The Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) has been working on creating a new Auracast for Theatres playbook, which is now available for free online.

Auracast is a Bluetooth audio broadcasting technology, enabling venues to send audio directly to compatible hearing aids, hearing implants, earbuds, headphones, and standalone receivers with neckloops. Besides the exciting new technology that needs to be easily understood by installers, technicians, and users, there is also the important element of education around what accessibility means, especially when it comes to the specific experiences of a theatre audience.

This playbook is grounded in independent research and the real experiences of theatre customers and venue teams. It gives venues practical guidance to help them move beyond minimum provision and create welcoming, reliable experiences that will have audiences coming back time and time again. – Alastair Moore, Technical Lead, RNID

The RNID Auracast for Theatres playbook has been created “from the ground up”, by talking to the people whose opinion matters the most: those with lived experience. It also includes insights from forward-thinking theatre professionals who have already installed Auracast. The playbook provides practical guidance on planning, installing, operating, and promoting Auracast broadcast audio to improve access to sound and greater choice for audiences.

By delivering audio directly to the user’s own hearing devices, Auracast can be much more accessible and provide clearer sound than other hearing assistive technologies. It can also have a wider reach, meaning that users do not need to be restricted to certain areas of the venue and can instead enjoy the performance together with friends and family, as well as having the potential for multiple types of use, such as audio description and translation.

Theatres have a real opportunity to improve accessibility and emerging technologies like Auracast can make a big difference. We hope the playbook gives theatres the confidence and practical support they need to make it easier for everyone to enjoy the magic of live performance. – Victoria Boelman, Director of Insight and Policy, RNID

Explore the Auracast for Theatres Playbook for free, on the RNID website.