Mar 21

ADA Compliance and Hearing Impairments: Everything Your Business Needs to Know

By AudioFetch | airports, Auction, Business, Casinos, Churches, Education, Government, Hearing Assistance, Hearing Loss, Stadiums, Theater, Tour Guides, Wireless Audio | No Comments

Every public business, organization, or venue should be thinking about how to improve accessibility at their establishment. Not only does it create a more welcoming environment for any and every-one that visits, but it can also be a legal requirement.

Read on to learn more about how your business can (and must) improve accessibility through ADA compliance and other accessibility-friendly solutions.

What is ADA compliance?

The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law in 1990. It prohibits discrimination and seeks to improve accessibility at public government entities and privately-owned “places of public accommodation,” and requires employers with 15+ employees to provide reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities.

What are ADA guidelines for hearing impairments?

The ADA requirements for hearing impairments vary by platform, business type, or entity. For example, all airlines within and into the United States must accommodate hearing loss, according to the Air Carriers Access Act (ACAA), which is typically accomplished by adding captions to airport TVs.

Other public venues must provide assistive listening devices (ALDs) in each assembly area where audible communication is integral to the use of the space. These venues include movie theaters, concert and lecture halls, schools, museums, hospitals, stadiums and arenas, courtrooms, conference rooms, convention centers, nursing homes, community centers, and the list goes on and on.

If your venue provides fixed seating (e.g., theater or stadium) for 50 or more people, ADA compliant receivers must be available for a percentage of seating capacity. Originally it was 4% of capacity, but that figure was updated in 2010 to give larger venues a bit of a break with a scaled quantity. Additionally, at least 25% or a minimum of two receivers must be hearing-aid compatible.

What is an ADA-compliant device?

ADA compliant products for hard-of-hearing individuals include assistive listening systems (ALS) or assistive listening devices (ALDs). An assistive listening system is defined as an amplification system utilizing transmitters, receivers, and coupling devices to bypass the acoustical space between a sound source and a listener by means of induction loop, radio frequency, infrared, direct-wired equipment or wireless connection.

Who enforces ADA compliance?

Several agencies play a role in enforcing or investigating ADA compliance claims, including The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Communications Commission (FCC), U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. Department of Labor, and the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (ATBCB).

What are the consequences of not following the ADA guidelines?

Failing to comply with ADA guidelines can result in both financial and reputation repercussions.

On a purely financial basis, your business or organization can be fined by the federal government up to $75,000 for the first violation and $150,000 for additional ADA violations, and state or local governments may tack on additional fines. Additionally, you open yourself up to lawsuits, personal injury claims, and legal or civil penalties from disabled individuals with legitimate complaints or ambulance-chasing entities looking to make an easy buck.

From a reputation perspective, your brand name can also be dragged through the mud for non-compliance, which can also severely affect your business financially in both the short and long term.

What businesses or organizations are exempt from ADA compliance?

The ADA does not apply to places of worship, religious organizations/schools, private clubs, or any other venue historically excluded from federal civil rights laws. However, many of these organizations decide to provide some type of assistive listening option to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all of their members and patrons.

Learn more about our assistive listening solutions for churches and houses of worship.

Does AudioFetch work with ADA-compliant receivers?

Yes, AudioFetch is compatible with ADA-compliant receivers. AudioFetch can be used to broadcast the audio source live, and then businesses can use a regulation ADA-compliant device to receive that audio.

AudioFetch also integrates seamlessly with hearing aids; listeners connect the hearing aid to their smartphone via Bluetooth and are able to listen in real-time.

AudioFetch works with businesses and organizations of all sizes to help you create a more accessible and welcoming environment for your guests, customers, and employees. If you’re ready to get started, contact us or schedule an appointment to learn more and request a free demo.

Mar 08

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AudioFetch Blog Header_Audio Over WiFi at Business Office

How Audio Over WiFi Benefits Your Business Office or Corporate HQ

By AudioFetch | Business, Fitness Centers, Hearing Assistance, Tour Guides, Wireless Audio | No Comments

After working from home for two years, it can be difficult to get employees back into the office. The convenience and comfort of working from home can oftentimes outweigh the collaboration and communication that comes with being together in one space. And while some companies have vowed to go full-time or remote first, such as Google, Shopify, Quora, US Xpress, Pratt & Whitney, many others are eager to have their staff back in the office environment on a daily basis.

To encourage staff to willingly and enthusiastically come back, these in-person-ready companies are looking for ways to make the experience more enjoyable, more efficient and safer for everyone. One unique way they can do this is by utilizing a wireless audio streaming system.

Below are five ways that corporate HQs and business offices can use audio over WiFi to improve employee satisfaction and productivity:

1. Employee Training Solution

Training is essential to ensuring your employees are prepared to complete their work in the most effective, efficient, and responsible ways. But if they’re unable to hear or understand the training material, they’ll never be able to perform their job responsibilities to the fullest potential. AudioFetch can be used as an assistive listening solution or live translation system to help your staff learn and comprehend better, leading to better job performance.

Scott M from the US Playing Card Company has found AudioFetch to be particularly useful for their employee training: “We used the tour pack [AudioFetch Express for tour application] and it made a world of difference on the training session. Thank you!!”

2. Fitness TV Audio System

Many corporate headquarters and larger businesses offer a gym or fitness center that their employees can access at any time. Our audio over WiFi system is a perfect solution for allowing staff to stream gym TV audio to their phones. They don’t have to be tethered to any one piece of cardio equipment; rather, they can move around freely throughout the fitness space and use several machines, all while enjoying (and getting distracted by!) the news, a game, a TV show, or anything else playing in the facility.

3. Wireless Factory Tour Guide System

During tours of factory floors, where conditions can be dangerous and safety is of the utmost importance, it’s imperative that all participants can hear the tour guide clearly. But churning machinery, beeping vehicles, whirring fans, and other loud sounds can easily drown out the audio and potentially put participants at risk and workers at risk.

Our portable tour guide system is an ideal solution, and a great replacement for outdated, unhygienic, and expensive listening devices you may already be using. Tour groups use their own personal smartphones to listen with the AudioFetch app, eliminating the need to purchase, keep track of, maintain and sanitize numerous devices. The app is simple and intuitive for users of any age or expertise, plus it’s free to download with no monthly fees for your business.

4. Controlled Music System

Did you know that music can increase your employees’ productivity?! It’s true. Especially for those staff whose tasks are clearly defined and repeated often, such as factory or warehouse workers. Music improves mood, increases concentration, reduces stress, and increases work speed.

AudioFetch can be used to provide multiple music channels to your team to reap these benefits and more. Select channels can be programmed, offering options for varying musical tastes and work styles, while limiting employees’ ability to access the internet and thus get distracted. All employees have to do is download the free AudioFetch app, select their channel of choice, and start listening.

5. Emergency Notification Solution

Quick action and widespread communication is required during an office fire or other emergency situation. Audio Over WiFi technology can be used to stream emergency instructions to employees on multiple floors and throughout thousands of square footage, allowing your staff to mobilize quickly and efficiently.

Helping your employees, clients and visitors hear better without distractions or distracting others can increase productivity and enhance the office space, making it a more desirable environment to return to. If you’re ready to get started, contact us or schedule an appointment to learn more and request a free demo.

Feb 04

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AudioFetch Blog Header - Easter Church Services

6 Articles to Help Your Church Get Ready For Easter This Year

By AudioFetch | Churches, Drive-in Audio, Hearing Assistance, Translation | No Comments

With Easter services just a couple of short months away, we wanted to share some of our most popular blogs about hearing assistance and translation services in churches. Check out the following articles to learn how to create a more inclusive environment for those with hearing impairments, how to welcome members that speak different languages, and how to create a safe space for congregants of all ages.

Help Your Congregation Hear Easter Services

Easter services bring in a larger crowd than usual each year. And while this year’s services will be anything but usual, houses of worship can still expect to see more community members visiting the church for the holiday. Whether your organization is planning to have indoor or outdoor services, there are ways you can help your larger-than-usual congregation hear better this Easter. Continue reading…

How to Make Your Worship Services More Accessible

Creating a welcoming and inclusive environment is a key goal for every type of religious organization. Church members and guests should be provided with resources and tools that allow them to take part in weekly services and other events to the fullest extent possible, despite any hearing impairments or language barriers.

Yet, because houses of worship are exempt from the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and/or because many believe that addressing these requirements is too complicated and expensive, they neglect to take steps to create this welcoming community. Fortunately, we’re proud to offer a solution that is both simple and inexpensive to install. Our audio over WiFi solutions are designed to make it simple and affordable for any type of religious organization to make their services more accessible and welcoming to all types of audiences. Learn how AudioFetch helps those with hearing impairments and language barriers. Continue reading…

How to Broadcast Your Church Services to Cars in Parking Lots

Many churches and houses of worship are continuing to modify how they deliver messages to congregations to practice social distancing for older or immunocompromised members. Online tools, virtual hangouts, social media, and drive-in church services in parking lots are all still in effect.

We’ve worked with thousands of churches since the start of this global pandemic to help them create drive-in services. We are able to offer drive-in audio streaming through our products in two ways: Using AudioFetch to broadcast to smartphones or using an FM transmitter to broadcast to the car radio. Continue reading to learn more about these options.

Is Audio Streaming Right for Your House of Worship?

A house of worship should be a place that brings people from all walks of life together for fellowship. With young and old, bilingual speakers and various disabilities all coming together in one space, a house of worship needs solutions to help meet its congregation’s audio needs. It used to be that adding assistive listening devices for churches wasn’t worth the trouble; programming changes and ongoing upkeep made it an expensive and burdensome addition. But modern solutions are able to eliminate all of that and leverage existing technology that works for everyone.

Here are a few of the reasons why a hearing assistive system could be a God-send for your house of worship. Continue reading…

Audio Solutions to Help Your House of Worship

Baby boomers represent about one-quarter of the American population and as they age, they may begin to experience hearing loss. Along with that, approximately 5% of the total population experiences some type of hearing disability. This makes it important for any religious organization to consider and anticipate their needs and give consideration to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), even if houses of worship are exempt from ADA requirements. Many houses of worship are looking for ways to leverage technology to make assistive listening and accessibility simpler, more effective, and less costly.

For decades, houses of worship have used inductive loop systems to assist the hearing impaired, but these systems are cumbersome, expensive, and still require the use of a hearing aid which many people find embarrassing. Recent developments in hearing assistive technology, however, can be a great solution both for houses of worship with tight budgets to assist parishioners experiencing hearing loss. Some devices use BlueTooth technology, which allows the pairing of cell phones and hearing aids to assist the congregation in hearing the service directly without having to use a headset.

Audio streaming solutions that use built-in WiFi technology work similarly to BlueTooth. These assisted listening solutions for churches allow listeners to hear the service via an app on their own device (phone or tablet) using their own earbuds or headset which can be great for those who do not want to wear a hearing aid but still need the audio boosted. Continue reading…

How to Promote AudioFetch at Your Business or Organization

Installing AudioFetch at your business is a breeze. Getting customers to use it shouldn’t be difficult either! We offer several ideas for announcing the addition of AudioFetch wireless audio streaming at your church and getting more members to use it. Continue reading…

If you’re looking for an effective and cost-efficient audio solution for your house of worship for Easter, AudioFetch is it! Contact us by calling 844-HI-FETCH or scheduling an appointment to discuss your needs and get a free quote.

Jan 25

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AudioFetch Blog Header - Drive Ins We Love

The Next Generation of Drive-In Theaters

By AudioFetch | Drive-in Audio | No Comments

Did you know that drive-in theaters have been around for more than 100 years? The first drive-ins are thought to have started as early as the 1910s; however, the first official patented drive-in theater was established by Richard Hollingshead in New Jersey on June 6th,1933.

After testing the concept in his driveway from small crowds, Hollingshead’s drive-in theater location allowed for 400 cars and advertised with the slogan: “The whole family is welcome, regardless of how noisy the children are.” (Thankfully, we’re all a bit more polite these days!)

For the most part, the core elements of the drive-in have remained intact all these years–movies are projected to a large outdoor screen from a projection booth, allowing customers to view the film from their vehicles and enjoy snacks from a concession stand. And while the central aspects and charm of drive-ins haven’t changed, the audio-visual technology that makes it possible has.

Modern-Day Drive-In Theaters

Today, drive-in theaters are often more boutique in nature, typically only permitting 30 to 50 vehicles. Many are forgoing the “drive-in” part and instead of showing films in parks, fields, farms, backyards, warehouses, alleyways–anywhere viewers can pull up a chair or blanket and relax in front of the screen.

Food trucks have replaced the concession stands and films are often selected based on their nostalgia or cult status. Because you often don’t actually drive to these theaters, the name is sometimes changed to “open-air cinema” or “outdoor theaters.”

New Technology for the New Drive-Ins

The audio-visual technology used to power drive-in theaters is the biggest change to the format. As the size of drive-in theaters has shrunk over the years, so has the A/V equipment required.

Projectors are now smaller and more portable. This means that drive-ins don’t need to rely on a single, powerful projector. Instead, they can use any number of affordable and readily-available projectors that easily hook up to computers or DVD players.

The movie screen is also smaller and more portable. Many companies are manufacturing inflatable screens that can be raised and lowered in minutes to create an open-air cinema in any location.

And last but not least, audio equipment is also smaller, more portable, and more affordable. The traditional drive-in speakers–those wired devices that are tethered to short poles throughout the parking area are no longer the only option. Now, drive-ins can use wireless audio streaming devices like our AudioFetch Signature or AudioFetch Express to broadcast sound to viewers’ smartphones.

Leading the Resurgence of Modern Drive-Ins

One drive-in theater ahead of the curve is Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-In in Austin, Texas. Blue Starlite was the first mini urban drive-in theater in the world, and for the past 11 years has been leading the drive-in resurgence that is sweeping the nation and the world, especially the past two years.

Today, Blue Starlite operates in three locations–the original in Austin, Texas, Round Rock, Texas, and Minturn, Colorado. Their unique take on the drive-in theater is that only 15-40 cars are permitted at any showing, giving viewers an intimate, personal, and one-of-a-kind experience. True to the essence of a drive-in theater, guests have the option to use the traditional drive-in speakers or use our AudioFetch audio over WiFi technology.

So if you ever find yourself in Austin, Round Rock, or Minturn, be sure to spend an evening with them for a turn experience on the modern drive-in. We guarantee you won’t regret it!

We are extremely proud to support Blue Starlite Drive-In and all the other drive-ins, open-air cinemas, outdoor theaters (or whatever you call them!) keeping this family-friendly entertainment experience alive after 110+ years!

If you have an established drive-in theater or are looking to host an open-air cinema in any location, reach out! We’d love to provide a free consultation and quote to help your business grow and evolve. Contact us by dropping us a line, calling 844-HI-FETCH, or scheduling an appointment.

Jan 10

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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.

Nov 29

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AudioFetch Blog Header - Holiday Hearing Solutions

Holiday Hearing Solutions: 4 Ways AudioFetch Can Help People Hear More Together

By AudioFetch | Churches, Drive-in Audio, Hearing Assistance, Theater, Translation, Wireless Audio | No Comments

One holiday down, on to the next one! Now that Thanksgiving is past, businesses and organizations are gearing up for all the fun and festive Christmas events.

To bring communities together in safer ways and help make these events more enjoyable for guests, businesses and organizations are using AudioFetch wireless audio streaming solutions.

Discover four ways that AudioFetch is being used to help people hear more together this holiday season:

Holiday Drive-Through Events

Last year, many organizations from community centers and city planning groups to zoos and botanic gardens held drive-through events for the holidays. These events were required to adhere to social distancing guidelines and indoor restrictions, but they ended up being extremely popular and requested again this year.

If you are planning to host a drive-through or drive-in event for the holidays, we can help with your audio sound system. Our wireless audio streaming solutions allow you to broadcast audio to smartphones or tablets. Listeners simply download the AudioFetch App, and then they can hear in real-time from their cars using a smartphone or Bluetooth speaker.

Christmas Church Services

The Christmas season always brings in larger crowds at churches for holiday-themed sermons and midnight masses. The messages during this time are special, and it is especially important that they are heard plainly by everyone. But that can be difficult with the background din of shuffling, kneeling, echoing and children, especially for those with hearing impairments or language barriers.

Our assisted listening devices for churches can help 100% of people hear 100% of the services. With AudioFetch, you can broadcast the services to your congregation’s phones or other smart devices. Church members download the free AudioFetch app, and they can start listening immediately.

AudioFetch is the simplest and most affordable assistive listening solution for churches. It’s cheaper and easier than installing a complex hearing loop system, and it entirely removes the concerns of using shared listening devices. Since congregants use their own personal smartphones, there is no risk of spreading viruses and germs and you don’t have to sanitize devices after every use.

If your congregation has members that speak Spanish, French, Mandarin or any other language, AudioFetch is an invaluable solution here, too. A live translator can speak into a microphone attached to AudioFetch, which will broadcast the translated services to anyone listening via the app. Using AudioFetch as translation equipment for churches creates a welcoming environment for all church members and any new folks that only join during the Christmas season.

Holiday Theater Performances and Concerts

The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol, Elf, Bing Crosby Christmas Concerts, School Christmas Pageants. Traditional shows, new favorites and local events can be enjoyed at theaters and performing arts centers big and small around the world at this time of year.

AudioFetch is an ideal assistive listening device for theaters. Not only is it more affordable than the traditional hearing loop systems that theaters have used in the past, but it’s also simpler and more convenient than any other assistive listening solution out there.

Plug AudioFetch in, connect to WiFi, and start broadcasting audio immediately. And there’s no need to keep track of clunky and unhygienic devices since listeners use their own smartphones and earbuds. It’s a simple and convenient solution for theater owners and theater-goers alike.

Holiday Tour Groups

Tours often pick up during the holidays when friends and family look for unique ways to experience the season together. Whether it’s a holiday-themed exhibit at a museum or a walking tour to experience the seasonal sights and sounds of a city, tours can be a fun way to enjoy each other’s company outside the home.

To make that experience even more enjoyable and protect the health of both attendees and tour guides alike, businesses and organizations are using our wireless tour guide audio system. The tour guide simply speaks into a microphone attached to our AudioFetch Express, and the tour group members can listen via their smartphones and personal headphones.

If you’re looking for an effective and cost-efficient audio solution for your business or organization this holiday season, AudioFetch is it! Contact us by calling 844-HI-FETCH or scheduling an appointment to discuss your needs and get a free quote.

Oct 25

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AudioFetch Blog Header - Sports Bars Using Audio Over WiFi Tech

Sports Bars Leveraging Audio Streaming Tech to Attract New Customers

By AudioFetch | Restaurants, Sports Bars | No Comments

The 2020-2021 Triple Whammy–COVID restrictions, supply chain issues, and labor shortages–have hit restaurants and sports bars harder than most industries. And while a recovery is happening slowly (total spending at quick- and full-service restaurants is up 7% compared to 2019, according to Rewards Network) these hospitality businesses are still challenged to drive sales and adhere to any lingering restrictions, both regulated by local governments and strongly encouraged by local customers.

To address these restrictions, create unique experiences that attract new customers, and help stand out from other local businesses, sports bars and restaurants are leveraging AudioFetch’s next-generation audio over WiFi technology.

AudioFetch provides an innovative and safe way for customers to listen to muted TVs in the bar. The sports bar sound system allows bar owners to broadcast audio from any and all muted TVs to their customers’ smartphones. Customers can then listen through the free AudioFetch app from anywhere in the bar or restaurant, on the patio, in the parking lot, or even the restroom (hey, some folks don’t want to miss a second of the game!).

Meeting regulations and creating a safer environment

Staying up-to-date on the constantly changing rules and regulations has certainly been a challenge. They can flip-flop seemingly overnight and restaurants have had to remain agile to ensure they adhere. Not to mention the wavering fears and comfort levels of customers, which can swing widely by the week and result in disruptions and lost revenue as businesses try to adapt.

AudioFetch has evolved with sports bars as they moved from outdoor-only seating and parking lot “tailgate parties” last spring and summer, to half capacity with at least six feet of space between tables over the winter, to full capacity with no-standing-at-the-bar rules over the past few months. The audio streaming technology allows customers to maintain the proper distance between people and tables without needing to blast the TV volume.

So no matter what the current regulations are, even when they finally get to that “normal” we all keep dreaming about, AudioFetch supports the needs of both the business and its customers.

Airing multiple games for diverse audiences

It’s rare for a sports bar to air the same game on all of their screens. Oftentimes it’s a few different games all taking place at the same time, and for the larger establishments, it might even be several different sports or events throughout the building. To appeal to the widest audience and create a welcoming environment for everyone, even the non-sports fans, all of the TVs must be muted.

Some sports bars provide tabletop speakers so separate tables can tune in to a single TV. This solution is okay when your building has the right acoustics and your customers are on the friendlier, more considerate side. Yet, even in these situations, it can become very loud with competing audio on a table-by-table basis.

AudioFetch provides a more accommodating solution. Each individual sports fan selects the game/TV they want to hear and listens through their own smartphone and headphones. So even if a single table is divided on which game/TV to watch, they have options to make the experience their own or flip around to different channels as desired.

Note: AudioFetch can also be used with tabletop speakers if that’s the preferred method for the business. Simply connect a single phone to the speaker via Bluetooth, use an attachable sound amplifier, or even place the phone in a glass or bowl to increase the volume for the entire table.

Two innovative sports bars get in on the audio streaming action

Canadian Brewhouse - AudioFetch Audio Over WiFi — *Image Source: The Canadian Brewhouse Facebook Page*

The Canadian Brewhouse is piloting the installation of AudioFetch at their Edmonton location to allow customers to hear the various games and live broadcasts. The Canadian Brewhouse has 40 locations across Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan, opening four new locations in 2021.

As the Consumer Choice for Best Sports Bar and Best Pub the last five consecutive years, The Canadian Brewhouse prides itself on creating an exciting customer experience, and we know that AudioFetch will be another element that contributes to their high-quality environment and stellar customer satisfaction. We look forward to working with The CBH to bring game day entertainment to all of their locations and customers.

Glory Days Grill - AudioFetch Audio Over WiFi — *Image Source: Glory Days Grill Website*

Glory Days Grill, a sports-themed family-friendly American grill and bar, is also launching AudioFetch at a single location, with plans to roll out to more locations in the future. Glory Days Grill also has 40 locations spread throughout Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.

Since their first opening in 1996, Glory Days’ goal was to be a neighborhood gathering place that brought friends and family together for award-winning food and entertainment that appeals to all ages. With hundreds of local and national “Best” awards and recognitions and the drive to bring new features and services like AudioFetch to their customers, it’s clear to see they’ve not only achieved this goal but plan to exceed it tenfold!

AudioFetch is becoming an integral part of sports bars’ COVID recovery plan. If you’d like to learn more about the wireless audio streaming solution and how it can benefit your hospitality business, connect with us today. Give us a call at 1-844-443-3824, drop us a line, or schedule an appointment.

Oct 07

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Why Customers are Upgrading to AudioFetch from Tunity

By AudioFetch | Business, Fitness Centers, Restaurants, Sports Bars, Wireless Audio | No Comments

Is Tunity hitting a sour note with your customers?

We often hear from sports bars, gyms, universities, casinos and other businesses that are encouraging their customers to use Tunity’s app to hear muted TVs, but are dissatisfied with the option. As social distancing mandates continue and accessibility becomes a higher priority, we’re working with more and more businesses that need to upgrade their audio over WiFi streaming offering to AudioFetch.

Below are some of the reasons customers turn to AudioFetch when looking for a Tunity app alternative:

Works with Streaming Services

AudioFetch allows listeners to hear any program that’s playing on any TV. That could be a program streaming on Netflix, Hulu, Apple+, Amazon Prime Video, HBOMax, or any other streaming service. Tunity only allows listeners to hear audio from media broadcasts on major national networks only. Most local news and local programming don’t work either.

Works with DVDs and Blue-Rays

When we mentioned any program playing on any TV, that also includes DVDs, Blue-Ray discs, and downloaded digital copies of movies. Heck, it even includes VHS tapes and laserdiscs, if you’ve still got the working players laying around!

No Annoying Commercials

One of the biggest complaints we hear is that the audio ads are incessant, and the only way to get around them is to pay for a premium service. According to one recent review:

“I timed it on Saturday during the gator game and it cut off the game sound every 10 mins to watch some stupid irrelevant commercial. Why every 10 minutes? And why not make it during a tv timeout commercial. I was literally cut off 19 times during the game to the annoying ‘bring the app upfront to watch a commercial.’ Way too many commercials for sporting events.”

This is a complaint from a listener, but business owners also lament this feature because they’re essentially letting other businesses advertise directly to their customers! Without getting a dime in return! And what happens if the ad is for a competing business? Now that’s a conflict of interest if I’ve ever heard one!

AudioFetch does not include a single ad in the audio stream, and listeners will never have to pay a cent to use the app. The only “ads” that are allowed in the AudioFetch app are placed there by the business owner, and our customers typically use this space to advertise their own specials and events.

Low Latency and Near Perfect Auto Syncing

Perhaps tied for the biggest complaint is the audio delay/syncing issue. Customers complain that the audio often gets out of alignment with the TV programming. The company has provided a solution for this with “Fine Tune Audio Sync” buttons within the app, which allow customers to fast forward or rewind to sync the audio themselves. Yet, the frequent ads cause the audio to get out of whack, which means customers are forced to fine-tune every ten minutes or so. Not fun when you’re trying to enjoy a game at the bar, and not safe if you’re running on a treadmill at the gym!

AudioFetch has a distributed processing platform that scales with the number of channels to ensure the lowest latency possible. The techniques employed in the development of the mobile AudioFetch App also ensure minimal latency.

Doesn’t Drain Battery Life

The Tunity app uses GPS on your device to scan for channels in the area and local time. This frequent GPS usage can result in rapid battery drain if channels are scanned too often. Another battery-draining feature is the aforementioned commercials. Some listeners have complained that their phones die before the end of games because of this drain.

AudioFetch works by connecting to the local WiFi network once, and then you manually select which TV/channel to listen to. No battery-sucking features required.

Attentive, Expert Support

We stand behind the AudioFetch products and service and are happy to help you through any technical or logistical challenges you may encounter. AudioFetch won’t connect to WiFi? We help with that! Less tech-savvy customers can’t figure out how to download the app? We got you covered. No issue is too big or too small.

Should you encounter any issues and need support, you will engage with a person well-versed in all aspects of AudioFetch by calling us at 1-844-443-3824, scheduling an appointment or contacting us. You can also visit our Frequently Asked Questions section to find out more about common questions about our products and services.

In the immortal words of Mr. Kurt Vonnegut: “In this world, you get what you pay for.” (He used it in a slightly different context, but knowing his futuristic and sci-fi slant, we think he’d approve of the connection to next-gen tech that would have been mind-blowing in his heyday!). And when you don’t pay a cent for something, you can typically expect that same low-price-point level of service.

AF Tunity Upgrade Twitter Post - AudioFetch Audio Over WiFi

Ready to upgrade to AudioFetch today? We’re offering businesses 20% off their order when they switch from Tunity. So don’t wait another minute to provide a better experience for your customers–order your AudioFetch today by calling 844-HI-FETCH or dropping us a line here.

Are you a listener that can no longer use Tunity at your local sports bar, fitness center or another facility? Let us know the name of the facility and we’ll work with them to bring AudioFetch to you!

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Sep 09

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AudioFetch Blog Header - Sports Bar Sound System

How to Hear The Game at a Crowded Bar This Football Season

By AudioFetch | Restaurants, Sports Bars | No Comments

Today is the first day of the NFL season, and we couldn’t be more excited! We’re looking forward to cheering on our favorite team (Go Broncos!) at some local sports bars (like Hogfish Seafood & Smokehouse in Loveland, CO!), and know many other fans are gearing up to do the same.

While things aren’t quite back to normal in most areas, we’re hearing from our hospitality customers across the United States and Canada that things are picking back up, and they expect packed houses during game days. If you’re a football fan that plans to hit up your local pub to catch the game, you might have some questions about how you can tune in to your team and have a better experience overall.

We’ve gathered answers to some of the most common questions we get about sports bar sound systems and using the AudioFetch app to hear muted TVs:

How do I listen to TV at a bar?

Bars that use AudioFetch allow you to listen to TVs through your personal smartphone or tablet. You download the free AudioFetch app, connect to the local WiFi, choose which TV you want to hear and start listening immediately. You can switch the channel to hear the game or program playing on another TV at any time.

Can I hear my TV through my phone?

AudioFetch allows you to hear TV through your phone using the free AudioFetch app. When used as a bar audio solution, AudioFetch can accommodate 16 audio inputs with a single unit, or up to 512 by using additional units. That means you choose to listen to one of 512 TVs with the swipe of a thumb (how many TVs does your local sports bar have?!).

How do I listen to a muted TV?

AudioFetch technology allows you to listen to muted TVs using only your smartphone and headphones. It doesn’t matter where you are in relation to the TV–right next to it, on the patio, even in the bathroom–as long as you’re connected to the local wireless network, you can listen via the free AudioFetch app.

How can I hear TV without disturbing others?

AudioFetch wireless audio streaming allows you to listen to the TV at any volume through headphones connected to your phone.

This means someone at a sports bar can hear commentary on the Lumberjack World Championships playing on a single TV tucked in the corner, while the rest of the bar watches football! It also works great in fitness centers, waiting rooms, airports and even your home–allowing anyone to hear TV without distracting others or getting distracted themselves.

Does AudioFetch work with streaming services?

Yes! AudioFetch allows listeners to hear any program that’s playing on any TV. Unlike Tunity, which only allows you to pick up audio from media broadcasts, AudioFetch can be used with Netflix, Hulu, AppleTV, Amazon Prime Video, or any other streaming service.

If you’re looking for a local spot to catch the game with AudioFetch, check out a map of our customers and look for the knife and spoon icon.

If your favorite spot doesn’t offer AudioFetch, let us know. We’ll reach out and see if we can work with them to bring AudioFetch to you.

And finally, if you’re a sports bar that would like to add AudioFetch for the busy football season, get a hold of us today. Shipping and installation is quick, and we can have you up and running well before Tom Brady secures the all-time yardage record! Give us a call 1-844-443-3824, drop us a line, or schedule an appointment.

Aug 25

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AudioFetch Blog Header - Global Expansion

AudioFetch Continues Global Expansion with New Customers in 12 Countries

By AudioFetch | AudioFetch News | No Comments

Leading Audio Over WiFi Technology is Now Available at More Locations in the United Kingdom, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Czech Republic and More

AudioFetch, a leader in audio over WiFi technology for audio entertainment, hearing assistance and translation services, has begun working with new customers in 12 more countries over the past 6 months..

“We started AudioFetch with one goal in mind — to help people hear better,” said Tim DePumpo, CEO of AudioFetch. “It is a simple goal that can have a big impact in people’s lives and the community, and we’re proud to be offering this assistance to more locations across the world every day.”

The new customers are from a variety of industries–open air concerts, drive-in theaters, luxury resorts, touring farms, churches, fitness centers and audio-visual dealers–showcasing the flexible and diverse appeal of AudioFetch solutions. A few of the new AudioFetch customers include:

Clearasound – Thornleigh, New South Wales
Digital Arts Resource Centre – Ottawa, Canada
Equinox – Vancouver, Canada
Truth Church – Calgary, Canada
Ville De Sainte-Catherine – Quebec City, Canada
Apostolska cirkev – Brno, Czech Republic
Loe Studios – Marl, Germany
Hidden Jams – Turin, Italy
Sics System AS – Kristiansand, Norway
Enigma Virtual / Gema Digital – Porto, Portugal
Fit4Life – Barcelona, Spain
Viking Sat Satsonic – Ostersund, Sweden
Popup Cinema Hire – Derby, UK
The Bell Inn – Bath, UK
Langridge Court Farm – Bath, UK

Today, AudioFetch customers can be found in more than 23 countries around the world at fitness centers, houses of worship, museums, farms, drive-in movie theaters, amusement parks, warehouses, hospitals, airports, universities and K-12 schools, sports bars, railroad tours, casinos and resorts, apartment complexes, country clubs, retirement communities and many more. The flexibility, efficiency and affordability of AudioFetch wireless streaming devices make them an ideal solution for any type of business wanting to give their guests a better experience.

“The technology is so versatile and universally-applicable, we often have customers coming to us with applications we hadn’t even thought of, but that are a perfect fit,” DePumpo added. “It’s exciting to help these new businesses solve their problems, and work with them to create a more unique, enjoyable and welcoming environment.“

If you’d like to offer hearing assistance, audio entertainment or live translations services at your establishment, we’re here to help! Call us at 844-HI-FETCH or schedule an appointment at your convenience.

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