Ampetronic and Listen Technologies’ Auri system, an Auracast broadcast audio-based assistive listening solution, has been permanently installed at Brighton station in the UK — marking a milestone for audio accessibility in the country’s rail network.
Listen Technologies and Ampetronic announced the permanent installation of their co-developed Auri assistive listening system at Brighton station in the UK. Sponsored by Southern, Thameslink, and Gatwick Express railways — all operating under Greater Thameslink Railway (GTR) — the installation represents the permanent deployment of Auracast broadcast audio technology in a UK railway station.
The Auri system enables passengers with Auracast-enabled hearing aids, cochlear implants, headphones, or earbuds to receive station announcements directly in their devices. Using Auri TX2N 2-channel transmitters installed throughout Brighton station, audio is broadcast over low-latency, long-range Auracast signals. Passengers access the broadcasts by selecting them through their smartphones, much like connecting to a Wi-Fi network — at no cost.
Auracast can be controlled on smartphones at Brighton station. Photo: Listen Technologies
The 185-year-old, Grade II* listed Brighton station presents a particularly challenging acoustic environment, with high noise levels that can make public announcements difficult to hear. The Auri system filters background noise and delivers audio directly to compatible devices, improving clarity for passengers with hearing loss. The technology can also benefit neurodiverse passengers, those requiring language interpretation, and people with visual impairments.
GTR hosted a demonstration event at Brighton station on July 8 for members of the Brighton Hearing Loss Group. Attendees reported experiencing clear audio and expressed confidence in their ability to hear station announcements using the system.
“We’re proud to bring the future of assistive listening to this busy, historic rail station with a permanent installation of our Auracast-based solution, Auri,” says Jonathon Hoskin, division sales manager – specialist solutions at Ampetronic | Listen Technologies, in a release. “It’s been wonderful working with GTR on this project, and they are to be commended for their leadership in advancing audio accessibility in Brighton station. By implementing Auracast, they are making it easier, safer, and more comfortable for people with hearing loss to travel.”
Hoskin also noted that Google contributed insight into user onboarding methodologies, helping inform the team’s understanding of current device capabilities and future developments.
Carl Martin, accessibility lead for Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express, says in a release: “We’re constantly looking for innovative ways to make it easier for everyone to travel on our network, particularly our disabled passengers. This fabulous technology will have a huge impact, overcoming the difficulty of hearing announcements in our beautiful but acoustically very challenging, noisy station at Brighton.”
The installation follows a trial of Auracast broadcast audio technology at Bristol Temple Meads station, where the Auri system was featured as part of a broader evaluation of the technology in public buildings. The Brighton station deployment marks the transition from trial to permanent infrastructure for UK rail accessibility.
Listen Technologies has been providing wireless listening solutions for 28 years. Ampetronic is a global leader in hearing loop systems. The two companies have collaborated closely on Auracast-based assistive listening solutions, positioning themselves at the forefront of next-generation audio accessibility technology.
Featured image: Hearing aid users will find station announcements broadcast direct to their devices at Brighton station thanks to the Auracast system. Photo: Listen Technologies