Turning up the volume in our villages

In a world-first initiative, next-generation Bluetooth technology is being introduced across all our retirement villages, helping residents with hearing loss stay connected.

Delivered in partnership with Audeara, Auracast™ enabled listening solutions will be implemented across village community centres, making it easier for residents affected by hearing loss to engage in community activities and events.

Auracast technology introduces a new way to experience audio, allowing an unlimited number of people within range to listen to the same audio stream at the same time. Anyone with an Auracast enabled device including hearing aids, earbuds and headphones can connect and set their volume to a level that’s comfortable for them.

Senior Research Fellow Dr Carly Meyer said the Research Institute’s biannual Health and Wellbeing in Retirement Living survey showed 45 per cent of village residents were affected by hearing loss, impacting their ability to stay connected with their community.

“A lot of social activities in our villages take place in the community centre – whether it’s a special event with a guest speaker, watching a football game or taking an exercise class,” Dr Meyer said.

“Supporting residents to stay engaged with those activities is so important for maintaining social connections and reducing isolation.

“This initiative is helping us break down the barriers that can stop people attending events, ensuring they don’t miss out on those important opportunities and relationships.”

Brett Rice, Chief Operating Officer Retirement Living, said the world-first implementation was part of a broader focus on positive ageing across our retirement villages nationally.

“The Institute has been working with village residents, frontline teams, and researchers from The University of Queensland Centre for Hearing Research to implement a range of hearing projects. Examples include enabling hearing checks onsite and incorporating hearing and vision-friendly design principles into village infrastructure,” he said.

“We are delighted to be partnering with Audeara and embedding Auracast technology across our 43 retirement villages.”

In May, a special launch event was held at Carrington retirement community, where residents were able to try out the village’s new Auracast headsets.

Main image: Jon Kirkman, Dr Carly Meyer and Brett Rice (second from right) with Audeara representatives at the launch event at Carrington.