Bluetooth hearing aid benefits

Hearing aid users already have devices in their ears, so wearing separate earbuds is impractical. Enter Bluetooth® hearing aids, which let you stream audio via your hearing aids. You can listen to a song and answer an incoming phone call.

Most manufacturers now sell hearing aids with Bluetooth technology. This lets you pair your hearing aids with your smartphone, tablet, television, even your doorbell. For more on hearing aid brands that offer this feature, visit a hearing clinic near you.

What can Bluetooth hearing aids do?

With Bluetooth, you can take phone calls using your hearing aids as earpieces.This includes video calls like Skype and FaceTime. 

You can also listen to movies and music through your Bluetooth hearing aids. You can even connect your hearing aids to your doorbell so you never miss a visit.

Remote control of your hearing aids

Most Bluetooth hearing aids come with apps you can use to control your hearing aids.

Apps like Oticon RemoteCare or myPhonak help you perform essential tasks. You can adjust the volume on your hearing aids and change the pre-set programs without needing to touch your hearing aids. They can also help your hearing professional access and program your hearing aids remotely. 

Speak to your audiologist or hearing specialist for more on these apps and features.

Location services

Both iOs and Android support apps to help you locate your hearing aids if you lose them. The app uses the established Bluetooth connection to locate your hearing aids nearby.

Other ways you can use Bluetooth

Many manufacturers offer separate streamers that can connect to your Bluetooth hearing aids. With a small box connected to your television, you can stream audio from your TV to your hearing aids. This is a great solution for those who have difficulty hearing the TV, even with hearing aids. It also helps family members bothered by the high volume of the TV.

With Bluetooth technology, you can also use a streamer or phone as a microphone. When the person wears it, the microphone will amplify his or her voice over other sounds around you.

Will it drain my battery?

The added ability of Bluetooth hearing aids can put a strain on the hearing aid battery. Hearing aids with low-energy (LE) Bluetooth technology solve much of this. They produce higher quality sound with less energy. However, if you plan to use Bluetooth a lot, talk to your hearing care provider about how to avoid battery drain.

How does Bluetooth work?

Bluetooth is a communication technology that provides a variety of wireless solutions. You can listen to audio wirelessly, get your hearing aids programmed remotely, and find your hearing aids if you lose them.

Made for iPhone™ hearing aids can directly connect to iOS (iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, etc.) 

If your Android device is 10.0 or higher, certain hearing aids can connect to it. Earlier versions of Android may need a separate streamer to use Bluetooth.

Can I use Bluetooth hearing aids on a plane?

Generally, as long as your device is on airplane mode, you can use your Bluetooth hearing aids on a plane.

Still, these rules can vary depending on the airline. Here are the rules for Bluetooth use on some popular Canadian airlines:

• Air Canada - Bluetooth may be used only on flights with Wi-Fi
• WestJet - Wi-Fi can be used when the plane reaches 10,000 feet. Bluetooth is likely okay at this height as well
• Porter Airlines - Bluetooth can be used during the flight. It must remain off for taxi, take-off and landing

Please check with your airline to confirm their rules and regulations.

New Bluetooth technology: Auracast™

This year, Bluetooth introduced a feature called Auracast. It allows more than one device to connect to a single audio broadcast. Before this, Bluetooth was a one-to-one connection. Once Auracast is widely available, you will be able to:

• Switch between Bluetooth connections as easily as you switch Wi-Fi
• Stream airport announcements to your hearing aids so you never miss your flight
• Connect your hearing aids to public audio broadcasts like bar TVs or TVs in clinics
• Share what you are listening to with other Bluetooth hearing aids and headsets
• Stream audio via Bluetooth in both ears even with unilateral hearing loss
• Hear clearer in auditoriums without the use of telecoil

You can join an audio broadcast through a simple Wi-Fi-similar search on your phone. You can also access Auracast by scanning a QR code or tapping as you would to pay with a card.

Note: though many of the top brands offer Auracast-compatible hearing aids, Auracast isn't widely available yet. You will need to wait a bit longer to experience the full capabilities of this budding technology.

Hearing aid wearers benefit in many ways from Bluetooth technology. Ask your hearing professional about Bluetooth hearing aids and how they can help you.

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