Auracast and hearing devices: a scoping review on connectivity and accessibility for individuals with hearing loss in public environments

Purpose  To map and synthesize the available evidence on the use of Auracast technology in hearing aids (HA), in the context of auditory accessibility in public environments.

Research strategies  This scoping review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The PCC framework was adopted (Population: individuals with hearing loss using HA; Concept: Auracast technology; Context: public environments). The search strategy was based solely on the keyword “Auracast” and applied to a defined time window from June 2022 (the official launch of Auracast) to April 2025. Information sources included scientific databases (PubMed, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, Dimensions Analytics) and gray literature sources (Google Scholar, websites of HA manufacturers, professional associations, and institutional repositories such as OSF and OpenGrey).

Selection criteria  Study selection and data extraction were conducted independently and blindly by two reviewers, with disagreements resolved by consensus.

Data analysis  A total of 348 records were identified. After removing duplicates and applying eligibility criteria, 17 studies were included in the final synthesis.

Results  The available evidence suggests that Auracast could improve accessibility and autonomy in public settings, particularly when integrated with HA. However, most studies were technical or descriptive, lacking robust clinical evaluations.

Conclusion  Auracast is an emerging innovation in auditory accessibility. Nevertheless, further empirical studies are needed to assess its effectiveness in educational, healthcare, and transportation settings. Large-scale adoption will depend on technical, financial, and social factors, especially in low-infrastructure contexts.

Keywords:
Assistive Technology; Hearing Aids; Accessibility; Inclusive Education; Bluetooth Communication