Auracast has officially launched at the world-renowned Sydney Opera House, setting a new standard for hearing accessibility in live events. In this special episode, Andrew Bellavia takes us behind the scenes of this groundbreaking event, where he explores the powerful capabilities of Auracast technology and its transformative impact on hearing accessibility.Andrew reflects on his personal experience with Auracast technology in his hearing aids, comparing its stereo streaming capabilities to traditional systems. He discusses how Auracast enhanced the concert atmosphere, delivering exceptional sound clarity and a more immersive listening experience for hearing aid usersThe conversation also explores the broader impact of Auracast, with insights from key industry leaders, including Janelle Ryan of the Sydney Opera House; Peter Karlstromer, CEO of GN, Noelle Chun, Senior Product Marketing Lead at Google, and Pádraig Kitterick, Head of Audiological Sciences at National Acoustic Laboratories.Join Andrew as he discusses the future of hearing accessibility and how Auracast is shaping the way we experience live events and performances worldwide.RESOURCES:

• Description of the Sydney Opera House event: https://hearinghealthmatters.org/hearing-news-watch/2025/sydney-opera-house-gn-auracast/
• Article about the Auracast trial in New York: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/auracast-lincoln-center-andrew-bellavia-mh7oc
• Sports bar example with Galaxy Buds: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7149029291693912064/
• Google's Android support for Auracast and hearing aid control: https://hearinghealthmatters.org/hearing-technologies/2025/le-audio-android-phones-hearing-aids/
• Pádraig Kitterick describes NAL's Auracast testing in the first part of this free Audiology Online webinar: https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/enhancing-person-centered-care-with-40022

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Caption Companion is a tool designed to provide real-time captioning without requiring an internet connection. In this conversation, Shari Eberts is joined by Margaret Downs, Executive Director of Premier Visual Voice, and Mathew Call, Director of Technology, to explore how this device can enhance accessibility for people with hearing loss.Equipped with a wireless microphone and user-friendly interface, Caption Companion captures spoken audio and converts it into captions in real time. This feature aims to facilitate communication in a variety of settings, such as conversations, meetings, and conferences, helping to make these interactions more accessible for people with hearing challenges.

• For more information on Caption Companion, visit: https://premiervisualvoice.com/caption-companion/

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Widex has introduced the Widex Allure, a new hearing aid platform designed to enhance speech clarity and improve awareness in various listening environments. Featuring the W1 chip and 'Precision Hearing Technology', the platform focuses on delivering clearer speech while maintaining natural sound awareness. In this conversation with Shari Eberts, Dana Helmink, Doctor of Audiology and Senior Director of Clinical Development at Widex USA, and Søren Nielsen, President of WSA Wholesale US, offer their insights into the Widex Allure platform.

Dana discusses how Widex is streamlining the adoption of new technologies for hearing professionals, while Søren reflects on the company’s years of development in hearing technology and the ongoing efforts to refine and improve solutions for users. He also highlights the importance of balancing innovation with practical usability to ensure a seamless experience for both clinicians and patients. They also discussed the role of the Widex Compass Cloud, the first cloud-based fitting software, and how machine learning and features like LE Audio streaming are helping provide users with a more personalized and seamless hearing experience.

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How will personalized audio solutions shape the future of hearing health? Dr. James Fielding, CEO of Audeara, discusses how integrating personalized sound is transforming both hearing care and consumer audio.In this conversation, Fielding takes us through Audeara’s journey, from its early days of custom audio devices to its expansion into hearing aid solutions. Audeara’s innovative approach is reshaping the way people experience sound, offering tailored audio experiences that meet individual needs. Fielding highlights key products like Audeara Buds and shares how the company is forming strategic partnerships with leading audiology brands.As the industry embraces more integrated solutions, Fielding explores the role of emerging technologies such as Auracast and their potential impact on hearing healthcare. He also offers a look at Audeara’s vision for the future and how their advancements are shaping the next generation of hearing and sound technology.Be sure to subscribe to our channel for the latest episodes each week and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).- https://twitter.com/WeekinHearing- https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-week-in-hearing

A deeper understanding of how the brain regulates sound perception through inner ear nerve fibers could transform the way hearing loss is diagnosed and managed. In this conversation, Dr. John Oghalai explores groundbreaking research that uncovers the brain’s role in modulating cochlear nerve fibers to adjust sound levels in response to hearing loss. These findings provide new insights into auditory processing and may help explain conditions such as hyperacusis and tinnitus, offering potential pathways for future treatment approaches.Dr. Oghalai further explores the implications of these findings for future treatments and personalized hearing care. He also shares how advanced imaging technologies like optical coherence tomography (OCT) could one day revolutionize the diagnosis and management of hearing disorders, potentially leading to more effective and tailored therapeutic approaches. This discussion provides a detailed look at the evolving landscape of hearing research and its potential impact on patient care.Learn more about the work being conducted in Dr. Oghalai's lab: https://oghalailab.usc.edu/research/Be sure to subscribe to our channel for the latest episodes each week and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).- https://twitter.com/WeekinHearing- https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-week-in-hearing

Dr. Barry Freeman has had a distinguished career that spans academia, private practice, industry and global audiology education. As a past president of the American Academy of Audiology, Dr. Freeman has been instrumental in shaping the profession, advancing the recognition of audiologists, and promoting access to quality hearing care.Dr. Freeman has been at the forefront of transforming audiology into a recognized and respected healthcare profession. He played a key role in the transition from master’s to doctoral-level education and has been a leading voice in advocating for audiologists’ inclusion in federal healthcare programs.In this conversation, Dr. Freeman shares personal stories and professional insights, reflecting on the growth and transformation of audiology over the years. He discusses the challenges and milestones that have shaped both his career and the profession, offering a thoughtful perspective on the future of audiology and the patients it serves.Be sure to subscribe to our channel for the latest episodes each week and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).

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https://hearinghealthmatters.org/thisweek/

The Signia Pure Charge&Go BCT IX hearing aids bring several advanced upgrades designed to enhance the user experience. Powered by a newly redesigned chip, these hearing aids offer improved sound quality and extended battery life, providing up to 36 hours of use, including five hours of streaming. New features, such as a convenient LED light indicator and a tactile button for better handling, further improve usability.Built on the IX platform, the BCT IX is designed to offer reliable, straightforward functionality for hearing aid users in a variety of everyday situations.Host Andrew Bellavia meets with Mike O'Neill, President of US Wholesale at WS Audiology, and Lisa Perhacs, AuD, Senior Clinical Development Manager at Signia, to learn more about the features and functionality of the new BCT IX. They also discuss how the real-time AI assistant (Signia Assistant) adapts to user preferences, allowing for adjustments in different environments to enhance the hearing experience. With a focus on reliable connectivity, long battery life, and intuitive design, the Signia Pure BCT IX is aimed at meeting the diverse needs of hearing aid users in everyday situations.Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest episodes each week, and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter):

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Access to communication is a fundamental right, yet for many individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing in the prison system, it remains a significant challenge. In this discussion, Paul Lee, COO of InnoCaption, joins Shari Eberts to discuss InnoCaption Connect, a program designed to bring real-time captioned calls to incarcerated individuals.With an estimated 10% of the prison population experiencing hearing loss, traditional communication methods like TTYs or outdated landline caption phones have often left them isolated. InnoCaption is working to change that by integrating their captioning technology with secure prison telecommunications systems, ensuring that deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals can stay connected with family, access legal services, and prepare for reintegration into society.For more information on InnoCaption:

• https://www.innocaption.com/
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/innocaptionapp
• FB: https://www.facebook.com/InnoCaption/
• LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innocaption/
• X: https://twitter.com/innocaption

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AI is rapidly transforming hearing technology, and Femtosense is at the forefront of this shift. Sam Fok, co-founder and CEO of FemtoSense, discusses the company’s AI-driven chip technology and its applications in hearing aids, earbuds, and other audio devices. FemtoSense, founded in 2018 out of Stanford University, specializes in neuromorphic engineering, a method that mimics the brain’s efficiency to enable AI processing on low-power devices. Their AI chip optimizes speech separation and noise reduction while maintaining battery efficiency—critical for hearing devices that operate within strict power constraints.Fok highlights how hearing aids are becoming an arena for cutting-edge AI innovation, similar to how Deep Learning transformed computing. With AI-driven real-time speech enhancement, modern hearing aids can now improve the clarity of conversations in noisy environments, addressing one of the biggest barriers to adoption. As AI capabilities advance, hearing aids are shifting from simple preset sound adjustments to adaptive, real-time sound processing, providing a more personalized and effective hearing experience.Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest episodes each week, and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter): https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-week-in-hearing/https://twitter.com/WeekinHearing

Hearing technology is evolving, and fully implantable devices are becoming a reality. In this discussion, Brent Lucas, CEO of Envoy Medical, joins Shari Eberts to talk about the company's fully implantable hearing solutions, including the Esteem active middle ear implant and the Acclaim fully implantable cochlear implant, which is currently in clinical trials. Unlike traditional hearing aids and cochlear implants, these devices do not require an external component, allowing users to hear 24/7, even while sleeping or showering.The conversation also explores key trends in hearing technology, including increased competition and innovation in the space. With major tech players like Apple entering the market and advancements in consumer hearing solutions, the landscape of hearing care is shifting. Brent discusses how greater competition, choice, and awareness can help address hearing loss stigma and ensure that individuals have more options beyond traditional hearing aids.Additionally, Brent highlights the Hearing Device Coverage Clarification Act, legislation aimed at improving insurance coverage for fully implantable hearing devices. He emphasizes the importance of consumer advocacy and encourages individuals to research all available hearing solutions to find the best option for their unique needs.Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest episodes each week, and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter):

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