Theatres, arts centres & performance venues
Hearing loops and Auracast for theatres
Making performances accessible to audiences with hearing loss, from the front stalls to the back of the circle. We advise on, design, install and test assisted-listening systems for theatres, arts centres, concert halls and multi-purpose venues.
What makes theatres different
A theatre is one of the most demanding places to provide hearing access. The audience is spread across a large, often tiered, space. The building may have a steel frame, a metal grid and balcony structures that weaken a loop’s magnetic field. The sound changes from quiet dialogue to full orchestra within a scene. And there may be another auditorium, a studio or a rehearsal room on the other side of the wall.
A system that works at the centre of the stalls but not in the circle, or that drifts into the studio next door, lets down the very people it is meant to serve.
Systems for performance spaces
Multi-loop arrays. In larger auditoria, or where significant metal loss or spill control is involved, a single perimeter loop may not provide the required coverage. A phased or multi-loop array uses several loops under the seating to cover every seat consistently, keep the signal inside the auditorium and reduce the effect of metal in the structure.
Auracast. Auracast broadcasts to compatible hearing aids, earbuds and receivers lent from the box office. It can carry more than one stream at once, which suits venues that offer audio description or more than one language. Not every hearing aid can receive Auracast yet. Depending on the venue, the audience and the receivers you provide, Auracast may supplement an existing system or replace it.
Existing infrared systems. Many theatres already lend infrared headsets. These still work, but they do not connect directly to hearing aids, and many people with hearing loss prefer a loop or Auracast. We can advise on how a new system fits alongside what you already have.
Front-of-house loops. Box offices, bars and information desks need counter loops so people can buy tickets and ask questions without struggling.
Getting the feed right
The best loop in the world sounds poor if it is fed the wrong signal. In a theatre the loop or Auracast transmitter should take a dedicated feed from the sound desk: clear dialogue and vocals, with music and effects balanced so they do not drown speech. We work with your sound team to set this up, and leave notes so the feed survives a change of production or a visiting company’s desk.
Testing and commissioning
Every induction loop we install is measured against IEC 60118-4, with readings taken across the seating plan and recorded in a report. For existing systems, we can carry out the same measurements and tell you whether the loop is performing, which seats are weak and what it would take to put it right. This is particularly worth doing after refurbishment, new seating or changes to the sound system. See hearing loop testing and repair.
Running it day to day
A system only helps if it is switched on and audiences know about it. We provide signage for the auditorium and front of house, simple checks your duty technician can run before each performance, and guidance on lending receivers from the box office.
Why talk to us
Our founder, Mike Maloney, is a lifelong hearing-aid user and installed hearing loops as part of his role at Deafness Support Network before founding Hearing System UK. We’ll give you an honest view of what your venue needs, including when an existing system can be fixed rather than replaced. More about us.
We’re based in Wrexham. Our core installation area is North Wales, Cheshire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Shropshire, and we take on larger theatre projects across Wales and the UK by arrangement, with travel costs agreed up front.