Listen Technologies
Bringing Power and Clarity to the Sounds that Matter

The interview with Tracy Bathurst, the senior VP, and CTO of Listen Technologies started on an interesting note as he mentioned that at Listen Technologies, they understand how sound is integral to exceptional audio experiences. He elaborated further stating that venues lose business when people struggle to hear and engage with what’s happening. Listen Technologies helps them deliver audio directly to the individual, such that everyone can hear clearly and share in the same great experience. For more than 20 years, Listen Technologies has equipped venues with personalized assistive listening solutions so that their guests can listen and engage in environments where hearing is challenging, whether they are in a theme park, house of worship, tour group, theatre, or any other venue.

The company’s assistive listening products deliver audio directly to the individual, such that no one misses out. Following is the conversation that we had with Tracy as he elaborates on how Listen Technologies brings power and clarity to the sounds that enrich people’s lives.

What are some of the trends that are impacting in the RF/Microwave Solution space, and how is Listen Technologies planning to leverage these trends and evolve?

The continued adoption of low power, short-range communications for more diverse applications is driving customer expectations for more integration of radio technologies that were traditionally separate. Customers desire the same RF system that traditionally provided data services to also provide assistive listening technology.

Listen Technologies’ Wi-Fi product, Listen EVERYWHERE, provides a solution where low latency audio is transmitted over Wi-Fi to smartphones using a venue’s existing wireless data network. It is one element of Listen’s continuing commitment to provide solutions that evolve with global technology trends and what the customer needs.

Please walk us through the RF/Microwave Solutions that Listen Technologies deliver on the basis of its methodology, features, and benefits involved.

The ability to hear is a legal right. On average, 2 out of 10 people experience some degree of hearing loss, and 60 percent of adults have trouble hearing in public places. In the United States and many other countries, assistive listening is required by law when audio is integral to the function in question. It’s also gaining acceptance as a matter of legal compliance in countries where it’s not required by law. RF-based assistive listening products, in addition to other technologies, meet the requirements necessary to make these public spaces compliant, so no one misses out because they can’t hear.

Listen’s products are grouped around four core assistive listening technologies: Radio Frequency (RF), Infrared (IR), Induction or Hearing Loop, and Wi-Fi. Each of these technologies is best suited to specific applications and venues based on size, cost, fidelity, and security. Listen’s RF product, ListenRF, was the first product that we developed for assistive listening and portable assistive listening applications.

Could you please a case study on Listen Technologies has enabled a particular client to overcome hurdles and attain desired outcomes?

With up to 100K crowd capacity, the Dallas Cowboys stadium is what you would call one of the largest, AV advanced sports and entertainment venues. In addition to the largest retractable roof and end zone doors, Guinness World Records awarded DCS the record of the largest video display.

Listen Technologies RF products were specified for the public auditory assistance system and a cueing/information monitoring system for the press (IEM). Along with large quantities of receivers, ear-speakers, neck loops, and ADA compliance signs for guests, two LT-800-216 transmitters are utilized for simultaneous transmitted channels. While the primary function of the secondary channel during sports events is for relaying statistics and press information, it may also be used during special events for multi-language audio transmission. The 216 MHz frequency band RF transmitter and receivers were specified for their transmission range capabilities of up to 3,000 ft. (914 m) and use of up to three simultaneous channels.

Numerous other stadiums across the country have used a similar solution, a few of which include Seahawks Stadium, Coors Field, and Lambeau Field. Many other major sports venues across the country also use RF technology.

What steers Listen Technologies ahead of the competition?

Listen takes a transparent, customer-centric view of developing solutions that exceed our customers’ expectations. A key part of our development strategy is our approach to developing new solutions. We reimagine what the customer experience would be if we remove the barriers that prevent them from having the best listening experience possible— then we seek out, develop, and implement solutions that achieve that experience. Our customer-centric approach leads to unique and different uses of technologies with advanced features, such as using Near Field Communication technology (NFC) that completely redefines how groups are created in Listen’s tour system, eliminating the use of channels and the barriers that come with them.

What does the future hold for Listen Technologies?

Listen Technologies has a rich history of successfully helping businesses transform into sought-after venues. Our founders started the company because they were passionate about creating solutions that would help people around the world hear better. For more than 20 years, we have expanded our reach through superior products and an unwavering commitment to deliver the best personal and assistive listening solutions. Today, our products enhance the quality of hearing for millions of people around the world. We are passionate about serving customers with the right listening solutions.

The continued adoption and rapid technology advancements of low power, low-cost communications such as BLE, Wi-Fi, and DECT continues to open more opportunities in Listen Technologies core markets of assistive technologies and tour systems. Listen’s new solutions will be fuelled by these changes, which will bring exciting new capabilities to our customers and make their experiences more memorable.