Big Sky Audiology Clinic Team of Billings
Big Sky Audiology, a Billings audiology clinic donated the Auracast transmitter that went live at Billings Studio Theatre
BILLINGS, MT, UNITED STATES, September 14, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Big Sky Audiology Clinic has purchased and given an Auracast transmitter to Billings Studio Theatre, with the system now operational just in time for the venue’s staging of “Come From Away.” This equipment links to the theatre’s soundboard and transmits performance audio straight to compatible hearing aids, cochlear implants, headphones, and earbuds, enabling guests with hearing impairments to use the devices they already own. The Billings-based clinic covered both the equipment and installation expenses and has stated its intention to extend the same offer to other venues seeking this technology.
Local news outlet KTVQ covered the setup on the same day, highlighting that this donated system replaces an assistive listening arrangement the theatre had relied on since around 2015. That previous method, typical of many venues nationwide, forced patrons to pick up a receiver and headset at the entrance, then listen through borrowed gear instead of a device calibrated for their specific hearing loss. Auracast does away with the checkout process entirely. A person wearing hearing aids in Billings, MT can simply sit down, connect to the broadcast much like a phone joins a Wi-Fi network, and enjoy the performance without having to disclose that they require assistance.
Understanding Auracast Broadcast Audio Technology
Auracast broadcast audio technology represents an advancement in Bluetooth audio that enables a single transmitter to deliver sound to an unlimited number of compatible receiving devices simultaneously. Older hearing loop systems depended on a hearing aid equipped with a telecoil and functioned only for individuals whose devices included that feature.
Auracast has no such limitation. Any device that supports Auracast can access the stream, meaning the same transmitter serves a guest with high-end hearing aids, another with a cochlear implant processor, and yet another using standard consumer earbuds, all during a single performance.
From a venue’s perspective, the net result is that accessibility becomes integrated into the space rather than a separate service desk. There’s no stock of receivers to charge, clean, or swap out between shows, and no cap on how many audience members can utilize the system simultaneously. For attendees, dialogue and music come through without the echo, distance, and surrounding crowd noise that make large spaces challenging for those with hearing loss.
The initiative kicked off in July, when the clinic reached out to the theatre’s managing director to suggest the enhancement. Theatre personnel connected the transmitter to the main sound system, and it was up and running for the premiere of “Come From Away” on September 11, the second performance of the theatre’s 74th season.
A Billings Audiology Clinic Extending Beyond the Exam Room
Big Sky Audiology Clinic approached the theatre project as an extension of patient care rather than a marketing move. Fitting a patient with hearing technology addresses only part of the challenge, but the effectiveness of that fitting hinges on whether the spaces a patient wishes to visit are designed to accommodate it. A theatre, a place of worship, or a lecture hall that broadcasts to personal devices transforms quality hearing technology into an enjoyable night out.
For Dr. Tracy Hayden, Au.D., who established the clinic and has spent 33 years in audiology, with 27 of those in the Billings area, this work centers on helping patients remain engaged with the activities they had begun to abandon.
“Hearing loss should never be the reason someone stops enjoying live theatre or participating in their community,” said Dr. Tracy Hayden, Founder of Big Sky Audiology.
Clinic audiologist Dr. Kelsi Prosser has framed the improvement in terms of audio clarity. Sound traveling directly from the board to the listener’s device bypasses the room’s acoustic interference, which is the primary source of listening difficulties in a large hall. This straight path is why Auracast marks a fundamental shift rather than just an incremental upgrade to earlier systems.
The clinic views Billings Studio Theatre as just the beginning and has expressed hope that other local venues will embrace the technology. Wider adoption also gives patients a tangible incentive to inquire about Auracast compatibility when shopping for new devices.
This theatre collaboration complements the clinic’s standard services, which include diagnostic hearing assessments, hearing aid selection and fitting, tinnitus management, cochlear implant support, vestibular and balance testing, and earwax removal. Patients considering an upgrade can ask whether a potential device includes Auracast certification, a consideration that will grow in importance as more venues in Billings and across Montana implement the standard.
About Big Sky Audiology Clinic
Big Sky Audiology Clinic is an independently owned audiology clinic in Billings, Montana, founded by Dr. Tracy Hayden, Au.D. The clinic offers hearing evaluations, hearing aid selection and fitting, tinnitus treatment, hearing implant evaluation, vestibular and balance testing, and earwax removal, serving patients from Billings and surrounding communities. It partners with local groups to broaden hearing accessibility in public settings. They are an A+ rated audiology practice with the BBB.
Dr. Tracy Hayden
Big Sky Audiology
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