Jan 10

AudioFetch Blog Header - 2022 Wireless Audio Streaming Predictions

5 Predictions for Wireless Audio Streaming in 2022

By AudioFetch | Education, Food for thought, Hearing Assistance, Home Audio, Wireless Audio | No Comments

As A/V technologies grow more advanced and consumers become more reliant on their smartphone devices, we expect the field of local audio over WiFi to continue growing in the new year. Below are our 5 predictions for wireless audio streaming in 2022.

1. Increased Focus on Accessibility

If there is one positive thing to come out of the past two years it’s that we have all become more aware of the health challenges and disabilities of others. That includes individuals with hearing impairments.

This spotlight on hearing has lead to a focus on providing more and better accessibility options in theaters and churches. We predict this focus will continue to grow in 2022, with even more businesses and organizations using audio over WiFi for hearing assistance. The venues we anticipate will grow the most are schools and universities, hospitals and conferences and convention centers.

2. Social Distancing Will Still Be Important

No, unfortunately, we are not yet done with social distancing. As new variants continue to spread throughout the word (and there will be more no doubt, Omicron is not the final one), we’re going to have to continue maintaining safer distances in certain public establishments and spaces.

Wireless audio streaming is a simple, flexible and affordable way to permit social distancing, while allowing businesses to stay open and provide entrainment options. Expect this to continue throughout most if not all of 2022.

3. New Applications Will Be Discovered

We get calls from folks all the time that want to know, “Will AudioFetch work for X?” or “Can I use AudioFetch for Y?” And 99.9% of the time, our answer is yes!

AudioFetch is so flexible, so simple and so affordable, there are near-infinite uses. We could never rattled them all off or list them all on our site. Heck, we haven’t even thought of some of them! But if it has to do with helping people hear better in public venues or at home, AudioFetch can probably help!

Take Itchy-O for example, a 57-member avant-garde marching band and performance music group based in Denver, CO. The Itchy-O band leader uses AudioFetch to communicate with the other members as they dance throughout the crowd during their performances. We certainly couldn’t have imagined this application, but what a cool use and perfectly suited use for AudioFetch!

4. More Businesses Using Wireless Audio Distribution

Interest in using AudioFetch for wireless audio distribution has grow significantly in the past couple years as businesses look for more flexible and affordable audio solutions that meet the needs of today’s tech-savvy consumer. AudioFetch has replaced the existing wireless audio distribution system for a music festival and race track, and we expect to see even more businesses using AudioFetch in this way in 2022.

5. Continued Interest in Home Entertainment Options

We’ve all spent a lot of time at home these past couple years. And while there were certainly times when the cabin fever seemed unbearable and we would have rather been ANYWHERE else on the planet, collectively, we have all learned how to be at home more, and some folks even now prefer it.

Just because we’re staying home more, however, doesn’t mean we don’t want to be entertained. This is clear when you look at all the home-focused technology to come out of CES this year. We especially loved Samsung’s The FreeStyle projector that would be perfect for hosting outdoor movie nights with AudioFetch Home as the audio solution!

We are choosing to stay positive and have an optimistic outlook for 2022. We look forward to working with even more large franchises, mom and pop businesses and individuals to help more people hear better in both commercial and residential spaces.

Jul 13

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World Lutheran Deaf Outreach Ministry Provides Hearing Assistance with AudioFetch

By AudioFetch | AudioFetch News, Churches, Hearing Assistance | No Comments

We’re proud to work with businesses and organizations that help to bring communities together and raise awareness about hearing health around the world. We wanted to highlight a commendable organization that we’ve recently had the pleasure of working with to provide an assistive listening solution–World Lutheran Deaf Outreach Ministry.

Meet World Lutheran Deaf Outreach Ministry

World Lutheran Deaf Outreach Ministry (WLDO) seeks to connect with the 98% of deaf and hard of hearing individuals who do not attend church because of hearing concerns. Various factors–sentence structure, passive voice, inefficient hearing assistance devices–have historically made attending services a challenge, but WLDO is changing that! Through resources, training, worship, and small group study, WLDO is helping deaf and hard of hearing people come together where they previously couldn’t.

WLDO has deaf ministries in locations around the country, including Emmanuel Lutheran Church of the Deaf in Milwaukee, WI, Our Savior Deaf Lutheran Church in Madison, WI, Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Delavan, WI, Life in Christ Church in Peoria, AZ, Trinity Lutheran Church in Litchfield Park, AZ, Holy-Three-In-One Lutheran Deaf Church in Houston, TX, and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson, MS.

How WLDO Discovered AudioFetch for Assistive Listening

We were introduced to WLDO through a customer that had previously purchased our home audio streaming solution, AudioFetch Home. “My hearing is significantly impaired (60% loss) and I really can’t understand TV programs,” says Galen Stanely, who purchased AudioFetch Home in November 2020. “With AudioFetch Home streaming to my Bluetooth hearing aids via my iPhone, the audio is crystal clear. I use it every day.”

After having such a positive experience with Home, Galen recommended AudioFetch to his pastor. “Our WLDO pastor ministers full time to hearing impaired and deaf people in our area and all across the US,” Galen added. “He uses the highly mobile AudioFetch Express for both worship and small group study while visiting many churches and congregations.”

The Most Affordable Assistive Listening Solution for Churches

Houses of worship around the world use AudioFetch Express as simple, affordable, and flexible assistive listening devices for churches, as well as to provide real-time translation services. AudioFetch eliminates the need for maintenance-intensive and unhygienic assistive listening devices or expensive and complex hearing loop systems. It’s simple to install and easy for listeners to use via the free AudioFetch app on their smartphone or tablet.

If you’re looking for an effective and cost-efficient way to provide accessibility for your hearing-impaired members, AudioFetch is the ideal solution! Contact us by calling 844-HI-FETCH or scheduling an appointment to discuss your house of worship application and free get a quote.

Jun 07

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Performing Arts Centers Use AudioFetch for Assistive Listening Solution

By AudioFetch | Hearing Assistance, Theater | No Comments

As theaters and performing arts centers around the globe begin to reopen, one key thing is on their mind–how can we provide a safe yet entertaining experience for guests? This question has led many to reconsider their accessibility solutions for guests with hearing impairments.

How have theaters traditionally provided hearing assistance?

There were two key methods for providing assistive listening solutions–shared hearing devices and hearing loops.

Handing out hearing devices is no longer acceptable–these shared devices have always been a headache to clean and maintain, but now the stakes are much higher than a little headache.

Hearing loops have been used for decades, but they can be complex, inconvenient and expensive, and after many theaters had to close their doors for the better part of a year, every penny matters.

Enter AudioFetch. Theaters and performing arts centers around the world are turning to AudioFetch as their assistive listening solution for three key reasons:

Simplicity – Plug AudioFetch in, connect to WiFi and start broadcasting immediately.
Affordability – At just $549 and no monthly fees, AudioFetch Express is a fraction of the cost of other assistive listening solutions.
Convenience – No more keeping track of clunky, finicky and unhygienic assistive listening devices. Listeners use their own smartphones.

Check out these three performing arts centers that recently tapped AudioFetch to provide assistive listening.

The Star Performing Arts Center

The Star Centre - AudioFetch Audio Over WiFi

The Star Performing Arts Center is a Civic and Cultural Zone in Singapore. The Center comprises many elements: The Star Terrace, an airy outdoor theater; The Star Loft, an exclusive event space and rooftop terrace; The Star Gallery, a state-of-the-art multi-purpose hall; and The Star Theatre, Singapore’s first 5,000 seat theater. The Star Theater is the key venue in the Center and is fitted with a high-end audio, video and production lighting system, providing an exceptional audio-visual experience. And with the addition of AudioFetch, they’re also able to provide next-gen assistive listening capabilities for their diverse audiences.

GoggleWorks Center for the Arts

GoggleWorks Arts Center - AudioFetch Audio Over WiFi

GoggleWorks Center for the Arts in Reading, Pennsylvania is focused on transforming lives through unique interactions with art. Since 2005, GoggleWorks has encouraged their community to develop skills, ask questions, experiment freely and investigate the human spirit through workshops, classes, visiting artists, community outreach programs, summer residency, youth programs and camps, on-site studio artists, film screenings, art exhibitions and communal maker studios. The building is a former goggle factory, hence the name, and is composed of 145,000 square feet of creative and community space.

Metropolis Performing Arts Centre

Metropolis Performing Arts Center is a non-profit organization based in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Their theater houses 329 seats and hosts hundreds of performances each year, including concerts, comedy and cabarets. Through the Metropolis School of Performing Arts, they provide students of all ages with private lessons, group classes, workshops, camps, productions and community engagement.

If you’re looking for an effective and cost-efficient way to provide accessibility for your hearing-impaired patrons, AudioFetch is the ideal solution! Contact us by calling 844-HI-FETCH or scheduling an appointment to discuss your theater application and get a quote.

Mar 15

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How AudioFetch Creates a Welcoming Environment with Assistive Listening Solutions

By AudioFetch | Hearing Assistance | No Comments

Whether you’re a restaurant serving food to guests, a travel group providing tours, a church serving your members, or an organization hosting an event, you have one universal goal in mind–you want every person to have a positive experience so they’ll come back again and/or tell their friends about it.

Businesses and organizations go to great lengths to provide this positive experience, but there’s one area they often overlook–accessibility.

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), some 38 million American adults over the age of 18 report some trouble hearing. That’s approximately 15% of people that could be struggling to hear when they’re at your establishment.

You can make your establishment more accessible to those with hearing impairments by using our next-gen assistive listening solutions. Following are three ways AudioFetch can help your business or organization create a more welcoming environment for customers and guests:

1. No Hearing Aids Required

Lots of people don’t wear hearing aids when they need them. In fact, according to the International Journal of Audiology, a whopping 80% of 55-74 year olds 55-74 don’t. That’s a lot of people who’ve made a conscious decision to go without a device that could benefit their lives.

Why would they do such a thing, you ask? Well, there are numerous reasons people don’t wear hearing aids when they should. For some, they find hearing aids bulky or uncomfortable. For others, it makes them feel old or embarrassed. And for still more, they simply forget to bring it out with them. Whatever the reasons, not wearing a hearing aid when someone needs one can leave them feeling left out and isolated, a negative experience you don’t want them to have at your business.

Our assistive listening solutions eliminate all of those reasons. All the listener needs is their smartphone (which we all know no one ever forgets to bring out!) and headphones.

2. No Asking to Use a Shared Device

Even when an establishment provides assistive listening devices, people oftentimes won’t ask for one. Again, the reasons here can be myriad–they don’t want to call attention to themselves and their hearing loss, they don’t know the devices are available, or, more common these days, they don’t want to use a device that may have been touched by others.

AudioFetch solves this problem. Since listeners use their own smartphone and headphones to hear the audio, they don’t need to ask for or handle any additional devices. AudioFetch is ideal as an assistive listening system for churches, theaters, and schools and educational facilities. Travel and tourism businesses also benefit from replacing their shared hearing devices with our wireless tour guide system.

3. No Tech Skills Needed

If you know how to download and open an app, you know how to use AudioFetch.

Listeners simply search for AudioFetch in the app store (or scan the QR code on signage we provide), download the app, and then open it. If there’s only a single audio channel, they’ll hear it immediately. If there are multiple channels, they simply select the one they want (which is easy to determine with the signage we also provide!) and listen in.

Listeners will never be asked to enter any personal information. They’ll never be asked to create an account. They’ll never be asked to do anything but sit back and enjoy the sound!

At AudioFetch, we’re devoted to helping people with hearing loss or impairment stay connected with the world around them, and helping businesses create a more welcoming environment for these individuals. If you have questions about how AudioFetch can be used for assistive listening at your establishment, do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to helping your business create a more welcoming environment for everyone.

Sep 11

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New Stadium Listening Solution by AudioFetch

By AudioFetch | AudioFetch News, Stadiums | No Comments

Experiencing a live sporting event, concert, speaker or other big performance involves all five senses. Seeing the video screens and special effects. Smelling the hot dogs cooking on the grill. Feeling the cool summer night breeze. Tasting that first sip of ice cold beer. Listening to the play-by-play commentary or catching all the hit songs. Each of these senses is important, but it’s that last one–hearing–that is so important for live events.

Hearing enables us to connect with the world and people around us, and allows us to enjoy life to its fullest. It also helps keep us safe in potentially threatening or emergency situations. So when fans can’t hear in noisy stadiums or arenas, they can miss out on the high points of the event or even critical announcements.

That’s why we’re so excited to announce a new local WiFi audio streaming solution–Stadium Listening.

“Accessibility and experience are incredibly important to stadiums and large arenas,” says Tim DePumpo, CEO of AudioFetch. “They want each and every person at that event to enjoy each and every aspect of the performance. And audio is a major, if not the most important part.”

This new solution allows thousands of listeners to hear live local audio on their smartphone or tablet using the AudioFetch app. It’s ideal for attendees with hearing disabilities or simply those that want to clearly hear the main event over hollering vendors, cheering fans, blaring vuvuzelas and other miscellaneous event din. Any venue that draws a large crowd–sports stadiums, concert arenas, large auditoriums, indoor or outdoor amphitheaters–can use this new audio streaming solution to provide hearing assistance for attendees.

“When we first developed AudioFetch, we were focused on smaller venues and smaller crowds–maybe 50 to 100 people watching games in a sports bar, or 20 people running on treadmills at the gym,” says Tim. “As the company has grown, so have the crowd sizes that want to listen. We’ve gotten interest from stadiums and large arenas around the world, and knew we needed to come up with a solution for mass listening.”

For the stadium or event venue, it works similarly to our other local audio streaming products. Just three easy steps get you up and running: 1. Connect the audio source(s) to AudioFetch using the included cables; 2. Connect the AudioFetch to the WiFi router; and 3. Attendees download the AudioFetch App and listen in real-time. (And if you want to get technical, that’s really only two steps on you!)

For attendees, it’s the exact same process as any other venue. Simply download the AudioFetch App for Apple or Android, connect to the local WiFi and start listening!

“We’ve spent years developing the technology to make this mass listening possible,” Tim adds. “And also spent years making sure customers and users never know how much tech is behind it. It’s so simple to get more people hearing better, and that’s our number one goal.”

For more information on this new stadium listening solution or to learn how AudioFetch can help you and your customers hear better, contact us today

Aug 14

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Making Your School Safer and More Inclusive

By AudioFetch | Uncategorized | No Comments

It’s back to school time, and that means new school supplies, new clothes, new routines (and maybe a bit more quiet around the house). Parents will be dropping their children off at school, hoping that they will be learning in a physically and emotionally safe, and caring environment. It’s time for your school to start planning everything from field trips to new equipment and regulations. School budgets can be tight so it’s important to have affordable tech solutions that are easy to install and maintain. A wireless streaming device can have multiple uses for schools saving them money, time and perhaps even lives.

Here are three ways an education audio streaming system could improve your school.

ACTIVE DANGER DRILLS

Parents and children have a right to expect that they are safe in school. Unfortunately, school safety has become an increasingly dominant factor in our educational institutions, and along with fire drills, schools now hold “active danger” drills.

In an active danger drill, there can be a lot of noise and teachers need to hear what the issue is (fire, tornado, a crime, etc.) and get instructions. As part of any emergency procedure, it is of utmost importance that the administration and first responders are able to communicate directly and quietly with teachers.

Of course, one way to do this is through text message, but this can become an organizational hassle as many carriers limit the amount of phone numbers that can be included in one text. A faster and clearer way to communicate with teachers and staff is by streaming local audio over WiFi directly to their smart device. This way, all teachers are alerted at one time and can receive real-time instructions about the situation.

FIELD TRIPS

While streaming audio may, hopefully, never be used in an emergency, it has further safety use on field trips. Using a personal PA system for teachers, students can be communicated with during travel or any time. Students wandering off or lagging behind can hear instructions about where to find the group. And if the group is inside a museum, library, or other quiet zone, this type of communication keeps the field trip from being distracting to others.

STUDENTS WITH HEARING LOSS

Each year many schools test students for hearing loss. Children may be born with hearing loss or it may develop from infection, disease or injury. Those children diagnosed with hearing loss need accommodations and assistance in hearing teachers, computer, and video lessons. For some children, being placed in the front row of the classroom may be enough to enable them to overcome minor hearing loss for learning.

However, for others, an audio streaming assistive listening device would be helpful. Streaming audio can be offered to any child via iPad, computer or cell phone – thus overcoming extraneous distractions and noise – to enable the student to hear the teacher or recorded lessons. Not only that, it can also be less embarrassing for the student than wearing a hearing aid.

There are even more creative ways an audio streaming solution could improve your school. If you’re interested in learning more, contact us today!

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