IAHA

02/09/2026

“Through this project, we will build practical experience in improving venue accessibility and continue working to create a more inclusive environment for audience members.”

In South Korea, IAHA member HearCycle is involved in a project bringing Auracast-based assistive listening to selected performances at Inspire Arena.

For performances by JYP Entertainment artists, a skybox seating area is being equipped with an Auracast based assistive listening system, enabling live performance audio to be transmitted wirelessly to compatible hearing aids and cochlear implants.

The setup has already been used for performances by 2PM and Young K of DAY6, with further performances planned during the second half of 2026.

Inspire also says feedback and information gathered through the project will be used to explore further accessibility improvements at the venue, which is good to see.

More info: https://buff.ly/o9ZSC7h

01/09/2026

"I really hope that it’s going to really benefit everyone – more so, the people with hearing loss that can now connect and get access to real-time information."

Auracast has been included in new Department for Transport guidance on improving the accessibility of local bus services in England.

As local transport authorities develop their Bus Network Accessibility Plans, the guidance provides examples of potential commitments they could consider. One is to have Auracast installed on all vehicles across a bus network by a specified date.

The DfT notes its potential to deliver onboard announcements directly to compatible devices, including hearing aids, and provide a more personalisable experience for passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Here's Liam O'Dell with more on the guidance and what it could mean for assistive listening on England's buses: https://buff.ly/mzeOoQH

Bluetooth’s Auracast has been suggested by the Department for Transport as a potential commitment for local bus network accessibility plans.

31/08/2026

How inclusive is your workplace for colleagues who are deaf or have hearing loss?

Ahead of National Inclusion Week in September, RNID has put together a range of free resources to help employers and colleagues improve deaf awareness and make workplaces more inclusive.

The resources include practical communication tips, introductory BSL videos, ideas for National Inclusion Week and access to employer webinars.

Find out more and access the resources: https://buff.ly/GunkXh7

Show that having an inclusive workplace does matter. Discover free, simple ways to support your colleagues who are deaf or have hearing loss.

28/08/2026

What are the biggest barriers facing people with hearing loss when using public transport?

More than 1,700 people have shared their experiences as part of RNID 's new Clear Signals report.

On 24 September, they'll be hosting a 45-minute webinar discussing the research, including the key findings, steps transport operators and local authorities can take to improve accessibility, and how technology and innovation could help address gaps in accessible information.

FInd out more and register here: https://buff.ly/KExjqVW

27/08/2026

Making a service accessible is about more than just providing access to the service itself.

This new report from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman looks at what happens when that falls short, sharing experiences of inaccessible communication across public services.

People need to be able to communicate, understand information and have their needs properly recognised if a service is to be considered genuinely accessible.

https://buff.ly/h1gGN6O

26/08/2026

"As clinicians, we often focus on audibility and intelligibility for our clients since treatment is meaningless without achieving these. At the same time, it is important to remember that hearing loss and hearing aids affect a much broader range of areas of life than ‘just’ what a person with hearing loss can hear and understand. Both direct and indirect effects of hearing loss may have broad and deep influences on people’s lives."

The Hearing Review looks at recent research into how hearing aid sound quality affects everyday experiences, with findings suggesting that individually optimised sound can have an impact on mood and listening-related fatigue, as well as the things we more commonly focus on, such as speech intelligibility.

https://buff.ly/g2dFyIN

A new study reinforces the importance of choosing hearing aids with good sound quality and of individualizing the sound to the individual wearer to improve their mood and well-being.

25/08/2026

Getting to grips with assistive listening can take a bit of digging.

Our resources bring together a mix of practical guides, technical documents, and links to relevant standards and organisations. It’s intended as a straightforward reference point for anyone specifying, installing, or working with assistive listening systems.

Take a look:

Browse IAHA’s assistive listening resources, including standards, technical documentation, and curated links to organisations advancing hearing accessibility.

24/08/2026

"The conclusion was difficult to ignore: this is technology capable of making an enormous difference to people’s lives, but its real value depends on getting it out of demonstrations and into the places people actually use."

More on the recent 200 screen Auracast rollout across Vue cinemas, this time from Inavate. With Auracast having been demonstrated extensively over recent months, large-scale deployments like this really do feel like an important next step.

https://buff.ly/9mwk6sF

23/08/2026

If you’re involved in assistive listening, IAHA membership is open to you.

Whether you manufacture assistive listening solutions, deliver services, or work to advance hearing accessibility more broadly, membership offers opportunities to connect, share knowledge and stay informed.

Learn more about what IAHA membership can offer you or your organisation here: https://buff.ly/Lf8xRku

21/08/2026

"The goal is not to rip and replace… but to give venues more flexible tools so they can serve more people better. Everything you see now is the baseline.”

Auracast is opening up new possibilities for assistive listening, but moving to a new technology isn't always as simple as replacing what's already there.

Here's a recent piece from AV Magazine that looks at what venues need to consider as new tech develops, while continuing to provide reliable access for people using existing solutions like hearing loops and telecoils.

https://buff.ly/odcaDdY