Sydney Opera House now offers Auracast™ broadcasts
One of the world’s most iconic architectural masterpieces and a global symbol of creativity and culture, the Sydney Opera House serves as a hub for artistic excellence and innovation. It hosts thousands of performances annually and has become a beacon of artistic expression.
Recently, the Sydney Opera House took a monumental step toward enhancing accessibility by becoming the world’s first cultural institution to implement Auracast™ broadcast audio. This new Bluetooth® capability can deliver high-quality sound directly to Auracast™ hearing aids, cochlear implants, and/or any Auracast™ earbuds or headphones, ensuring an enriched and inclusive audio experience for all.
“The Opera House has always been a place for everyone, and with Auracast™ broadcast audio, we’re taking that commitment further than ever before,” said Jenny Spinak, Sydney Opera House accessibility manager. “This technology ensures that all audience members, regardless of their hearing ability, can fully experience the magic of live performance.”
Revolutionizing assistive listening
Traditional assistive listening systems, such as induction loops and FM systems, have long been employed to support those with hearing loss. However, these systems often come with limitations, including sound distortion and restricted seating options. Auracast™ broadcast audio addresses these challenges by broadcasting crystal-clear audio directly to compatible audio devices (Auracast™ enabled earbuds, headphones, hearing aids, etc.), allowing visitors attending performances at the opera house to enjoy an augmented or assisted listening experience from anywhere in the venue.
According to a recent article in The Hearing Review, Marian Jones, a hearing aid wearer who attended the event, said, “Live music is one of life’s great joys. But like many people with hearing loss, I’ve found my enjoyment has been dulled by poor sound quality or being restricted to certain seats. Hearing the beautiful music via an Auracast™ broadcast was the crispest and clearest experience I’ve had in years. It was quite emotional to see the reactions from others with hearing loss at the performance. This is so important to drive forward accessibility.”
Seamless integration
The Sydney Opera House recently integrated an Auracast™ broadcast audio solution into several of its key venues, including the Drama Theatre, Playhouse, and Studio. Attendees can easily access a broadcast by collecting provided Auracast™ receivers from the cloakroom before a performance. These receivers are provided with headphones or a personal induction loop, catering to individual preferences and ensuring a seamless listening experience. Visitors can also bring their own Auracast™ earbuds or hearing aids and easily access the same broadcast, creating a seamless bring-your-own-device experience.
This groundbreaking initiative is the result of a collaboration between the Sydney Opera House, GN Group, Hearing Australia, and the National Acoustic Laboratories. Together, they have worked to remove barriers and achieve greater inclusion for those who live with hearing loss.
“We are at the forefront of bringing Auracast™ broadcasts to hearing aid wearers so they can easily connect to and enjoy great sound no matter where they are,” said Peter Karlstromer, CEO of GN. “We are very proud to collaborate with the Sydney Opera House, National Acoustic Laboratories, and Hearing Australia to enable Auracast™ broadcasts and inclusive performances at this iconic venue — we hope it will encourage more to follow suit and enter the next era of connectivity.”
A model for future audio accessibility
Introducing Auracast™ broadcast audio at the Sydney Opera House marks a significant advancement in assistive listening technology. It offers an unparalleled auditory experience for those with hearing loss and sets a new standard for accessibility.
This successful Auracast™ implementation also sets a precedent for other cultural institutions worldwide. By adopting Auracast™ broadcast audio, venues can offer more inclusive experiences, ensuring that live performances are more accessible to all individuals, regardless of hearing health.
Learn more about Auracast™ broadcast audio.
