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Hi! I was hoping to use this subreddit as a resource for a work-related project. I’m in charge of audio in live entertainment, and we utilize a T-Coil loop.
It’s the kind where you can walk in and just pick up the feed that’s being sent to your supplied device or hearing aid as long as you’re over the giant copper coil installed in the floor.
We’ve had this setup for about 7 years, it’s been more or less reliable (save for end user issues), but now I’ve heard word that Bluetooth is taking over hearing assist in the live entertainment industry for this application.
Just curious if folks in the hearing loss community could provide input (blue tooth, TCoil, any other options I have no clue about) on your preference as the assisted listening device user.
Thank you for any input!
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It’s coming, but hasn’t by any means taken over yet. That’ll take a few years.
Google auracast hearing aids to learn more…
Many newer hearing aids do not support telecoil.. Mine support auracast, but I have not found any venues that have auracast
I got two new sets last year. Same model except the replaceable battery set doesn’t have tcoil and the rechargeable set does have it.
Loop for the current user base. LE Audio/Auracast for the future. Wi-Fi based systems as an interim alternative. Google 'Listen Technologies'.
Realistically, if you install Auracast now you might wait 3 months to get your first user. That person will probably be very excited about it and immediately post about it to their hearing loss forum! Makes me glad that you're interested in this though.
This is very useful, thank you!
It’s a theater, so we’ve got some… older folks in our crowd. I actually wonder if it becomes a situation where we can have both. Leave the coil on but also have auracast!
Thank you again for the info, I just want folks to hear the show they’ve paid to see!
I don't see why you can't have both. Listen Technologies do Auracast as well as Wi-Fi systems I believe. They can probably advise. Auracast would be an investment in the future. By leading the way, you'd be doing a big service to the hearing loss community in your area. It would create an awareness of and spur adoption of the technology as people get their hearing aids upgraded. And hopefully lead to good will towards your theatre. Depends on how much money you've got to spend I guess and how long you're prepared to wait to get a 'return'.
Bluetooth. All the newer aids use Bluetooth.
I’m a younger HA user and I hate the Bluetooth for work related functions and strongly prefer the T-coil. The quality is substantially better and I virtually never drop audio. Whereas it’s so frequent with BT that it’s often not worth trying to connect.
I doubt you're talking about Bluetooth LE Audio, which is the only Bluetooth option for op's use case.
I have the Phonak Lumity L90-RT which are telecoil compatible.
My understanding is some music and theater venues in Chicago are wired with telecoil.
My first pair of Phonak hearing aids required me to wesr a loop around my neck - which I was able to sync via BT with my phone for calls and music. The HAs themselves did not have BT. The wired loop worked great, alsways strong audio.
I have yet to use it but the option is there.