Yes — if your TV supports simultaneous audio output.
Whether your TV speakers can keep playing while you listen through headphones or hearing aids depends mainly on your TV's audio capabilities and settings.
Important: This is primarily a TV feature
An Avantree transmitter can receive audio from the output your TV provides, but it cannot force the TV to keep its built-in speakers on. Some TVs can play through their speakers while also sending audio through Optical, HDMI ARC/eARC, AUX, or Bluetooth. Other TVs automatically mute their speakers when an external audio output is selected.
Not sure whether your TV supports it?
That's okay — you don't need to know before you start. Try the connection first and see how your TV behaves. If your TV and Avantree product both support Optical, we recommend trying Optical first.
Try This First
This quick test will help you find out whether your TV can play through its speakers and an external audio output at the same time.
Test with the Optical connection
Optical is usually the easiest connection to test first.
You're all set. Your TV is sending audio through Optical while keeping its built-in speakers active.
Your TV may require a simultaneous-output setting, or it may not support TV Speaker + Optical output at the same time.
What the Setup Looks Like
If your TV supports simultaneous TV Speaker + Optical output:
Which Connection Can I Use?
Whether the TV speakers can stay on still depends on your specific TV.
Check your TV's Digital Audio Format and try setting it to PCM. This is separate from whether your TV supports simultaneous TV Speaker + Optical audio.
If the TV Speakers Turn Off
Check the TV's audio settings first — not the Avantree transmitter.
Look under Settings → Sound / Audio
The exact wording varies by TV brand and model. Look for settings such as:
Common Questions
My headphones have sound, but the TV speakers stopped. Is the Avantree transmitter causing this?
Usually, no. This normally means the TV switched to the external audio output and disabled its built-in speakers.
Check the TV's Sound settings for a simultaneous or multi-output audio option. The Avantree transmitter cannot override the TV's audio-output behavior.
Does Optical guarantee that my TV speakers will stay on?
No. Optical is often the first connection we recommend trying, but TV Speaker + Optical output still depends on your TV.
Some TVs output Optical audio while their speakers remain active. Others require a special setting or turn their speakers off.
Can I use Bluetooth headphones and my TV speakers at the same time?
Only if your TV supports simultaneous Bluetooth and internal-speaker audio. Some TVs call this Multi-output Audio or use similar wording.
If the TV does not support this feature, connecting Bluetooth headphones directly to the TV may automatically mute its speakers.
Can changing a setting on my Avantree device turn the TV speakers back on?
Generally, no. Your TV determines whether its built-in speakers remain active while it sends audio through Optical, HDMI, AUX, or Bluetooth.
If the TV speakers turn off, check the TV's audio-output settings first.
What if my TV does not support simultaneous audio?
In that case, the standard connection may not allow the TV speakers and headphones or hearing aids to play at the same time.
Other options may be possible depending on your TV, soundbar, AV receiver, and the other equipment in your setup.
Your Avantree device handles the headphone or hearing-aid connection. Your TV determines whether its own speakers can stay on while sending audio through another output.
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