stands for “low energy”). This advancement paved the way for significant innovations in the audio sector, particularly for hearing aids.

LE Audio delivers higher-quality sound while consuming half the energy, making it ideal for devices that require long battery life. This is a game-changer for hearing aid users who rely on Bluetooth streaming daily.

Understanding the Key Terms

Before diving into Auracast, here are a few essential terms:

• Low Energy (LE) Audio – A broad term describing new, improved Bluetooth technology designed for minimal battery consumption.
• Bluetooth 5.2 – The protocol version that enables LE Audio features, including reduced latency and higher fidelity.
• L3C Codec – A new compression technology that enhances audio quality while reducing energy consumption, ensuring clearer sound.

What Is Auracast?

Auracast is a new Bluetooth protocol that enables shared audio experiences. Imagine tuning into a muted TV in a waiting room or streaming a theater performance directly into your hearing aids without needing an intermediary device.

Auracast will benefit all Bluetooth headphone users, but it offers unique advantages for those with hearing loss. The ability to directly access audio in various environments enhances communication and entertainment options for wearers.

How Auracast Improves Bluetooth Audio

• Universally Accessible – Works with and without a smartphone, allowing audio access in various settings.
• Less Battery Drain – Uses significantly less power than current Bluetooth streaming, preserving battery life.
• Share Your Audio Experience – Connect multiple devices to a single audio source, ideal for group listening.

Auracast in Public Spaces

Once Auracast becomes widely available, here’s how it might work in public areas:

• Airports & Train Stations – Hear clear announcements directly through your hearing aids without background noise interference.
• Sports Bars & Waiting Rooms – Stream TV audio directly into your hearing aids, eliminating the need for closed captions.
• Theaters & Concert Halls – Receive crisp audio without interference, making live performances more immersive.

Will Auracast Replace Telecoil?

Many hearing aids include a telecoil, allowing users to connect to landline phones and public sound systems using induction loops.

Auracast offers a clear, low-energy, universal streaming option. While telecoil systems will remain in use during the transition, Auracast could reduce the need for them in the future by offering a more flexible and higher-quality audio experience.

Auracast vs. Bluetooth Classic

Traditional Bluetooth limits streaming to a single connected device. If you connect your hearing aids to a TV, your family cannot access the same audio.

Auracast removes this limitation by enabling multiple devices to connect to a single audio source simultaneously.

Key Differences

Feature	Auracast	Bluetooth Classic
Battery Usage	Low-energy	High-energy
Number of Users	Unlimited	One-to-one
Range	Up to 300 feet	20-30 feet

Current Auracast-Ready Hearing Aids

Auracast is not yet widely available, but manufacturers are starting to implement the technology so that current devices will be able to connect with Auracast after a simple firmware update. Hearing aid users should stay informed about upcoming models that support this feature.

Hearing Aids with Auracast Support:

• Starkey Edge AI – These devices use Bluetooth LE audio and are Auracast-ready. .
• Phonak Sphere Infinio – These are able to connect to multiple Bluetooth devices and will be ready for Auracast with a simple update. 

Learn more about Phonak Infinio hearing aids. 

Should You Invest in an Auracast-Ready Device?

If you purchased hearing aids in the past year, it may not be worth upgrading just yet. However, if your devices are over three years old and out of warranty, choosing an Auracast-enabled model could be a smart long-term decision.

New to hearing aids? Learn tips for getting used to wearing hearing aids. 

The Future of Bluetooth Hearing Aids

Auracast will revolutionize how hearing aid wearers interact with audio. Here’s what we can expect:

• Smaller, More Efficient Hearing Aids – Less battery drain means sleeker, more discreet designs.
• Better Public Audio Access – More venues will integrate Auracast for improved accessibility and enhanced hearing experiences.
• Seamless Multi-Device Connectivity – Effortlessly switch between multiple audio sources without needing to pair and unpair devices manually.

How Auracast Will Impact Accessibility

Auracast has the potential to make audio more accessible than ever before. People with hearing loss will no longer have to struggle to hear public announcements, and they can enjoy shared audio experiences with family and friends. This new level of connectivity will bring greater independence to those who rely on hearing aids.

Final Thoughts

Auracast is set to redefine Bluetooth hearing aids by providing shared listening experiences, better battery efficiency, and superior sound quality. While the technology is still in its early stages, its impact will be profound.

Expect to see more hearing aid manufacturers adopt Auracast in the coming years, making Bluetooth streaming easier, more energy-efficient, and more widely available.

Interested in upgrading your hearing aids? Contact Injoy Hearing today to learn more about the latest innovations in Bluetooth hearing aids!