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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. 

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World Lutheran Deaf Outreach Ministry Provides Hearing Assistance with AudioFetch

By | 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 Ministry Logo

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. 

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Performing Arts Centers Use AudioFetch for Assistive Listening Solution

By | 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 Centre front FB - AudioFetch Audio Over WiFi

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.