Hearing Technology
This is not the first Auracast installation in the United States, and we do not want to oversell it. Larger venues have tested the technology before. What makes it worth noting is the size of the venue and who made it happen. A community theater got a working system because a hearing care practice decided to pay for one.
For anyone who wears hearing aids, it answers a simple question: what does Auracast look like in real life, outside a product launch? Below is what has been reported, what stays unknown, and what to ask before you count on it.
At a glance
- Billings Studio Theatre in Montana went live with Auracast for the opening of Come From Away on September 11, 2026.
- Big Sky Audiology, a local clinic, covered the equipment and installation as a gift to the theater.
- Patrons can join the broadcast from compatible hearing aids, cochlear implants, headphones and earbuds, much like joining a Wi-Fi network.
- Auracast is still rare. Check your own hearing aids and the venue before you plan an evening around it.
What happened in Billings
Big Sky Audiology is a private clinic in Billings, Montana. The clinic arranged for an Auracast transmitter to be installed at Billings Studio Theatre and connected to the theater's soundboard. Reports give slightly different details about the timing, but agree that the system was running for the opening of Come From Away on September 11, 2026, the second show of the theater's 74th season. The clinic's founder said the clinic covered the purchase and installation. Her stated goal was that hearing loss should not be the reason someone stops enjoying live theater.
How it works for the audience
The transmitter takes the sound from the theater's own audio desk and broadcasts it over Bluetooth. A patron with compatible hearing aids, a cochlear implant, headphones or earbuds can choose the broadcast and listen directly. The sound comes straight from the mixing desk, so it does not have to cross the room and compete with coughs, programs and seat noise. Reports also say people without compatible devices can still borrow equipment at the theater, so the new system adds to the older options rather than shutting anyone out.
What it replaces, and what it does not
Many theaters rely on a hearing loop or on receiver headsets that patrons check out at the door. Reports differ on which of these Billings had and whether it stays in service, so we will not guess. The general point holds. Loops and headsets work, but they depend on the right hearing aid setting or on borrowed equipment. Auracast lets a person use a device they already own. It does not make telecoil obsolete. Loops are still the most common system in real venues.
Why this one matters
Most Auracast news so far has come from large venues and manufacturer events. A clinic-funded install in a community theater is a different kind of signal. It shows that a local practice and a small venue can put the technology in place in a few months. The clinic has said it plans to approach other venues in Billings. We would like to see more of that across the country, including in the Bay Area.
What you need for it to work for you
Three things have to line up. The venue needs a transmitter. Your hearing aids or other device need to support Auracast, which generally means a recent model with Bluetooth LE Audio. Some hearing aids have the hardware but wait for a software update to switch the feature on. And you need a way to find and join the broadcast, which is often a phone app or a button on the hearing aids. If one piece is missing, you will not hear the show through Auracast. Read our guide to Auracast and hearing aids for the full picture.
What to ask before you buy or plan a night out
Ask your audiologist whether your current hearing aids support Auracast today, or only in the future. If you are shopping, ask the same question of every model you consider, and ask how you will join a broadcast in practice. Before a show, call the venue and ask whether it broadcasts by Auracast, loop or headset, and how to join. You can see the models we carry on our hearing aids by brand page. For a TV at home, see hearing the TV clearly.
Our view
This is good news, and it is also early. One theater does not mean the venues near you are ready. If you already own compatible hearing aids, ask about Auracast at the places you visit, because venues add it when people ask. If you do not, do not rush to replace hearing aids that work for you. A hearing evaluation and an honest talk about where you want to hear better will tell you more than any one feature. Our team in San Mateo and San Carlos is glad to help.
Frequently asked questions
A few questions worth asking
Is this the first U.S. theater to use Auracast?
No. Other U.S. venues have tried or installed Auracast before. What is notable in Billings is that a local audiology clinic paid for the system and gave it to a community theater.
Do my hearing aids work with Auracast?
It depends on the model. Auracast generally needs Bluetooth LE Audio hardware, and some hearing aids also need a software update to turn the feature on. Tell us what you wear and we will check.
Do I still need a telecoil?
For now, often yes. Hearing loops are still far more common in venues than Auracast. A telecoil remains a useful feature, especially if you attend places that have not adopted the new standard.
How do I find out if a local venue has Auracast?
Call the venue and ask. Ask whether it broadcasts by Auracast, what the broadcast is called, and how listeners join. Venues add accessibility features when patrons ask for them.
Should I wait to buy hearing aids until Auracast is everywhere?
No. Fit, sound quality and follow-up care matter more today. If Auracast matters to you, choose a model that supports it, and tell us so at your visit.