NEC Australia has joined forces with La Trobe University and Get Skilled Access on a project that will explore how new audio broadcast technology can improve accessibility for people with hearing loss in public transport and public spaces.

The project will investigate how Auracast™, a Bluetooth® technology that transmits audio directly to hearing aids, cochlear implants, earbuds, or smartphones, can complement existing hearing loops during a transition period. The aim is to ensure that vital information such as announcements and safety messages can be heard clearly and confidently by passengers with hearing loss.

The initiative will involve international research into best practice, co-design workshops with people with lived experience of hearing loss, engagement with industry stakeholders, and a real-world pilot in a public transport setting. Findings will inform future standards, guidelines, and policy to support the inclusive rollout of Auracast across Australia’s transport and civic infrastructure.

NEC Australia will contribute its smart transport expertise by integrating it to be part of passenger information systems, supporting the deployment of the technology, and managing pilot operations.

NEC’s Head of Smart Transport ANZ + Global Centre of Excellence Lead, Mark Messenger, said accessibility must be at the core of future transport networks:

“Public transport should give every person the freedom to travel with confidence. By working with iMOVE, NEC is exploring how audio technology can make journeys easier – not only for people with hearing loss, but for older passengers, visitors, and anyone who wants clearer, safer information. Together with La Trobe University and Get Skilled Access, we are helping ensure public transport meets the needs of every passenger and shaping a future that is truly inclusive for all.”

La Trobe University’s Centre for Technology Infusion will lead the project evaluation, while Get Skilled Access will provide lived-experience input and co-design expertise.

With around one in six Australians affected by hearing loss, and this number expected to double by 2060, the project represents a significant step towards building more inclusive transport and public infrastructure across the country.

The project is supported by the iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) through funding from its Impact Extension Program. iMOVE CRC brings together industry, government, and researchers to solve transport challenges, and its Impact Extension Program supports projects that are ready for real world trials.

Learn more Impact Extension Program - iMOVE Australia