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Getting started with Auracast

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Not very technically savvy so I could use a little help. Having my audi upgrade my Intents FW to 1.3 tomorrow. I currently have an Oticon streamer in the LR and another in the MBR. Wife was using AirPods 4 on LR tv but we bought a new LG C5 as an early Christmas present to ourselves. The problem is that I cannot get the AirPods to pair to the new tv.

About ready to buy some earbuds just for watching tv. Even though I have two streamers I would just like to be able take my aids out early in the evening. There is nothing wrong with my moulds but they are just not comfortable to have in for 15-17hrs a day.

Back to my question. Assuming the auracast works on the tv do I need anything like a transmitter or will compatible earbuds suffice? I’m assuming I probably will need a transmitter for the MBR since it doesn’t have built in auracast. Anything else other that two sets of earbuds and one transmitter? Will this setup work or am I just spinning my wheels.?

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I have tried the C5 as an Auracaster and can confirm it works. You shouldn’t need a separate transmitter.

Be careful if you get the Earfun Air Pro 4. There have been issues taking broadcasts at standard quality. Hq seems to work.

The recent Ultra firmware update for the Spheres did not include any update. AFAIK, Phonak continues to be non committal about when they will release it.

Phonak blogged about earlier in the autumn. Their position is essentially Roger.

Their aids are Auracast ready, but need a firmware update to be Auracast Enabled.

I hope their position changes next year when the market starts to demand it.

Catch 22: facilities won’t spend money on hardware until there is a demand for it, and Phonak won’t release it until there’s more facilities that host it. MTCW

@CaptainTrips said:

Catch 22: facilities won’t spend money on Auracast hardware

But it’s all pretty cheap anyway, especially compared to other existing set ups being used, Monopoly is what comes to mind with Sonova.

In reply to @CaptainTrips

I don’t agree. is dirt cheap to install. There just needs to be some awareness, and that’s where we can advocate for it to be installed.

We can also buy a transmitter and donate it. That’s what I’m doing.

In reply to @Nikosman

No one here knows when Phonak will release for their hearing aids.

As such, unless you have an immediate use for Auracast, then you have the luxury of waited if you really want Phonak hearing aids.

You also have the option of trying a different brand of hearing aid to see if it does what you need to have done that has Auracast. However most folks here will say that your ability to hear is the most important thing and that you shouldn’t let the tail wag the dog.

I have an immediate use for Auracast. So for me Phonak is a no sale.

In reply to @Nikosman

@Nikosman said:

Should I avoid phonak or is it only a matter of time until they release Auracast.

Personally one shouldn’t base which to get on or what bluetooth, best get the one that improves your speech comprehension with your family/friends, have you got a Costco you could try out different brands/models there before making a decision and yes it’s only a matter of time for Sonova to come out and play with Auracast.

I agree with Tenkan priority should be given to selecting Hearing Aids that dest improves your hearing/speech comprehension.

However, bear in mind that there are now several manufacturers (other than Phonak) who have released enabled aids, so maybe consider trialling those as well as a Phonak.

I have been using Auracast on daily basis for the last two month with Resound aids and now would not consider any aids which are not Auracast enabled.

Whilst at the current time there are very few Auracast broadcast available in public/commercial settings, there are a number of transmitter available at very low prices which enable high quality stable connection to Televisions, Computers & Tablets. It is worth bearing in mind that the ability to receive an Auracast Broadcast is not limited to just those in the hard of hearing community with an Auracast enabled aids but anyone with Auracast headphones or earbuds, which I believe will lead to exponential increase the roll out of Auracast.

Yes, an transmitter (for the MBR) and 2 sets of earbuds is all you need.

I’m pleased I found the Oticon Intent 1 to be the best hearing aids for me and now after the recent firmware update are Auracast enabled.

The LE audio sound quality is superb and the LE range is a significant advantage over and Classic.

I am looking forward to trialling an Aucracast transmitter on my TV - just waiting for it to be delivered.

Thank goodness I’m not having to ask when Phonak will enable Auracast, as it seems to be one of the most asked questions over the last 18 months!!

Which transmitter did you order? Just received the 1.3 update today and realized the sound on my Intents isn’t the greatest coming from the LG C5 TV compared to the sound I receive from the Oticon TV streamer. I may just need to play with it some more. Regardless, I’m going to need a transmitter for other TV’s that are not capable.

In reply to @tenkan

@tenkan said:

Personally one shouldn’t base which HAs to get on Auracast or what bluetooth, best get the one that improves your speech comprehension with your family/friends…

There’s a lifestyle factor involved here too - in my case, the Bluetooth Classic capability is so important that it was worth spending almost three times as much for Phonaks as I would have spent on Oticons or other “flagship” aids. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer; there are probably people out there for whom really is super important.

In reply to @DonRadlauer

@DonRadlauer said:

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer; there are probably people out there for whom Auracast really is super important.

Oh I’m not saying not to consider it, but obviously it can’t possibly be more important then hearing, having conversations with friends and family would be number one priority.

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