All About Bluetooth Hearing Aids

Do you remember the hearing aids your parents or grandparents used to wear? They were large, cumbersome, and prone to feedback. Today’s hearing aids lead the way in computer miniaturization and digital technology. Along with enhanced sound quality and expert programing based on a hearing exam today’s hearing aids have a plethora of amazing features which improve ease and quality of hearing in your daily life. This includes directional microphones to make it easier to hear the person you are facing in noisy rooms, artificial intelligence to adapt automatically to different listening situations and water resistance for those who love to get out and stay active in the great outdoors. However, by far one of the most amazing features in new hearing aids is Bluetooth connectivity.

What is Bluetooth Technology?

Bluetooth technology uses short-range radio waves to provide wireless communication to all your favorite technology. This means no wires are needed to connect your smartphone to your stereo, TV, home environmental control system and a wide range of other devices. This wireless technology has changed the way we interact with the devices in our life providing adaptable connections which are less cumbersome with wire free connection.

Bluetooth and hearing aids

Hearing aids lead the way in Bluetooth connectivity. Wireless connection means that you can connect your hearing aids to audio on your TV, stereo, car radio, and smartphone without wires. This not only offers the convivence of wire free connection but means you can listen to your favorite media with the prescribed programming of your hearing aids. This means the tones and audio frequencies you struggle with are amplified on all your media devices providing enhanced sound.

What if my hearing aids can't connect?

Not all hearing aids come with Bluetooth technology. While this expected to change in the next decade for now there is a solution, even if your hearing aids don’t come with Bluetooth. Wireless hearing aids are often compatible with assistive listening devices, known as streamers. Streamers provide a communication link between wireless technology in the hearing aids and any Bluetooth-enabled device.  This allows the streamer to pick up the Bluetooth signal from your phone, and send it, for example, to your hearing aid via an FM signal or electromagnetic field, depending on the hearing aid design. The streamer is most often worn around the neck or placed in a pocket to allow for hands-free operation.

Benefits of Bluetooth?

What is not to love about Bluetooth connectivity? Here are just some of the benefits:

• Personalized listening experience: You can program your hearing aid to automatically connect to all your favorite devices. For instance, when you turn on the TV or car stereo, the audio will automatically connect to your hearing aids. This allows you to hear the GPS navigator through your hearing aids, so you don’t miss a turn and watch the TV at a level you like without interrupting others around you.
• Multiple connections: The beauty of Bluetooth is its adaptability between devices. Aside from being able to connect to your smartphone, stereo, TV and more, multiple devices can be paired to one streamer. This allows you to easily switch between different devices. This allows you to watch TV but for the audio signal to automatically switch to your telephone if an important call comes through.
• Remote control of your hearing aids: Most hearing aids today come with an accompanying app on your smartphone. This allows you to control your hearing aids via your smartphone. You can adjust the programing, volume, and check on diagnostics via
• Bluetooth connectivity: For those with dexterity issues, volume control and shifting to different programs using your smartphone leads to greater accessibility. It even gives your hearing healthcare professional the ability to adjust your hearing aids’ listening program remotely, skipping a long drive to the office.

Bluetooth is today's cutting-edge technology

With the addition of Bluetooth technology in hearing aids, the listening experience for millions has been elevated, allowing for a highly personalized, custom listening experience If you are interested in finding out more about Bluetooth technology, don’t hesitate to contact us today for a free consultation. We have many models of hearing loss to enhance your hearing and your ease of use.