LONDON, UK — RNID and GN Hearing have announced the launch of Auracast for Theatres, a new practical guide designed to help theatres and live-performance venues improve audio accessibility for people who are deaf or have hearing loss.
Developed by RNID, the UK charity supporting people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus, with support from GN Hearing, the playbook provides guidance on selecting, installing, operating and promoting Auracast broadcast audio systems. It draws on research and input from theatre customers with hearing loss, venue personnel and technical experts.
The resource emphasizes that accessible listening experiences depend not only on audio technology, but also on trained staff, clear communication and meaningful involvement from people with hearing loss.
Improving Access to Live Performances
For people with hearing loss, following dialogue during live performances can be challenging because of distance from performers, background noise and reverberation within theatre spaces. While many venues provide assistive-listening systems, audiences may encounter difficulties locating, accessing or using them.
Auracast broadcast audio technology allows participating venues to transmit audio directly to compatible hearing aids, headphones, earbuds and dedicated receivers. This can provide audiences with an alternative way to access performance audio, potentially improving speech clarity and reducing reliance on conventional venue-provided listening equipment.
However, the availability of compatible technology alone does not guarantee an accessible experience. The new playbook addresses the broader operational and communication considerations involved in making Auracast available to theatre audiences.
“Everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy the magic of live theatre, but for many people that’s simply not possible. Around 18 million people in the UK are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus, yet too often they are let down by assistive-listening systems that are difficult to access, poorly communicated or simply do not work when they arrive”, said Alastair Moore, Technology Lead at RNID.
Moore added that the guidance is grounded in independent research and the experiences of theatre customers and venue teams, with the goal of helping venues provide more reliable and welcoming listening experiences.
Guidance Beyond Technology Installation
The Auracast for Theatres playbook covers several stages of implementation, from initial planning and equipment selection to daily operation and audience support.
Among its recommendations are involving people with hearing loss when selecting and evaluating systems, training front-of-house personnel to assist visitors, and ensuring that information about accessible listening options is available before audiences arrive.
The guidance also encourages venues to communicate accessibility information consistently through booking platforms, websites, customer emails, signage, promotional materials and interactions with staff.
These considerations are particularly important as Auracast-enabled hearing aids and other compatible consumer devices become more widely available. Visitors need to know whether a venue offers Auracast, what equipment is compatible and how to access the broadcast.
“At GN, we believe accessibility should be a shared standard, not a privilege. Auracast has the potential to help transform how people experience sound in public spaces, but technology only makes a difference when it is implemented well, and people know it is available”, added Laurel Christensen, Head of Global Audiology, GN.
Christensen said GN was pleased to support RNID in developing an independent resource that could help more people participate in shared cultural experiences.
Incorporating the Audience Perspective
A central element of the project is the involvement of people with lived experience of hearing loss, whose feedback can help venues identify barriers that might otherwise be overlooked during technical planning.
Gideon Hoffman, a 51-year-old hearing aid user from London who has had hearing loss since birth, described the potential value of improved audio accessibility for theatre audiences.
“It excites me that I may hear better in venues that I have not heard well in up to now. I normally rely on captions, but with Auracast I can hear the expression in actors’ voices”, said Hoffman.
Hoffman also expressed hope that accessible broadcast audio could eventually allow audiences to connect to listening systems with less need to request assistance or obtain additional equipment.
His comments highlight the importance of accessibility measures that support greater independence while preserving the full experience of live performance.
Supporting Wider Adoption of Auracast
The launch reflects a broader effort by RNID and GN Hearing to raise awareness of Auracast and encourage its adoption in public venues.
Although the new resource focuses specifically on theatres, many of its recommendations concerning system reliability, staff preparation, communication and user testing may also be relevant to other public spaces implementing broadcast audio technology.
For hearing care professionals, the availability of accessible Auracast installations could also create opportunities to educate patients about using compatible hearing technology in public settings.
The Auracast for Theatres playbook is available beginning October 14, 2026, through RNID’s website.
**Readers may also be interested in this This Week in Hearing video highlighting the implementation of Auracast at Marriott Theatre in Illinois, including a behind-the-scenes look at the technology and firsthand reactions from audience members experiencing the system.
About RNID
RNID is the national UK charity supporting approximately 18 million people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. Founded in 1911, the organization works to improve accessibility, support hearing research and advocate for people affected by hearing conditions. More information is available at www.rnid.org.uk.
About GN Hearing
GN Hearing is part of GN Group, a global hearing and audio technology company whose brands include ReSound, Beltone and Interton. GN develops hearing solutions and related technologies designed to improve communication and access to sound. More information is available at www.gn.com.
Source: GN, RNID
