IAHA

04/03/2026

IAHA member C-TEC has appointed an audio design and installation specialist to its sales and support team.

Tremayne Crossley will provide guidance on hearing loop, infrared and counter hearing assistance systems, as well as public address and voice alarm installations. He brings experience from C-TEC’s sister company and fellow IAHA member SigNET AC, where he continues to hold an active role:

C-TEC has appointed a dedicated audio design and installation expert to its sales and support team to assist customers with audio system enquiries.

03/03/2026

Hearing loops remain one of the most reliable solutions for assistive listening, but are they the right choice for your venue?

We break down how hearing loops operate, the benefits they provide, real-world applications, industry standards, and why they’ve been a well-established solution for decades: https://buff.ly/5xVlVTZ

03/03/2026

It's World Hearing Day!

This year, the theme is From communities to classrooms: hearing care for all children.

Around the world, many school-age children with hearing loss go undiagnosed and do not receive the support they need. An estimated 90 million children and adolescents are affected globally. Yet hearing loss frequently goes undetected, particularly in low-resource settings where access to screening and services is limited.

Find out more about world hearing day, with campaign materials and links to a range of advocacy guides and resources from the World Health Organization, here: https://t.co/6HTqgVF4Rp

02/03/2026

"...As a whole, the Auracast technology will not only enhance its own programs, but also lead the way for other organizations in Kingston to rethink how accessibility can be built into community spaces from the ground up."

The Seniors Association Kingston Region has received $15,527.88 from the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area to install accessible listening tech, with the grant funding Auracast implementation, two permanent hearing loops at reception, and a portable assistive listening system for classrooms and programme spaces.

Encouraging to see Auracast being promoted as part of the assistive listening infrastructure, along with traditional hearing loop solutions, which shows the potential for the use of both older and new broadcast audio technologies to improve assistive listening for a wider range of users:

The Kingston Senior Association Kingston Region received a grant in the amount of $15,527.88 for new hearing technology.

27/02/2026

For organisations, installing an effective assistive listening system isn’t just good practice — it’s a key part of meeting accessibility requirements and creating environments that are inclusive. But with such a wide range of technologies now available, selecting the right solution and navigating so many options can often feel overwhelming.

IAHA’s goal is to make assistive listening systems easier to understand by providing clear, practical guidance that cuts through complexity and supports informed decision making. Learn more about the range of available assistive listening technologies here:

Explore the main types of assistive listening technologies—hearing loops, infrared, FM/radio, audio over Wi-Fi and Auracast—so you can choose the right system for your space and hearing needs.

26/02/2026

From the 9th to 15th of March, The European Federation of Hard of Hearing People will be highlighting the “Right To Connect” and the importance of accessible communication, inclusive public spaces, and equal participation for hard of hearing people across Europe, across their Hearing Access Week initiative.

Aiming to raise awareness of accessibility needs and promote inclusive environments that enable people with hearing loss to participate fully, Hearing Access Week builds on the momentum of the WHO’s World Hearing Day advocacy campaign, held annually on 3 March.

Find out more about the initiative and learn how you can participate here:

Hearing Access Week 2026 - Right To Connect Hearing Access Week 2026 will take place on the 9-15 March 2026 and will focus on the theme "Right To Connect". Right To Connect means more than being heard. It means having access to hearing aids or cochlear implants, assistive technologies, accessible co...

25/02/2026

Some more Auracast news - The National Theatre is now trialling Auracast in its Dorfman Theatre, with plans to make it publicly available later this year.

More here, from Liam O'Dell:

The National Theatre has confirmed it is trialling Bluetooth’s assistive listening technology Auracast in its Dorfman Theatre, ahead of it being made publicly available in the space “la…

24/02/2026

"It is very clear and it works to the top of the auditorium. I only had the volume up to 50 per cent so it will work well for others too."

The hearing loop system at Northwich Memorial Court is now functional again, thanks to the ongoing efforts of theatregoer Louise Mather.

After experiencing problems with the sound system at the venue for a number of months, she brought the issue to the attention of Brio Northwich and Cheshire West and Chester Council, eventually making a formal complaint. The hearing loop system is now functional again.

That said, while this is a positive result, it also highlights an important issue. People with hearing loss should not have to chase, escalate, or complain in order to access services that are already meant to be in place.

Hearing loops and other assistive listening systems should not only be installed, but also checked and maintained on a regular basis. You shouldn't have to ask for access to one, and staff should be well trained in their use.

Full article here:

Louise Mather was not able to go to a performance for several months as a result of a problem with the sound system.

23/02/2026

"...But the thing that will have to happen in order to get Auracast to go mainstream, is for everybody to start talking about it. If we can do that, I expect the adoption of Auracast transmitters inside of public venues to be much faster than what we saw with hearing loop systems."

Dr. Cliff weighs in on the road ahead for Auracast adoption and what needs to happen for it to go mainstream:

Auracast is going to transform wireless audio...but how far away is it in reality?Here is my take on what needs to happen to make Auracast go mainstream. ...

20/02/2026

From Phonak’s Audiology Blog, findings from the ACHIEVE Study highlight how hearing health affects overall well-being. Best-practice hearing interventions, including hearing aids and assistive listening technologies, can support emotional, social, and physical health, reducing fatigue, lowering fall risk, and strengthening connections.

In higher-risk adults, they may also help slow cognitive decline and support broader well being, not just hearing related outcomes.

Full post here:

Achieving good auditory wellness can support broader health outcomes. Explore what the ACHIEVE Study findings suggest across overall well-being, and what this can mean for audiologists in clinical practice as well as for those with hearing difficulties.

19/02/2026

IAHA and EFHOH put assistive listening centre stage at the Zero Project Conference!

Join us today at 16.20 CET, as IAHA Chairman Andrew Thomas takes to the stage at the Zero Project Conference for a discussion on assistive listening technologies.

He will join Lidia Best, President of the European Federation of Hard of Hearing People (EFHOH) in the first joint enterprise since the two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding in December.

The Zero Project Conference is an annual event involving more than 1,000 participants from around the world who come together to innovate for disability inclusion, taking place at the United Nations Office in Vienna, Austria.

IAHA and EFHOH's Fireside Chat will focus on existing and emerging technologies that enable people with hearing loss to fully participate in society. This year’s focus topics are Accessibility, ICT, and Crisis Response. The conference agenda will centre on innovative solutions that have been evaluated and selected through an extensive research process—the Zero Project Awardees 2026.

Join us here:

Welcome to - The Zero Project Conference 2026 on Accessibility, ICT, and Crisis Response.These sessions are part of the Zero Project Conference 20...

19/02/2026

RNID is highlighting issues with the UK's Access to Work scheme, a government programme that enables equal access to employment for people with hearing loss by funding adjustments not covered by the reasonable adjustment provisions under the Equality Act, such as communication support or assistive devices.

Long delays, outdated systems, and inconsistent communication are affecting job security and career progression. Here, Teri Devine calls for reforms to make the service more accessible:

RNID calls for reforms to Access to Work as delays, backlogs and inaccessible processes leave deaf people and those with hearing loss without vital support.