Android/IOS app for ALS

[rickd47]

Is there an app for smart phones that allows them to receive the 72 to 75Mhz assistive listening system (ALS) RF frequency? This would allow the phone to pair (blue tooth) with hearing aids without having a dongle or neck loop?

[russellhltn]

Is there an app for smart phones that allows them to receive the 72 to 75Mhz assistive listening system (ALS) RF frequency? This would allow the phone to pair (blue tooth) with hearing aids without having a dongle or neck loop?

The vast majority of phones don't have a radio receiver for 72 MHz. No amount of software can overcome that.

However, the church is rolling out ListenWiFi. With a downloaded app and a connection to the church WiFi, you can listen on your phone. It's shown up at our stake center, and likely some buildings in our area. But I have no idea what the rollout schedule looks like.

[damonpatrickridley]

Is “ListenWi-Fi” going to be rolled out church wide? I’ve only found that it was rolled out to 125 meeting houses in the US at the beginning of 2025. It says they’ll make a decision at the end of 2025 but I haven’t been able to find anything on that. Today is November 23rd, 2025.

I’m hoping this is something they’re going to do because I use my hearing aids for just about everything. I got my first set of hearing aids when I was 40, I went so far as to switch over to an iPhone because at the time with the brand of hearing is I bought would only work directly with an iPhone. If I wanted to use a Samsung or other phone, I would have to buy the box that hangs on the neck. I did eventually get that box, call the “connect clip” for Oticon brand hearing aids, so I could use my hearing aids with my Polycom desk/office phone. My most recent purchase was the Oticon box that connects to my TV. For some it might seem silly but if you try to use live listen with hearing aids on the TV, there’s a latency problem so you get this “echo“. With this new box, that’s not a problem.

I haven’t been able to figure out how to use my Oticon “connect is clip” with the meeting house audio system(this doesn’t mean it won’t work with it, it just means that I can’t figure out how to make it work together), so I’m hoping something like “listenWi-Fi” will soon be available for all meeting houses.

Also, am I to understand that “listenWi-Fi“ will be able to translate as well?

[russellhltn]

Is “ListenWi-Fi” going to be rolled out church wide?

To be determined. Our building just got it a month ago and we're told it was a pilot project. Just two buildings out of the 20 or so in our area.

As for your present situation, ask around for a Comtek or Listen receiver. They operate on 72MHz and support neck loops.

Also, am I to understand that “listenWi-Fi“ will be able to translate as well?

The "transmitters" are multi-channel, so they'll be able to carry translation channels, but they don't do the translation.

[rickd47]

I wonder if the new Listen-Wi-Fi will be developed around WIFI 7 or higher?

[russellhltn]

It's a networked device. It operates over the Liahona APs. Right now, our buildings have Meraki MR36 which does not support WiFi 7.

Depending on how WiFi 7 handles having older devices on the network, we may not see any advantage of using it except in a near empty building.

[rickd47]

Is there an update to the deployment of MH-02-01 ALS systems

[russellhltn]

It was only announced and demoed to our leaders 4 weeks ago as a pilot project. I wouldn't expect wide deployment for quite some time. It may end up failing. There are challenges.

[rickd47]

Yes. One of them, I believe, may be in the delay of translation/emulation/conversion of the sound of the audio source to match the visual of the one speaking. Even with the current ALS system there is a very slight delay.

[russellhltn]

The current ALS system is all analog. I would not think the delay would be perceivable. If anything, the sound from the speakers would be delayed due to the high ceilings.

There is a noticeable lag in the Listen WiFi. Enough to make it an echo. I don't think it would an issue for translation unless you're within earshot of the translator.