This page offers information and advice on using Auracast at the University, and also contains a questionnaire to allow us to understand people’s experiences of using this new technology.
- If you are a lecturer or presenter, there is no action needed on your part; there are no switches or settings that need changing or adjusting (i.e., you do not need to turn anything on manually)
- If you wish to listen to Auracast broadcasts, the following information will be of use
- If you have already listened to Auracast broadcasts here, we would be extremely grateful if you could please complete this survey.
Auracast is the name of an Assistive Listening technology which uses a Bluetooth signal to beam an audio feed from the microphones in a room directly to your own personal device.
This means that certain smartphones, hearing-aids and cochlear implants can get a direct audio connection to the AV in a teaching space or meeting room. Unlike other Bluetooth applications, you do not need to “pair” your device to an Auracast transmitter; it’s more like tuning in to a radio broadcast.
When compared to traditional, older Assistive Listening technologies – such as telecoil Hearing Aid Loops – Auracast often provides a clearer, better signal which is also less dependent on where you may be sat in a space. The University is starting to trial Auracast in certain areas. The first trial area to be fitted with an Auracast transmitter is B100, R1001.
If you are attending a lecture or event in a space that has been fitted with an Auracast transmitter, then there are essentially two different ways that you can “tune in” to the Auracast broadcast within that room:
- By directly listening to the broadcast on your own Smartphone (i.e., by tuning in to the broadcast, and listening to it via your own headphones)
- By linking your hearing-aids or implants to the broadcast
These instructions are described in more detail below.
By directly listening to the broadcast on your own Smartphone
Smartphones with Android operating systems allow you to receive Auracast broadcasts directly (Apple / iOS operating systems do not yet have this feature). The exact instructions vary between devices, but they will always be found under the BLUETOOTH section of your SYSTEM SETTINGS. Searching in your System Settings page for AUDIO BROADCAST can also be useful.
The following video may be of use:
By linking your hearing-aids or implants to the broadcast
More modern hearing-aids and Cochlear implants can be instructed to receive an Auracast broadcast by the use of either an Auracast Assistant or the hearing-aid’s own smartphone-based app.
There is unfortunately a wide range of such applications, and as such we must please ask you to refer to the manufacturer’s own documentation / their own online support.