We have been getting more and more calls to add headphones to systems as clients are getting older and hearing is becoming an issue. AVR's no longer have analog out that's a fixed volume, zone 2 would work but most times is used for house audio, zone 3 will usually not pass a digital decoded signal.

Last job we used an HDMI 4x1 switch with audio extraction and sent HDMI out to cable/sat input with Coax audio, then send optical out to the headphone/hearing aid transmitter and seemed to work 90% of the time...would get black picture on tv when system powered on then require a shut down and restart.

We are now at the point where when we take a call about headphones or hearing aids on a system we tell them sorry cant add them.

What AVRs are you using?

Various, Marantz, Yamaha, sony, Denon or customers

Most systems today all have Bluetooth built in. Either in RX mode or TX mode, some even can do both at the same time with dual radios.

This includes TVs, AVRs, and some source devices.

Check manual for the device. You mention Yamaha AV receivers. Just did one for a client not long ago, JBL headphones to a Yamaha A2A.

We have tried that a few times but sync would get turned off or reset and lose connection. Explaining how to go thru menu to re enable to an 80 yr old isn’t easy. 1st time they say no problem then you get the calls at 7pm 2 nights later asking how to do it again and then again a few more nights later. I don’t have time for that.

Some of the jobs the clients have hearing aides with their own transmitter that’s proprietary to the aides. Last one had analog or optical in. Tried BT from Marantz and hearing aides wouldn’t see it. Only see the base unit. Maybe we just start saying no the headphones/hearing aides.