Do you have more than average difficulty hearing the caller at square dances? Are the music and surroundings too loud for you to understand the voice? If so, you may be able to take customized control over these issues by using the assisted listening capabilities of a modern hearing aid or earbud.
Glenview Squares has an assisted listening transmitter at each dance that broadcasts the caller's voice (voice only – not mixed with music) over Bluetooth to an unlimited number of compatible hearing aids and earbuds.
What do I need?
Personal hearing aids or earbuds that are compatible with the Bluetooth’s Auracast standard. The earbuds you already have are probably not compatible.
A smartphone with a Bluetooth 5.2 (or greater) radio. Most smartphones released since 2021 support Bluetooth 5.2. (E.g. iPhone 14 or Samsung S22, or more recent models)
The manufacturer’s Auracast-compliant assistant app installed in your phone and paired with your aids/earbuds.
How do I listen?
Scan the QR code displayed near the entrance, or use your assistant app to select the “Square Dance” Auracast broadcast. Either way, your assistant directs your aid/earbud to stream the caller’s voice to your ears. As necessary, adjust the volume of the streamed voice vs surroundings with your assistant app.
Are my current hearing aids compatible?
The Bluetooth hardware in most hearing aids manufactured since 2022 is ready for Bluetooth’s Auracast. However, manufacturer’s schedules for support vary. Visit the following sites for the current status of manufacturers’ stated Auracast compliance.
My hearing aid is listed as fully compatible, but why doesn’t my assistant app find the “Square Dance” broadcast?
Your hearing aids are probably running firmware installed when you purchased the aids. Older firmware possibly needs to be updated. Ask your distributer whether the firmware installed on your aids is up-to-date for Auracast. If they don’t know, consider requesting updating its firmware to the most recent version.
Prepare for my first try connecting to an Auracast broadcast.
Checkout this Auracast Listening Guide for a look at what to expect when searching for and connecting to the broadcast. Contact your hearing aid distributer.
Other sources of information about Auracast: