Question 1

Do all LE Audio-capable hearing aids support Auracast?

Accepted Answer

No. While some hearing aids are LE Audio-capable and have the hardware to support Auracast™, the Auracast™ feature may not yet be activated on them. For example, the following models currently support Unicast Audio (a one-to-one Bluetooth® LE Audio connection) but do not yet support Auracast™ broadcast streaming -

Rexton Reach
  Signia Pure Charge&Go IX / Styletto IX /  Active Pro IX
  Widex Allure
  Phonak Infinio Sphere 90 / Virto Infinio

These hearing aids have the technical foundation to handle Auracast™ and may receive the feature via future firmware updates from their manufacturers.

Question 2

Can QKAudio Broadcasters  transmit Auracast and Bluetooth Classic audio simultaneously?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, the answer is no. Broadcasters like HomeSpot BA210 cannot transmit Auracast broadcast stream and handle Bluetooth Classic audio at the same time. For BA210 v2, you can use the Multi-Function MFB button, rapidly press it 3 times (triple-press), to switch between the two audio transmit modes. The Broadcast Status LED on the left and the A2DP Status LED on the right, will show the status of the current mode. Broadcasters will keep in the same mode after power recycle.

However, for receivers, headphones and speakers powered by QKAudio, they will switch between Auracast broadcast stream and Bluetooth Classic audio intelligently. If there is a saved broadcast source, receivers will automatically try and connect to it upon power up.  When there is an incoming call, or if you play music from the paired mobile phone, the receiver will pause the broadcast and switch to the phone's audio temporary until it ends.

Question 3

Which hearing aids does BA210 AV Broadcaster support?

Accepted Answer

These hearing aids are known to be compatible with HomeSpot BA210 v2 Broadcasters and other Broadcasters powered by QKAudio in SQ mode:

Resound Nexia / Savia / Vivia / Enzo Q / Enzo IA
Jabra Enhance Pro 20 / Pro 30
Beltone Serene / Envision / Commence / Boost Max S
danalogic Extend
Danavox Brisa
Oticon Intent (firmware 1.3.0+)
Philips Hearlink 9050 (firmware 1.3.0+)
Bernafon Encanta (firmware 1.3.0+)

For the devices above, you will need to use the manufacturer's app to search and connect to the Auracast™ broadcast sources.  Also, you may have to upgrade their firmware before using Auracast™. E.g. firmware version 9.68.1+ is required for GN hearing aids.

For the devices below, you will need to run QK Assistant app (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/qk-assistant/id6737802790)(iOS only) or Broadcast Assistant BA function provided by Android phones like Samsung with One UI 6.1/7.0, or Pixel with Android 16:

Jabra Enhance Select 500 / 700
StarKey Edge AI / Omega AI
Audibel Vitality AI
Soundgear Soundamp Edge
These devices have been reported to work with BA210 v2. However, you have may need to use the Broadcast Assistant BA function provided by selected Android phones to enable Auracast reception:

Zepp Clarity Omni
Cochlear Baha 7 / Nucleus 8 sound processor 
Yeasound RIC800

Question 4

How do I configure BA210 v2 to work with GN Auracast hearing aids?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 - Set the BA210 to Broadcast mode.
Triple-press the MultiFunction MFB button rapidly (i.e., press the button 3 times within one second) on the BA210 to switch it to Broadcast mode. When in Broadcast mode, the Broadcast LED (left) will be either Blue or Orange.

https://youtu.be/YxljbqvdGcA (https://youtu.be/YxljbqvdGcA)

Step 2 - Set the BA210 to Open/SQ Broadcast mode.
While in Broadcast mode, press and hold the MFB button for 2 seconds to switch between Open/SQ (HA compatibility mode) and Encrypted/HQ mode. The Broadcast LED (left) will be either Solid Amber (Encrypted/HQ mode) or Solid Blue (Open/SQ mode). Use Open/SQ mode for broadcasting to hearing aids.

Step 3 - Use Broadcast Assistant to search for the BA210 broadcast.
Download and open the latest GN hearing aid app, such as Jabra Enhance Pro, ReSound Smart 3D, or Beltone HearMax. After connecting to your hearing aids, search for the BA210 AV Broadcaster audio stream.

Alternatively, you can use the QK Assistant app (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/qk-assistant/id6737802790)(iOS only) or the built-in BA function on Samsung Galaxy Android phones equipped with OUI 6.1/7.0, or Pixel 8/8Pro/9/9Pro. The QK Assistant app offers a One-Click feature that allows users to quickly listen to the broadcast.

Note: Make sure your GN hearing aids firmware is updated to 9.68.1 or later.

Question 5

I can get my hearing aids connect the to the Broadcaster, but sound is too loud.

Accepted Answer

Some hearing aids brands assume the volume level of Auracast audio streams to be significantly lower than that normal Bluetooth headphones expect. So, even if you set the volume in your  hearing aids app to the lowest, it may still be too loud. To tune down the volume to a comfortable level, use QK CastTool (http://qkaudio.com/webapp/qkcasttool)and adjust the SQ Volume Offset of the Broadcaster. Start with -30dB and gradually increase it (towards zero) until hitting a comfortable range.

Question 6

What are SQ and HQ modes?

Accepted Answer

HQ, or High Quality mode is Auracast™ streams encoded in 48K high quality sampling. It is good for demanding music streaming and movie listening.

SQ, or Standard Quality mode is 16K or 24K medium quality audio stream targeted at public broadcasting and hearing aid compatibility. SQ mode can handle clear voice transmission as well as music streaming with reasonable quality.

For Broadcasters like BA210 v2, while in Auracast™ mode, press and hold the Multi-Function MFB button at its back for 2 seconds to switch between HQ and SQ mode.  The Broadcast Status LED will show Amber if HQ mode, and Blue if SQ mode.

https://youtu.be/YxljbqvdGcA

Question 7

How to Identify BA210 v1 and v2?

Accepted Answer

BA210 v2 has three LED positions whereas v1 has only two.

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cfe899_66ba5d1b325a47f4909c4083528b7244~mv2.jpg

Question 8

How to set BA210 to Auracast Broadcast mode?

Accepted Answer

Triple-press the MultiFunction MFB button rapidly (i.e., press the button 3 times within one second) on the BA210 to switch it to Broadcast mode. When in Broadcast mode, the Broadcast LED (left) will be either Blue or Orange.

https://youtu.be/YxljbqvdGcA (https://youtu.be/YxljbqvdGcA)

FAQ