Hi everyone,
I’m part of an engineering team that recently developed a proof-of-concept USB-C hearing loop receiver designed to work with a smartphone app (like Hearsight’s real-time transcription/subtitle service). The idea is to provide a compact, low-cost alternative to traditional induction loop receivers (like the Ampetronic ILR3+) by connecting directly to a phone for processing.
How it works:
- The receiver picks up audio from hearing loop systems (e.g., in theaters, churches, or public venues).
- It sends the signal via USB-C to a phone, where an app (like Hearsight’s) can transcribe speech or enhance audio for the user.
- Unlike standalone loop receivers, this would integrate with assistive apps for subtitles, noise filtering, or personalized adjustments.
Question for the community:
- Would you find a dedicated, phone-compatible hearing loop receiver useful?
- What features would make it most valuable (e.g., battery-free operation, adjustable gain, app compatibility)?
- Do you currently use hearing loops, and if so, what limitations do you face with existing hardware?
This is early-stage research, so we’d love to hear your thoughts! If there’s enough interest, companies like Hearsight could develop it as a commercial product.
Thanks in advance for your feedback!