Amazon has launched new accessibility features on its Fire TV devices, including a notable “Dual Audio” capability on the newly released Fire TV Omni Mini-LED Series. This feature allows one user to listen through a hearing aid while others in the same room can enjoy audio through the TV’s built-in speakers.
The Dual Audio feature is significant for hard-of-hearing users, enabling them to share a more communal viewing experience with friends and family while watching TV shows or movies. Although several existing Fire TV devices already have Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids (ASHA) support, this is the first model that can play audio in two different outputs.
Amazon has also expanded ASHA support to include a wider variety of hearing aids, including Widex Moment BTE and RIC models. Users with these devices can now stream audio directly from ASHA-enabled Fire TV devices.
Furthermore, Amazon has introduced new packaging designed to help customers who are blind or have low vision. Certain device packaging features tactile-marked QR codes that include raised UV dots for better visibility. These updated packages are available on selected Fire TVs, Echo Show models, and various Kindle devices, including the Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Colorsoft, and Kindle Scribe.
The new Dual Audio feature is exclusive to the Fire TV Omni Mini-LED Series and will be launching soon. Amazon’s efforts aim to make its devices more accessible for users with disabilities, providing a better viewing experience for hard-of-hearing individuals.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2024/12/18/amazon-fire-tv-introduces-dual-audio-feature-for-simultaneous-listening-via-hearing-aids-and-tv-speakers