0
was successfully added to your cart.

Fetch News

Audiofetch News & Information
Jan 10
0
AudioFetch Blog Header - 2022 Wireless Audio Streaming Predictions

5 Predictions for Wireless Audio Streaming in 2022

By | 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. 

Nov 02
0
AudioFetch Blog Header - Assistive Listenging Devices in Schools

How Schools Can Use Audio Over WiFi for Assistive Listening & Translation

By | Education | No Comments

Being able to hear properly is essential in every child’s development of speech, language, and social skills. For students with mild hearing impairments, sitting near the front of the classroom may be enough to help them fully hear the teacher or instructional material. However, this may not be enough for students with more severe hearing loss. 

According to the National Deaf Center, “Relying on amplification devices or residual hearing alone may not be enough to access communication, especially in difficult listening situations (e.g., significant background noise, a room that is not designed for ideal acoustics, group discussions, or listening at a distance).” In these situations, assistive listening devices (ALDs) can provide the support students need to help them learn, grow and thrive.

There are numerous questions surrounding ALDs and how different types of schools use them. We’ve gathered the top questions and provided answers to help you better understand how schools can provide assistive listening and even translation solutions to their students.  

What is an FM system in a classroom?

An FM system used in a classroom can help students by: 1. Amplifying the teacher’s voice, regardless of how close they are to the student; 2. Allowing the student to hear their own voice better, and not speak at a louder volume; and 3. Allowing the student to turn off their hearing aid so they can concentrate on the teacher and not other background sounds.

Why is Audio Over WiFi better than an FM system in a classroom?

While FM systems have traditionally been used in classrooms due to their flexibility and affordability, many schools are turning to a more modern solution–audio over WiFi streaming. Audio over WiFi streaming allows teachers to broadcast their voice to students through their smartphones or tablets. Students can then hear the lesson in real-time through their headphones or Bluetooth-connected hearing aids. 

For colleges and universities, this solution is ideal because it’s BOYD and we all know college students never leave home without their precious phones! Students simply download the free app and can start listening immediately, even in cavernous lecture halls or theaters. 

For grade schools, many are providing Chromebooks or other tablets to each student to use throughout the school year. The app can be pre-downloaded to all devices, and students can choose to use it discreetly if they want and need it.

How can grade schools use Audio Over WiFi for assistive listening?

Grade schools use audio over WiFi as a flexible, affordable, and modern assistive listening system. The schools pre-load the audio streaming app on all school-provided tablets and then use the wireless distribution device to broadcast the teacher’s voice, a video lesson or film, audio from a computer program or any other audio source. Students with hearing impairments or those that simply need a little more focus can choose to listen via the app.

How can colleges and universities use Audio Over WiFi for assistive listening?

Colleges and universities use audio over WiFi to provide accessibility options for hearing impaired individuals in lecture halls, theaters, classrooms, and throughout other campus buildings. These higher education institutions encourage students to download the free audio streaming app on their own personal devices. Students can then choose to listen–discreetly–to the professor or any other speaker. Even if they’re seated way in the back of the hall, they’ll be able to hear like they’re sitting in the front row.  

Can students use their cell phones for assistive listening?

Students can use their cell phones for assistive listening when a school is using a wireless audio streaming solution. This is typically not a problem in colleges and universities, where students are permitted to bring their phones (or, at least, can’t be prevented from bringing them!). 

In grade schools, where students are not allowed to carry their phones (or, at least, strongly discouraged!), tablets are being used instead. Many elementary, middle, and high schools now provide tablets to each student to use throughout the school year. The audio over WiFi streaming app can be pre-loaded on these tablets, thus converting them into assistive listening devices for the classroom.

How can schools use translation devices in the classroom?

Schools are leveraging audio over WiFi to stream live translation, in addition to using it for assistive listening. Foreign exchange students and other non-native speakers can tune in to the translation feed using their smartphone or tablet, and clearly hear the instruction or lecture in their own language. This ensures that no one falls behind in their studies because of a language gap.

If you’d like to learn more about using translation devices or assistive listening devices in your school, reach out to us today. We’ll answer all of your questions and can even provide a free demo so you can test the system in your classroom. Give us a call at 1-844-443-3824, drop us a line, or schedule an appointment.