BILLINGS, Mont. — Big Sky Audiology has purchased and donated an Auracast transmitter to Billings Studio Theatre, bringing a newer form of assistive listening technology to the downtown stage just in time for the theatre’s production of “Come From Away.”
What the new system does
The donated Auracast transmitter connects to the theatre’s soundboard and streams live performance audio directly to compatible receiving devices — including hearing aids, cochlear implant processors, headphones and earbuds. The system removes the need for patrons to borrow separate receivers and headsets at the door, allowing audience members to use the devices they already wear.
“Auracast removes the checkout step entirely.”
The transmitter went live ahead of the current production, and the clinic covered both purchase and installation costs. Big Sky Audiology has said it plans to provide similar support for other venues interested in the technology.
How Auracast differs from older assistive systems
Traditional assistive listening solutions many venues used — including the setup Billings Studio Theatre employed since about 2015 — typically required patrons to request a receiver and headset at the door. Those systems often depended on a hearing loop and a telecoil-equipped hearing aid, limiting accessibility to people whose devices included that feature.
- Auracast broadcasts to an open number of compatible devices simultaneously.
- It works with modern hearing aids and cochlear implant processors as well as consumer earbuds and headphones.
- Patrons can join the broadcast without identifying themselves or checking out equipment.
| Feature | Previous System | Auracast |
|---|---|---|
| Receiver requirement | Yes — borrowed at door | No — uses personal devices |
| Device compatibility | Often limited to telecoil-equipped hearing aids | Works with hearing aids, cochlear implants, earbuds, headphones |
| Number of simultaneous listeners | Limited by loaner inventory | Open number of compatible devices |
The move aligns with a broader trend in Bluetooth audio development: Auracast is a broadcast-capable extension of Bluetooth that enables a single transmitter to serve many receivers at once.
For Billings patrons with hearing loss, the practical effect is straightforward: they can sit down, join the theatre’s audio broadcast much as a phone connects to Wi-Fi, and hear the show without separately arranging for an accommodation or indicating a need for assistive equipment to theatre staff.
Local coverage of the installation appeared the same day, with KTVQ noting the upgrade replaces the assistive listening setup the theatre had used for much of the past decade. Big Sky Audiology’s commitment to cover installation costs and to offer the same assistance to other venues could prompt similar upgrades around the city’s performance spaces, reducing barriers for audience members who rely on amplified audio.
Billings Studio Theatre’s adoption of Auracast arrives as performing arts organizations nationally explore more seamless ways to serve patrons with disabilities. For patrons and arts administrators in Billings, the new system offers a practical upgrade that preserves audience dignity by letting individuals use their own hearing technology while attending live events.
Further details about which performances will support the Auracast stream and instructions for connecting compatible devices were not included in the announcement; patrons are advised to check Billings Studio Theatre’s box office or website for event-specific information.
