Amazon Reveals Important Upgrades To Fire TV For Parallel Playback Via Hearing Aids And TV Speakers

Amazon reveals new accessibility features for Fire TV, with “Dual Audio” which supports hearing aids, and improved packaging for those with low vision issues.

December 19, 2024 9:00 AM

2 MIN TO READ

George King

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Amazon

esterday Amazon announced some new accessibility improvements for their Fire TV products, which will give the opportunity for viewers to listen via hearing

aids while others in the room can benefit from the whole standard experience of sound through the TV speakers.

Called “Dual Audio”, the new feature will be available for the new Fire TV series with the Omni Mini Led feature which was recently launched by the company in November. This represents an important Fire TV upgrade for people who are struggling with hearing loss, offering them the opportunity to enjoy along with family and friends the whole viewing experience without barriers.

It’s true that the previous Amazon Fire TV models also had Hearing Aids support (ASHA), but the recent model launched represents the first TV that offers audio playing in two outputs. Even though this Amazon Fire TV upgrade is currently available only for the newest model, Amazon states that is planning to make it available for other versions too.

Probably the most important aspect is that Amazon collaborated with WS Audiology which represents the manufacturer of hearing aids, in order to expand the support for other models such as Widex Moment BTE or RIC hearing aids. Now, these types of hearing devices will be compatible with the Fire TV Omni Mini Led Series, Fire TV Omni QLED Series, Fire TV Cube, Fire TV 4-Series, Fire TV 2-Series, and lastly with the Fire TV Omni Series.

Besides these significant improvements, Amazon also revealed a new design for its packaging in order to make it more inclusive for people who are struggling with low vision issues. So, from now on, some device packaging will have tactile-marked QR codes along with raised UV dots to improve visibility. These dots will be placed on the top left corner of the back panel inside the packaging where currently the Quick Start Guide can be found. After scanning the QR code, users will be able to access the Amazon.com website for more details and information about how to set up de device.
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“That’s critical so that customers who are blind or have low vision can easily find the code by touch,”, as Maiken Moeller-Hansen stated in the blog post.
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But these are not the only announcements that Amazon made as the company announced new packaging designs also for Echo, Kindle, and various Amazon Fire TV hardware, which use 30% more recycled fiber and 60% less ink compared with the previous packaging design.

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“That’s critical so that customers who are blind or have low vision can easily find the code by touch,”, as Maiken Moeller-Hansen stated in the blog post.
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