Samsung is pioneering a transformative audio experience at one of the UK’s most iconic landmarks, St Paul’s Cathedral, through a trial of Auracast technology—a new Bluetooth standard designed to enhance accessibility for people with hearing loss. This innovative system allows visitors with mild to moderate hearing impairment to use their existing Bluetooth earbuds or clinical-grade hearing aids to receive crystal-clear audio directly, fundamentally changing how guided tours and performances are experienced in challenging acoustic environments.
Auracast, developed as part of the Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Audio standard introduced in 2022, functions similarly to a radio broadcast. Instead of requiring individual Bluetooth pairing for each listener, Auracast lets users select an audio feed from a single transmitter, effectively tuning into a ‘station’ tailored for the event. This capability not only simplifies the user experience but makes it possible to deliver high-quality, interference-free audio in a vast, echo-prone space like the nave of St Paul’s Cathedral without intrusive wiring or multiple transmitters. Visitors can seamlessly move between various areas where the technology is supported, with the audio following them automatically.
Samsung’s Galaxy Buds3 Pro earbuds are among the first devices to support Auracast, and the technology is also compatible with advanced hearing aids from providers like GN. The company plans to extend wider device compatibility in its upcoming One UI 8 software update. This integration means that features such as active noise cancellation and personalised sound tuning remain effective, enhancing clarity and reducing distracting background noise during the audio feed. Indeed, Samsung demonstrated Auracast’s capability during live tours and choir performances inside the cathedral, highlighting how shared audio streams can greatly improve the listening experience for those with hearing impairments.
The launch of this trial also aligns with Global Accessibility Awareness Day, underscoring Samsung’s commitment to addressing accessibility challenges. A recent survey commissioned by Samsung found that 68% of UK adults with disabilities feel excluded from products and services due to poor accessibility. Auracast represents a significant step towards remedying this, providing an inclusive solution that allows people with hearing difficulties to engage more fully with public events and cultural experiences.
In the near future, Samsung envisions Auracast technology being deployed in a variety of public venues, including stadiums, airports, cafés, and lecture halls, anywhere shared audio streams need to be delivered easily and efficiently to numerous users without complex setup. This could revolutionise the way audio is delivered in communal spaces, eliminating the need for separate headphones or clunky receivers handed out during events. Users can even secure broadcasts with passwords, ensuring that only authorised listeners can access the audio stream, thus maintaining privacy and exclusivity for certain events or tours.
By collaborating with GN, a well-regarded hearing aid provider, Samsung is ensuring that Auracast technology meets the needs of users requiring clinical-grade hearing support, further solidifying its potential to become a mainstream accessibility tool. As more tests and refinements are conducted, it is hoped that this system will soon be available to the public visiting St Paul’s Cathedral and beyond, marking a significant advancement in wireless audio accessibility.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
