Development of assistive listening technology best practices for live music

The prevalence of hearing loss in the Canadian population increases significantly with age, affecting 65% of individuals in their seventies. While hearing aids can be helpful in some social settings, they are often ill-suited for listening to live music in venues like concert halls—especially when assistive systems rely on inadequate or incompatible wireless headsets. This project will explore alternative assistive listening technologies that transmit audio signals directly to hearing aid processors via magnetic or radio-frequency connections.
In partnership with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and hearing aid manufacturer Sonova, the study will examine how sound quality and naturalness are influenced by microphone placement within the concert hall, audio processing techniques, and the integration of the external audio feed with microphones. The findings will inform a set of best practices for music venues across Canada and internationally, removing barriers to live music participation for individuals with hearing loss and enhancing social engagement, connectedness, and well-being.