If you’ve seen a TV or a pair of earbuds that somehow promise to beam audio to lots of listeners without the usual “pairing” ritual, there’s a name for that trick: Auracast. It’s a broadcast-style Bluetooth feature built on the newer Low Energy Bluetooth standard, and it’s quietly starting to show up in products and venues — even if most companies don’t make a fuss about it.
What is Auracast, in plain English?
Think of Auracast as a tiny radio station for audio sources. A single transmitter broadcasts a stream and multiple compatible receivers — headphones, earbuds, or hearing aids — can tune in without the one-to-one pairing dance we’re used to. That means a theatre audience could pick up the stage mix on their hearing aids, gym-goers could tune the treadmill TV to their headphones, and families could each set their own volume when watching the same show.
Technically, Auracast sits on Bluetooth LE and benefits from the newer LC3 codec for efficient, higher-quality audio. But the most important bit isn’t the codec — it’s the use case: shared audio that’s easy to access and useful for people with hearing differences.
Why you probably haven’t heard of it (yet)
There are three things conspiring to keep Auracast quiet.
- Manufacturers don’t always market it. JBL is unusual in actively promoting Auracast on speakers like the Charge 6 and PartyBox Stage 320 and headphones such as the Tour One M3. Other big names — Samsung and LG — have quietly added receivers to TVs, yet barely mention the feature on product pages. That means many buyers already own Auracast-capable hardware and don’t know it.
- Early implementation pains. Companies that jumped in early, like JBL, had to iron out compatibility nuances not fully tightened in the Bluetooth framework. Reports surfaced — for example, some PartyBox users noticed the speaker only accepted broadcasts from other JBL devices — issues that firmware updates have been working to fix.
- Ecosystem incentives. Auracast is intentionally brand-agnostic, but a few manufacturers prefer keeping users inside product ecosystems. History suggests a big, visible push from a dominant player — imagine Apple adding Auracast to AirPods — could accelerate adoption overnight. For now, Apple has remained silent, and that slows mainstream awareness.
- Ask the venue or transport operator whether they offer Auracast broadcasts. Many places won’t volunteer that they do unless prompted. Venues testing it often have transmitters installed; some will lend receivers if your hearing aid isn’t Auracast-ready.
- Check your device’s Bluetooth settings. On compatible phones, tablets and headphones there’s usually an "Auracast" or "Audio Sharing" entry where you browse available broadcasts.
- If your hearing aid is “Auracast ready,” ask your audiologist whether a software upgrade or new model is needed. Clinicians are increasingly aware of the feature and its potential benefits.
Why accessibility advocates and venues are excited
This is where Auracast stops being a neat gadget trick and starts to matter. Traditional hearing-loop systems are often patchy or unavailable; Auracast promises clearer direct audio into hearing aids, cochlear implants, or personal earbuds, with optional multiple channels and volume/preset tailoring for individuals. At a recent roundtable, deaf-audience advocates described the difference as transformative: less fuss at the box office, fewer borrowed receivers, and the dignity of using one’s own device.
Public venues are beginning to adopt transmitters: the Sydney Opera House, some universities and churches, and individual performance spaces are experimenting. The technology also offers more inclusive options: people who aren’t deaf might prefer a direct audio feed for clarity, while others may use it to reduce sensory overload.
Where you can find Auracast today
Adoption is uneven but growing. Beyond JBL, Sony’s flagship headphones now include an Auracast-based "Audio Sharing" feature. Google, Samsung, OnePlus and some recent phones support Auracast receivers — some Pixel models in the lineup are among those devices — and budget earbuds from makers such as EarFun have added the feature too. If you want to check whether a specific model in your bag supports it, look for Auracast or Audio Sharing in the Bluetooth or accessibility menus.
If you’re shopping, note that not every company shouts about it on the spec sheet. For example, you might hear about compatible handsets when retailers discount a Pixel 10 in a deal roundup, or discover support in smaller product reviews like the EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus.
Got a theatre ticket or an airport transfer? How to try it
The rough edges and what would speed things up
Interoperability kinks from early implementations are being patched, but widespread momentum needs three things: manufacturers to market it clearly, venues to install transmitters and train staff, and more hearing-aid and earbud models in the wild. Affordable transmitters exist for under US$100 to retrofit older equipment, so the barrier to entry for venues isn’t huge — awareness is the bigger problem.
And yes, a major ecosystem player embracing Auracast would likely turn a niche capability into a mainstream one. In the meantime, consumer pressure matters: ask for it at cinemas and auditoriums, check your gear, and nudge your audiologist about it.
If you want a quick, practical test, visit a public space that advertises Auracast or bring a compatible set of headphones and politely ask venue staff whether a broadcast is active. The experience — clearer dialogue, personal volume control, direct feeds to hearing aids — is often what convinces people Auracast belongs in everyday life.
Auracast isn’t a headline-grabbing gadget feature. It’s a quietly useful piece of plumbing that promises to make audio more personal and more accessible. And the odd irony is this: the more it stays out of the spotlight, the longer it takes for the people who need it most to discover it.