Introduction to Bluetooth Hearing Aids

Bluetooth hearing aids are a modern advancement in hearing technology, allowing users to connect seamlessly to their smartphones, tablets, and other Bluetooth-enabled devices. This innovation enhances the hearing experience by streaming audio directly into the hearing aids, making phone conversations, music, and podcasts clearer and more enjoyable.

Benefits of Bluetooth Hearing Aids

Bluetooth hearing aids offer numerous advantages:

Convenient Connectivity: Effortlessly connect to your smartphone or other devices for hands-free calls and audio streaming, without the need of an intermediary device.

Enhanced Sound Quality: Enjoy better clarity during phone calls or watching TV and enjoy richer details in your favourite music.

Customization: Control volume, adjust settings, and personalize your listening experience with a companion app.

Increased Engagement: Add a remote microphone accessory and easily focus on one person in a busy gathering, or hear a speaker in a lecture hall clearly from a distance.

How Do Bluetooth Hearing Aids Work?

Bluetooth hearing aids can be connected directly to many smartphones and devices through a Bluetooth pairing process. Once connected, the hearing aids will automatically switch into Bluetooth streaming mode when you accept a phone call or listen to music – all while providing you continued awareness of your surroundings.

Even without a smartphone, hearing aid users can take advantage of Bluetooth connectivity with additional hearing aid accessories. A TV streamer delivers audio directly into the hearing aids, without compromising clarity. A speaker at the church or a seminar can wear a remote microphone paired to your hearing aids, so you can hear them clearly even if you sit at the back of the room.

What Is the Range of Bluetooth Connectivity for Hearing Aids?

The typical range for Bluetooth hearing aids is about 9 meters (30 feet), but this can vary depending on the environment and any physical obstructions, such as walls and doors.

Types of Bluetooth Hearing Aids

What Are the Different Styles of Bluetooth Hearing Aids Available?

Bluetooth hearing aids are available in various styles:

Behind-the-Ear (BTE): For people with severe to profound hearing loss, every speech sound matters. Bluetooth connectivity delivers speech directly into these powerful hearing aids, which makes phone calls and TV dialogue clearer and easier to understand.

Receiver-in-the-Eat (RITE): Lightweight and discreet, these hearing aids balance natural sound quality and Bluetooth audio streaming.

In-the-Ear (ITE): Custom made to fit securely the ears, these hearing aids provide clear and rich Bluetooth sound quality.
Completely-in-Canal (CIC): Due to the small size of these devices, Bluetooth streaming is not an option, however, certain hearing aid models can still be connected to a smartphone app for volume adjustments.

How Do I Choose the Right Bluetooth Hearing Aid for My Needs?

When selecting a Bluetooth hearing aid, consider the following factors:

Degree of Hearing Loss: Consult with a hearing professional to help better understand your hearing condition and needs.

Lifestyle: Consider your daily activities and in which situations you would like to improve your hearing. Bluetooth connectivity can improve hearing on a phone conversation, on the TV, or a speaker from a distance.

Comfort and Fit: Ensure the style you choose is comfortable for long-term wear.

Widex SmartRIC Hearing Aids - Black

Bluetooth Hearing Aid Features

All major hearing aid manufacturers now offer Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids.

TV Connectivity: All hearing aid manufacturers offer a companion TV streaming accessory, so the sound of your TV program is delivered directly into your hearing aids, even if you move a short distance away from the TV.

Battery Life: Bluetooth hearing aids are available in a rechargeable or battery-operated option. On a single charge, rechargeable hearing aids typically about 16-18 hours with 5 hours of Bluetooth streaming. Battery-operated hearing aids typically require a battery replacement in 4-5 days with 5 hours of daily Bluetooth streaming.

Fully hands-free phone calls: Certain hearing aid models paired with compatible phones allow users to accept and end phone calls on their hearing aids. With a fully hands-free feature, hearing aid users can walk away from their phone and still continue their conversation, as the hearing aid microphones pick up the user’s voice.

Switch seamlessly between multiple Bluetooth devices: For hearing aid users with more than one device, such as a phone and tablet, or a personal and work phone, certain hearing aid models can remember multiple devices and actively switch between up to two devices.

Signia Styletto AX rechargeable hearing aids

Widex SmartRIC hearing aids - Honey Blonde

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Common Questions About Bluetooth Hearing Aids

How Do I Pair My Bluetooth Hearing Aids with My Devices?

Confirm your device is compatible with your hearing aids*

To pair your Bluetooth hearing aids, follow these steps:

1. Power off and reboot your smartphone or device.

2. Turn your hearing aids off and on.

3. On your device, go to Settings and find Bluetooth Connections*. Turn on your Bluetooth.

*For MFi hearing aids, go to Settings > Accessibility > Hearing Devices.

4. Select your hearing aid(s) in the available devices section and press Pair.

5. You may hear confirmation tone in your hearing aids. Try a phone call or music to check that sound is coming through properly. You may need to adjust the volume on the side of your phone

* For audio streaming to smartphones, Apple iPhones must be iPhone 5 or newer (iOS 15.2) and Android phones must have OS Android 11 or higher with ASHA protocol. Please note, there are certain Android brands that are not compatible with hearing aids. Tablets must have Apple MFi or Android ASHA protocol. Consult your hearing professional for details.

What Should I Do If My Bluetooth Hearing Aids Are Not Connecting, or the Connection is Intermittent?

Occasionally, the hearing aids may stop connecting to your device, or the audio streaming may be intermittent.

Ensure that your hearing aids are on, working, and clear of debris or earwax.

Restart your device.

Turn off and on the Bluetooth setting on your device.

Can I Use Bluetooth Hearing Aids with Multiple Devices?

Most Bluetooth hearing aids will actively connect to 1 Bluetooth device at a time. At the moment, only hearing aids by Phonak are able to actively connect to and automatically switch between 2 Bluetooth devices without having to manually disable Bluetooth on one of the devices.

Can my Bluetooth hearing aids connect to my landline home phone?

Landline or home phones typically do not have Bluetooth capability. However, a dedicated phone program may be added to your hearing aids to improve call quality. There are certain home phone models that can connect to Bluetooth hearing aids. Ask your local clinic for more information.

Understanding the features and benefits of Bluetooth hearing aids can better personalize your hearing experience. Please contact your local clinic for more information and our hearing professionals will guide you to the most suitable treatment option for your hearing needs.

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By booking your hearing test with a trusted hearing healthcare professional, you are taking the first and most important step on a journey that will reintroduce you to the world of sound and the joys of communication

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