We live in an on-demand culture. Everything, from streaming services to delivery apps, has trained modern individuals to expect precisely what they want, where and when they want it. These on-demand attitudes have profoundly affected AV design.

Modern workers and customers are no longer willing to "make do" with the technology or content provided in a space. They anticipate being able to bring their own technology and content into any environment and have them function as seamlessly as they do at home.

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In terms of audio, this expectation translates to offering wireless connectivity. Whether in conference rooms, classrooms, or event spaces, users want the ability to share presentations with audio, demos, video clips, and even background music from their devices effortlessly. Given that many personal devices come with a single USB-C or Lightning output, which may or may not support audio, a wireless solution becomes essential. Moreover, users are reluctant to physically tether their devices to a system just to facilitate audio during a presentation.

Now that wireless BYOD connectivity is a baseline expectation, integrators have two paths to consider for every project: Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. While there is a plethora of branded wireless audio connectivity solutions available, most rely on one of these two foundational technologies, each with its own set of pros and cons. Let’s break them down.

Bluetooth

Pros: Bluetooth is nearly ubiquitous; most end users are familiar with it, often using it daily. This familiarity means that users can comfortably pair their devices with systems via Bluetooth without assistance. It’s also pervasive and standardized in the consumer device industry—practically all new phones, tablets, computers, and displays have Bluetooth built in, and it’s added to more devices every day.

With Bluetooth, you can feel comfortable that your components as well as end user devices will all be compatible. Transitioning devices from space to space is simple, and switching among sources is nearly seamless. It’s also a relatively low-cost technology, a big reason for its ubiquity.

Cons: Historically, Bluetooth’s range has been unimpressive. Older generations have topped out at about 33 feet (10m) for indoor applications, and even the latest generations have a range of only 131 feet (40m) indoors. If you’re aiming to allow end users to “un-tether” the source and receiver, it’s not acceptable to have the audio drop out whenever the user walks into the next room.

[How BYOD Is Impacting Today's Conference Room Connectivity]

Bluetooth signals are also typically quite compressed. This can affect audio quality—and, if there is accompanying video, cause latency issues as well. Newer codecs such as aptX or Apple’s AAC have improved on this problem, but it’s still no match for wired or even alternative wireless technologies. If audio quality, distance, or video sync are critical considerations for your application, you may want to instead consider Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi

Pros: The range for a wireless audio distribution system is as good the wireless network itself. All the regular Wi-Fi rules apply: As long as you can create and maintain a stable network (using extenders, repeaters, etc.), you can extend the range as long as you want. With proper network management, that means you can create an incredibly flexible wireless audio transmission system that works anywhere in an office, sports bar, event center, or school.

Wi-Fi also supports much higher bandwidth transmission than Bluetooth, although in real-time audio applications on mixed-criticality commercial networks, this bandwidth may need to be reserved. As a result, Wi-Fi transmission can achieve higher audio quality and is less prone to latency than Bluetooth.

Cons: The trade-off for quality is cost and ease of implementation. Wi-Fi solutions generally require more programming in the initial setup and more support thereafter. They also often require specialized or proprietary components and software.

In addition, many manufacturers have implemented their own proprietary Wi-Fi-based audio systems, which are often not designed with compatibility in mind. Choosing one of these solutions can make it extremely difficult to integrate components from multiple manufacturers, essentially locking you in to a single-vendor solution.

What's Your Priority?

When it comes to wireless audio, the integrator must prioritize, balancing ease-of-use and interoperability against signal quality and range. There are excellent solutions available in both categories, but no silver bullets yet.

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Integrators must critically analyze the prevailing factors—including the environment, user preferences, and technical demands—to tailor a solution that meets the contemporary expectations of an on-demand culture. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, the innovative advancements in both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technologies enable us to create spaces where limitations are fewer, and the user experience is richer and more seamless.

Black Box and Juniper Networks have partnered to further their Wi-Fi and LAN networks available. The partnership allows Black Box to drive innovation in connectivity, giving more data and networking options. Black Box explains that networks using Beyond NextGen technology—AI-based Juniper Mist Wi-Fi and LAN cloud services—maintain the simplicity of Wi-Fi and wired networking while leveraging superior outcomes in data management, transfer, system maintenance, and automated diagnostics.

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"We're tremendously excited to form a global alliance with Juniper. They are a recognized market leader in secure AI-driven networks," said  Jim McKenna, vice president of strategic partnerships for Black Box. "System deployment and integration into existing and complex infrastructures utilizing cloud-based services and AI operability is the future. Juniper has proven themselves to be the true innovators in that realm, so our partnership is a natural fit for our respective organizations and clients."

"Global integrators are challenged foremost to provide ease-of-deployment, uniformity, and predictability," continued enterprise director of solutions at Black Box, Juned Noonari. "Our Wi-Fi as a Service (WaaS) provides a futuristic approach toward the highest-quality service and the ability to preempt problems. We know of no other company on the cutting edge of that technology than Juniper. Our partnership is a welcomed one."

"Our Mist AI and cloud technology utilizes a combination of artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science techniques to optimize user experiences and to simplify operations across the wireless, wired and SD-WAN domains. Black Box's expertise in this space and trusted relationships with Fortune 1000 enterprise companies make Black Box an ideal partner as we move this technology into the forefront of what is truly possible," said Thomas Desrues, vice president of alliances at Juniper.

If not yourself, how many people in the AV industry do you know that are musicians? Some were roadies, others were, and some are still in a band, and most of us have immersed ourselves in the earth-shaking sounds at concerts. When I was in college, we would measure the success of a concert experience by the fact that our ears were still ringing the next day.

During the past couple of decades, the effects of noise-induced hearing loss have been studied, leading to greater awareness on how to protect one's ears when in environments of any kind with unsafe noise levels. Only in more recent years have audio technology companies been addressing the need for assistive listening devices for a full range of conditions and applications that go beyond the hearing aids of our parent's or grandparent's time.

A Far-Reaching Concern

Since the beginning of the pandemic, we’ve dedicated a lot of time covering the importance of speech intelligibility for videoconferencing and other forms of remote participation. But we have fallen short in discussing the need for assistive listening in pretty much every environment.

The facts are astounding. According an article published by the Cleveland Clinic, noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is more common than one might think. Research studies found that NIHL affects approximately:

>> 5.2 million children and teens between ages 6 to 19

>> 26 million adults between the ages of 20 and 69

People of all ages can develop noise-induced hearing loss. Individuals who attend loud concerts or listen to music through headphones at high volumes are more susceptible to NIHL. In addition, those who have jobs in noisy environments are also particularly vulnerable.

The Cleveland Clinic has shared the following information with us, and for a more in-depth read, check out the full article here.

What part of the ear is damaged in noise-induced hearing loss? Loud noises primarily affect the cochlea, an organ within the inner ear. When you’re exposed to loud noises, cells and membranes in the cochlea can become damaged.

How do you know if you have noise-induced hearing loss? There are a few things that could mean you're losing your hearing. Depending on the cause of your NIHL, symptoms may be immediate, or you may develop them over time. Some of the most common noise-inducing hearing loss symptoms include:

Inability to hear high-pitched sounds, like birds singing.

Muffled or distorted speech.

Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ear).

A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear.

Noise-induced hearing loss symptoms may last minutes, hours or days after noise exposure ends. But even if your hearing returns to normal, cells in the inner ear may still be destroyed. If enough healthy cells are left, your hearing will eventually come back. But as more cells are destroyed over time, hearing loss can become permanent.

What causes noise-induced hearing loss? NIHL occurs when the hair cells in your inner ear die. Once these hair cells are destroyed, they cannot grow back.

Noise-induced hearing loss may be caused by a single event, such as a loud explosion or gunshot. This type of NIHL can be immediate and permanent. In other instances, NIHL may be caused by exposure to loud noises over time. When this happens, you may go for weeks, months or even years before noticing symptoms, as they often occur gradually over time.

How long does it take noise-induced hearing loss to occur? It depends. In some cases, a single exposure to loud noise can cause immediate hearing loss. In other cases, symptoms may accumulate over several years. Research suggests that significant noise-induced hearing loss usually develops after 10 or more years of exposure.

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Halvard T. Eriksen, Age 52, Married, Bad Knees, and Worsening Hearing Loss

In a series of blog posts by Listen Technologies, channel partner Halvard Eriksen, a long-time AV integrator and sound engineer shares his own experience with hearing loss, hearing aids, and assistive listening systems. In this first post, he talks about the cumulative effect of noise on his hearing.

"I am a bassist and vocalist in various bands. If you’ve ever played in a band or been to a gig or rehearsal when everything gets too loud and you do not hear anything, you know it can be easy to get carried away by the atmosphere and groove," said Eriksen. "The volume goes up, and the mind goes out!"

Read the three-part series here. 

AV Industry Responds

Sennheiser offers touchless audio with MobileConnect—an assistive listening solution over Wi-Fi. Focusing on the education sector. MobileConnect offers a fully customizable hearing experience for students, who listen via their own smartphones. “The system has many advantages for students, but also for operators and universities,” said Kai Tossing, head of product management, Business Communication, Sennheiser. “To name just a couple: Operators can simply use the existing Wi-Fi for audio transmission and do not have to invest in separate technology such as induction loops; and students don’t have to sit in dedicated areas or use hardware which identifies them as being hard-of-hearing, for example.”

[ Sennheiser Launches New Software and Standalone Mode for MobileConnect ]

beyerdynamic UNITE is a wireless communication system conceived for a range of applications. From tour guides, through voice transmission for speeches, to interpreter applications, assistive listening, silent PA, blind audio description coverage, and wireless intercom uses, UNITE offers a complete wireless solution.

Broadcasting in the DECT frequencies, which eliminates licensing fees, UNITE offers 24 simultaneous channels, a talk-back option for up to three speakers per channel, AES 256 encryption, and an optional Access Point to coordinate your system with Dante, creating a seamless communications solution. UNITE can be adapted to individual requirements with a range of available components. For example, the Unite AP4 expansion component via access point creates a robust solution for fixed installation applications.

This digital platform opens new possibilities for improved dialog between people, regardless of when, where, and how they wish to communicate. UNITE connects people—even over large distances (up to a 980-foot radius), language barriers, or with sensory disabilities.

Listen Technologies’ ListenTALK lets users communicate in any environment, while following safe social distancing standards. The system features a small transceiver (combination transmitter/receiver) that users wear on a lanyard around their neck, accompanied by a venue-provided headset with microphone or users’ own headphones or earbuds with a built-in mic. Users press and hold a button on the transceiver to speak to just the leader or the group.

“With ListenTALK, listeners who do not understand the language of the presenter are not excluded from understanding what is said and sharing in the experience,” said Sam Nord, vice president of global sales at Listen Technologies. “Whether interpreters provide whispered, consecutive, liaison, simultaneous, or relay interpretation, we’ve made it easy to use ListenTALK and facilitate communication between groups that do not speak the same language.” 

Williams AV’s WaveCAST Dante assistive listening system delivers wireless audio to personal devices via a free app. A spokesperson for the company, said that one of the things that makes this solution unique is that it incorporates a professional audio DSP. “It’s got real professional audio inputs and outputs; it’s got the ability to be optimized for speech intelligibility, music, or for assistive listening. You can tweak it to match the facility and the environment,” he said. Up to four WaveCAST systems can be configured on the same Wi-Fi network, delivering audio to up to 45 listeners via unicast or 200 in multicast mode. WaveCAST Dante is based on Audinate’s Dante Ultimo UXT chipset that supports AES67 and SMPTE 2110. It can be controlled by Audinate’s Dante Controller for setup and management.

Biamp Crowd Mics transforms every smartphone into a personal microphone and interactive response system via a free iOS or Android app. By downloading the free app, audience members can share their thoughts and questions with the room without having to pass a mic or awkwardly line up to speak. They can also share these same thoughts and questions via text, allowing those with an aversion to public speaking to still take part in the conversation.

It’s just as important for students and meeting attendees to be heard as it is the presenter to be heard. With Crowd Mics Online, geographically diverse audience members can use their smartphones to connect with the event presenter as if they were in the same room. 

Audio Engineering Society (AES) Takes Note

In 2005, the Audio Engineering Society (AES) formed the AES Technical Committee on Hearing Loss and Prevention. Its mission statement:

1. Raising AES member awareness of the normal and abnormal functions of the hearing process.

2. Raising AES member awareness of the risk and consequences of hearing loss resulting from excessive sound exposure.

3. Coordinating and providing technical guidance for the AES supported hearing testing and consultation programs at US and European Conventions.

4. Facilitating the maintenance and refinement of a database of audiometric test results and exposure information on AES members.

5. Forging a cooperative union between AES members, audio equipment manufacturers and the hearing the hearing conservation communities for purposes of developing strategies, technologies, and tools to reduce and prevent hearing loss.

The committee is organizing its 4th International AES Conference on Hearing and Hearing Loss Prevention to take place sometime in 2022.

The What: miniDSP, manufacturer of digital signal processing platforms and solutions for a wide range of applications, has released the WI-DG Wi-Fi/Ethernet to USB bridge, 2.4GHz router.

The What Else: Available WI-DG support for plugin control (with IP field) includes: DDRC-24/2x4HD, miniDSP 2x8/8x8/4x10/10x10, C-DSP 6x8, C-DSP 8x12, miniSharc series, OpenDRC series, DDRC-88A/D, and nanoAVR HD/HDA..

Available WI-DG Supported platforms for Alexa voice control include: DDRC-24/2x4HD, miniDSP 2x8/8x8/4x10/10x10, C-DSP 6x8, C-DSP 8x12, miniSharc series, OpenDRC series, DDRC-22 series, DDRC-88A/D, and nanoAVR HD/HDA.

“Our new WI-DG is pre-configured for plug and play discovery and control over IP networks,” said Tony Rouget, miniDSP CEO. “Thanks to this pocket-size router, you can retrofit your favorite miniDSP processor to be remotely controlled from our Android/IoS app or plugin interface. We are very excited by this little workhorse.”

The WI-DG also supports Amazon Alexa voice control via miniDSP’s free Amazon Skill, another way to easily control your DSP platform to recall a preset, set the volume, or mute your audio system.

“By joining an existing Wi-Fi network to easily integrate an existing setup, WI-DG acts like a Wi-Fi access point with its own Wifi SSID,” Rouget continued. “It also features a web-enabled GUI, allowing for self discovery of a miniDSP platform on a network.”

The Bottom Line: The WI-DG 2.4GHz router supports Amazon Alexa and is pre-configured for plug and play discovery and control over IP networks. Well suited for retrofits, the processor can be remotely controlled from miniDSP’s Android/iOS app or plugin interface.