Planetarium Installed New Hearing Assistance System
The St. Louis facility deployed Auracast technology to resolve persistent audio challenges in its 150-seat theater.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Space
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On July 18, 2026, the James S. McDonnell Planetarium in St. Louis completed the installation of an Auracast-based audio system in the Bill and Laura Orthwein StarBay Theater. This upgrade replaced a previous assistive system that struggled with the facility's concrete construction.
Why it matters
The upgrade addresses structural acoustic limitations, enabling more inclusive access for guests with hearing loss in a space where previous hardware failed to perform. The move aligns with the institution's operational expansion as it scales toward a target of 100,000 annual visitors.
The system features a two-channel transmitter capable of broadcasting two simultaneous audio streams to Auri receivers, neckloops, or personal devices. The receivers are configured to automatically power on and tune to the correct channel upon removal from their docking stations.
The players
James S. McDonnell Planetarium
A St. Louis-based science education facility that serves 80,000 to 90,000 visitors annually.
Bill and Laura Orthwein StarBay Theater
A 150-capacity theater within the planetarium that recently underwent an accessibility-focused audio upgrade.
The details
The theater installed eight receivers, two docking stations, and a two-channel transmitter to overcome signal issues caused by the theater's concrete structure and seating layout. Auracast is a Bluetooth technology that allows a single transmitter to broadcast high-quality audio to an unlimited number of compatible receivers or personal hearing devices simultaneously. This replaces an older, less reliable assistive setup that could not adequately penetrate the venue's dense architectural materials.
Timeline
July 18, 2026: The StarBay Theater reopened with the new system.
The Tech Race
The installation marks a departure from fragmented, proprietary assistive listening hardware toward the standardized, high-efficiency Bluetooth Auracast protocol. This move positions the venue among the first to adopt a technology increasingly seen as the successor to traditional infrared and loop systems.
Visitors with hearing loss can now access audio through provided Auri receivers or their own compatible personal devices. The system ensures clearer audio quality during the theater's standard 45-minute presentations.
The takeaway
The planetarium's move toward Auracast highlights the shift toward consumer-standardized assistive audio in large, acoustically challenging venues. Watch for future attendance figures to determine if this accessibility upgrade correlates with the projected growth to 100,000 annual guests.
Further reading
For broader trends in astronomical venue technology, see our coverage of Space.
Source note: This article includes information reported by FOH | Front of House Magazine.
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