Why Should You Try Iphone Or Ipad Compatible Hearing Aids
There are plenty of great things about combining your Apple communications devices with high-quality hearing aids. Between them, the two pieces of technology can result in better hearing and a higher quality of life. With your iPhone or iPad acting as a microphone, you will be able to set up environments that are much better suited to easy conversation, or hear things like presentations more easily.
Its also worth noting that theres a difference between Apple phones and Android phones when were talking about hearing. While you can stream audio from Android phones to hearing aids, you will usually need a Bluetooth device to act as an intermediary. With iPhones, you just stream directly from one device to another a much more convenient solution. Not everyone will need to fuse phones and hearing aids.
However, its an option that hearing-impaired people can use, and should consider if they are Apple users. Get in touch, and we will help you find the right hearing aid to make the most of your iPad or iPhone.
Using Your Hearing Aids With A Smartphone
Many hearing aids can now connect to your smartphone to enhance your overall hearing experience. Here are a few of the features you may be able to use with your hearing aids and smartphone:
- Stream phone calls directly to your hearing aids*
- Stream audio, such as music or driving directions, directly to your hearing aids*
- Change left and right volume together or separately
- Switch between the programs or memories set by your provider
- Find lost hearing aids
- Check battery status
- Control hearing aid accessories like a TV streamer or remote mic
The steps to using your smartphone with your hearing aids varies by model of hearing aid and by smartphone. Here are some general principles to help you get started.
Improve Your Quality Of Life
Bluetooth hearing aids wirelessly connect to your smartphone, TV, computer, and more allowing you to stream HD quality audio directly to your hearing aids. The future is finally hear!
Modern hearing aids improve your quality of life by delivering brilliant sound quality during conversations. Bluetooth hearing aids, on the other hand, do that and deliver incredible sound quality streamed wirelessly from your electronic devices. In the past, hearing aids had trouble picking up sound from phone receivers. These sounds were over amplified and not fine-tuned, causing hearing aids to whistle.
Read Also: How To Sign Hi In Sign Language
Limitations Of Iphone And Android Devices
- In late 2019, iPhone and Android wireless compatibility is available primarily in behind-the-ear hearing aids.
- Some large in-the-ear hearing aids have these wireless features but availability depends exclusively on the size of your ear.
- As time passes, and technology shrinks, we expect that smartphone compatibility will be available in smaller ear canal devices.
The Technology Behind Made For Iphone And Ipad Hearing Aids
Made for iPhone or iPad hearing aids are specifically designed to provide optimal sound quality when used alongside Apples phones and tablets. When these devices are paired with certain brands of hearing aids, they can send audio feeds directly to the hearing aids speakers, delivering much clearer conversations, and making it easier to use the telephone. But thats not all.
Hearing devices made for Apples products can also be controlled using your iPhone or iPad. There are iOS apps which let you track your hearing aids battery life or change the volume and balance settings. And they also let you access a service called Live Listen, which is designed specifically for the hearing impaired. With this product installed, your phone or tablet can then become an additional microphone, which can have many useful applications. For instance, if you are in a crowded restaurant and are trying to maintain a chat with a friend, you can place your phone near them, amplifying their voice and helping to screen out background noise.
So, as you can see, there are plenty of reasons to invest in hearing aids that are designed to work with your Apple devices. The question is, which brands provide such products, and what are their unique features? Heres a quick run down of the major options that are available.
Recommended Reading: Can You Make A Candle From Ear Wax
Direct Audio Streaming To The Lively Rechargeable
Stream phone calls, audiobooks, and music from newer Android devices to your Lively Rechargeable on the following devices:
- Samsung
- Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G
- Samsung Galaxy S10+
The following devices require the Android Phone Clip+ for streaming to our Rechargeable models:
- Samsung
- Moto G7
- Xiaomi Mi 9
The Lively Battery-Powered model requires the Android Phone Clip+ to stream audio from all Android devices.
Gn Hearing And Cochlear Ltd First To Offer Android Streaming
GN Hearing is the first hearing aid maker to announce support for Android 10 with its ReSound LiNX Quattro and Beltone Amaze hearing aid models. The hearing aids will connect wirelessly with Google’s Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3a, and Pixel 3a XL phones that have updated to Android 10. Streaming will be available with a software update to the hearing devices.
In its news release, GN revealed that its technology development partner, Cochlear Ltd., will also provide direct wireless audio streaming from Pixel phones to its Nucleus 7 cochlear implant sound processors.
Like Made-for-iPhone hearing aids, Android 10 utilizes the Bluetooth LE protocol. It is designed to provide hearing aid wearers with wireless audio streaming over extended periods without having to change or recharge their batteries. The new technology is based on a recent hearing aid specification, ASHA on Bluetooth Low Energy Connection-Oriented Channels, which Google developed in collaboration with GN Hearing and Cochlear Ltd.
Read Also: How To Clean Cane Corso Ears
Connecting To Your Android Mobile Phone
Its important to note that not all hearing aid models are compatible with Android devices. Check the user manual, manufacturers website, or ask your hear.com hearing consultant to ensure your Android works with your hearing aids.
- Turn on your hearing aids.
- Open Google Play and download the app for your specific hearing aid if one is available. The app might be able to walk you through the process of pairing your devices. Otherwise, continue with step 3.
- Go to Settings on your phone.
- Tap Connected devices> Pair new device.
- Choose your hearing aid from the list of available devices. If you have more than one hearing aid: Wait for the first hearing aid to connect, then tap the other hearing aid in the list of available devices.
This video from Oticon demonstrates how to connect one of their hearing aids to your Android device. For the other hearing aid manufacturers, the specific software will be different, but the general process is similar.
If you need additional help connecting your hearing aids to your phone, please give us a call at 888-780-3450 so we can assist you.
Jesse Botella
Jesses love for attending rock concerts without ear protection caused him to develop noise-induced hearing loss in his right ear. He now uses his personal experience and passion for words to write about hearing loss and the benefits of wearing hearing aids.
What Took So Damned Long
The issue for the hearing aid brands has always been the Android operating system and the fragmentation of it and the hardware used in Android phones. Android is an OS that is used on many phones from many different phone brands, that has meant that the Android experience on Samsung devices is quite different than on HTC devices. It also means that the hardware used in those phones is also often different. This ensures that designing hearing aids that will work with every Android phone is an insurmountable task. However, with the introduction of Android P, that began to change.
Android wrested back a lot more control over the OS with Android P, especially the Bluetooth management system. It means that the part of the operating system that will help hearing aids connect will now be the same across phones with Android P. The inbuilt hardware is something they won’t control though, but, we can expect every major phone brand to follow suit quickly because they understand the value of hearing aid direct connection. With the introduction of Android Q or 10, finally, the system is available to Pixel 3 phone owners.
Also Check: How To Sync Hearing Aids To Iphone
Starkey Livio Ai Range Thrive Android Hearing Aid App
This app gives the wearer full control of their hearing aids by using their smartphone. You can adjust volume, switch memories and manage other settings. The most impressive features are Healthable – it uses AI to track your brain and body activity with Thrive Assistant, Translate, Transcribe and Self Check.
Requirement for the app: The Thrive Hearing Control app runs on Android 7.0 and higher.
If You Have An Android Phone
Many smartphone-compatible hearing aids work with Android phones. However, not all hearing aid models will work with all Android phones. Check your hearing aid user guide or your manufacturers website for a list of Android phones that will work with your hearing aids. Manufacturers websites:
With most hearing aid models, you will need to purchase a separate phone clip accessory in order to stream phone calls, music, and other audio to your hearing aids. However, even without a Bluetooth accessory, you can still use many of the other smartphone features are available through the app, such as changing volume and switching programs.
Recommended Reading: Sign Language Hungry
Bluetooth Is A Pain In The Arse
I know I have said it already, but Bluetooth is a pain in the arse. It isn’t the hearing aid manufacturer’s fault, it isn’t your Audiologist’s fault, it’s just Bluetooth. It is inherently unstable, it causes problems and the best way to get on with it is to just get on with it. My thoughts on it are that the problems are worth the benefits. Bluetooth connectivity provides us with so much benefit. If however, you aren’t very tech-savvy, the difficulties might drive you mad. The easiest fix for most problems seems to be to forget the devices, restart your phone and then re-pair them. Generally, that fixes all issues, so simply learn how to do it, it is worth it.
Like us on Facebook by clicking the button below to keep up with our latest utterances. Alternatively, if you don’t like Facebook, sign up to the newsletter below. It is important to remember, a hearing aid isn’t properly fitted unless they do Real Ear Measurement.
If you like what you see, share it so others can benefit
Android Users New Option: Bluetooth Streaming Directly To Resound Hearing Aids
Mar 14, 2020 | Hearing Aids, Latest News, Patient Resources |
Over the years, many hearing aid users have been forced to make sacrifices when it comes to the quality of sound delivered through their phones.
Many hearing aid users have found it difficult to hear calls, especially if other background noise cuts in.
Listening to music from their phone might have required a special device, especially if they wanted to listen to that music without disturbing others around them.
While added accessories, like the Telecoil, could make some streaming possible, they didnt offer the high-quality sound experience, and convenience many hearing aid users are looking for.
Now, Android users have a new option: Bluetooth streaming directly to Resound hearing aids.
Recommended Reading: Teaching Yourself Sign Language
How Much Do Bluetooth Hearing Aids Cost
The average cost of a Bluetooth hearing aid in the United States is $2979.
That is, according to our incredibly small sample size of 131 prospective hearing aid wearers located throughout the United States.
How did we arrive at this figure?
Over the 1 week course of writing this post, we verbally surveyed each individual who contacted us with interest in purchasing hearing aids from our company.
Some of these individuals had been actively shopping for hearing aids and had received a quote prior to contacting us.
If the quote they had received met the criteria below, we noted the price and technology level of the product quoted.
Criteria for survey participation:
- The quote needed to be for a direct-connectivity Bluetooth hearing aid that did not require a Bluetooth adapter .
- The quote needed to include local professional service from a licensed hearing care provider.
- The quote must have been from an independent hearing care provider .
The results of this pricing survey are below
Although this was an informal survey, the figures above very closely align with figures published by a reputable source .
While our survey indicated the average price of a Bluetooth hearing aid is $2979, they can certainly be found for less.
None of our respondents expressed interested in entry or economy technology levels, in which case there would have been several reported quotes at just above $1000 per hearing aid.
What Brands Do Made For Android Hearing Aids
In 2019 both Resound and Starkey showed innovation by launching Made for Android hearing aids using low energy Bluetooth technology. With the streaming done using Bluetooth Low Energy , so both hearing aids and phone can have enough battery power to get through an entire day.
However, this was only successful on recent Android phones operating with the Android 10 platform – back then it was only Google Pixel 3 and 4 that were compatible, but more and more are becoming available for compatibility. The current Made for Android hearing aids are Starkey Livio, Phonak , Unitron Discover and Resound Quattro.
Made for Android hearing aid review
The Made for Android hearing aids sector of the market is developing rapidly, so we are sure to see a few more Apple/Android compatible Bluetooth hearing aids in the near future. However, it is important to remember that some Android-compatible hearing aids are unable to stream podcasts, music and movie content, unlike the hearing aids that connect to Apples iPhone.
Read Also: How To Use Witch Hazel For Ear Infection
What Is A Hearing Aid App
Its very simple to understand and super easy to use: These hearing aid apps are downloaded on to any mobile device via the app store, with a simple click. Depending on the app requirements, the user would then set up a profile or enter their desired needs. A large amount of these apps now also work with Bluetooth connectivity, meaning that the user can use their mobile device as a remote microphone. Apps are more functional as they become more developed, and hearing aid apps have regular software updates to keep user experience to the maximum. The best thing about these apps is that they can be tried and tested and are free to download from the app store on your phone.
The basic functionality ensures that certain settings can be adjusted to the users desired needs. They can adjust volume, background noise and equalize certain sounds in their environment. The apps assist with additional functions than those offered by hearing aids. The hearing aids with Bluetooth makes it possible for your hearing aids to be directly connected with your app. Luckily, Apple users can also now use these apps with more ease, as iOS updates its software regularly.
SUGGESTED: Come and check out the most advanced hearing aids at the right price, be sure to visit our homepage to compare devices:
What Hearing Aids Can I Get On Google Play
Depending on your mobile device, Google Play offers a variety of different hearing aid apps. Keep in mind that depending on the brand of hearing aid youre using, they will already have an app that works in comparison with their hearing aid models. Note that on the iPhone iTunes store, for iOS versions, many of these hearing aids have apps too.
Don’t Miss: Which Composer Experienced Hearing Loss During His Lifetime
Connect Your Phone To Your Hearing Aids
Apples iPhones and iPads are renowned for their technological sophistication, their range of features, and their high-quality designs. This may be why, as of 2017, there were around 85 million iPhone users in the USA. As around 15 percent of Americans also report some degree of hearing impairment , its a fair bet that there are millions of people who use iPhones or iPads and also struggle to hear. But what if the two could be brought together, helping those with auditory issues improve their hearing? Actually, thats definitely a possibility, with plenty of iPhone or iPad compatible hearing devices on the market. Lets find out more about them.
Check Resound Compatibility With Android Device
You will then be presented with one of three different screens.
Read Also: Does Humana Gold Cover Hearing Aids
Interested In Finding Out More
Please seek advice from your medical practitioner or health professional about treatments for hearing loss. They will be able to advise on a suitable solution for the hearing loss condition. All products should be used only as directed by your medical practitioner or health professional. Not all products are available in all countries.
Statcounter Global Stats: Mobile Operating System Market Share Worldwide April 2019: http://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/mobile/worldwide. Accessed May 21, 2019.
Disabling hearing loss refers to hearing loss greater than 40dB in the better hearing ear in adults and a hearing loss greater than 30dB in the better hearing ear in children.
WHO: Deafness and hearing loss, March 2019: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss. Accessed on June 13, 2019.
*For compatibility information and devices visit cochlear.com/compatibility and beltone.com/compatibility