Bluetooth Hearing Aids

Bluetooth Hearing Aids

Published on 13/07/2020  |  Updated on 15/10/2020

What is a Bluetooth hearing aid?  How do Bluetooth hearing aids work?

You have probably heard of most of the Bluetooth devices out on the market already, such as Bluetooth headphones, Bluetooth-compatible speakers and Bluetooth keyboards.  What is impressive is the use of Bluetooth within hearing aid technology, which has continued to advance over the past few years - offering consumers flexibility, great connectivity and pairing hearing aids with mobile phones.

Bluetooth hearing aids keep growing in popularity and we believe this will only increase, as technology meets innovation, connectivity evolves, and consumer demands raise expectations.  However, there are a few misconceptions surrounding Bluetooth hearing aids and what this set up actually means. 

In this article, we discuss some of these misconceptions, the key benefits of Bluetooth connectivity and innovative technology of pairing hearing aids with mobile phones - hearing aid friendly mobile phones.

Different types of Bluetooth hearing aids, at a glance:

• If you have an iPhone, view information about Made for iPhone hearing aids here
• If you have an Android, view information about Made for Android hearing aids here
• Or find out more information about Made for Any Phone hearing aids here

Historically the concept of Bluetooth hearing aids described only the devices that have a direct connection to a mobile phone to enable audio streaming.  In short, when the industry spoke about Bluetooth hearing aids, they were referring to Made for iPhone hearing aids (MFI).

The Made for iPhone hearing aids came onto the market with Resound’s LiNX platform in 2014 – their first iPhone device.  This was then quickly mirrored by Starkey’s Halo hearing aids and now the industry has seen a sea of change with manufacturers adding to their Bluetooth hearing aid portfolio.

What is Bluetooth? What can Bluetooth hearing aids do?

Bluetooth devices transmit radio waves through high-frequency channels to connect to another source.  They are paired with each other to communicate data safely by changing frequency continuously - thousands of times per second.

This clever ‘wireless radio’ technology was developed in 1994 and provided the market with two or more electronic devices being able to switch data between each other wirelessly – using radio waves.  Basically, a wireless communication system between devices.  Even though hearing aid manufacturers saw huge potential and benefits to Bluetooth hearing aid technology over the years, the development hasn’t been plain sailing. 

Originally, the transferred audio wasn’t of great quality and relied on huge amounts of power.  Due to this, most brands opted to design streamers to bridge the gap between connectivity and sound quality – a middleman of sorts.  However, Resound and Starkey kept researching and developing, they stuck with it.  Ultimately, this resulted in both launching the first-ever Made for iPhone hearing aids with a direct connection.  Also allowing you to access the world through your hearing aids using mobile phone features and apps.

Bluetooth compatible hearing aids & hearing aid mobile phone compatibility

Pretty much all hearing aid manufacturers now have Made for iPhone hearing aid models on offer, but it is worthwhile knowing that you may need a connective device – a streamer - for some models for hearing aid mobile phone compatibility.  It provides a reliable connection that is always stable and audio that is of good quality.  Pairing hearing aids and mobile phones seamlessly.

What are Bluetooth hearing aid streamers?

Pretty much all the hearing aid manufacturers have Bluetooth compatible hearing aid streamers unique to their devices on the market.  It ensures low-energy, fast, seamless and steady wireless audio streaming directly to your hearing aids.   Streamers are the 'go-between' from your hearing aids to your streamer electronic device that provide outstanding audio sound to the wearer. 

For instance, the image above shows Oticon's ConnectClip, which acts as a microphone and a combined headset.  It is an intermediate device, which wirelessly connects Oticon 2.4GHz wireless hearing aids through Bluetooth to most mobile phones.  ConnectClip further doubles as a remote/partner microphone for improved one-to-one speech understanding in adverse listening situations.

Bluetooth Hearing Aid Review

Are Bluetooth hearing aids better?

Most consumers would say they were better, even though the Bluetooth connectivity doesn’t ensure better-performing hearing aids.  The real benefit here is the quick connectivity to remote microphones and mobile phones and is, in fact, one of the most popular streamers on the market.  Take for example Starkey’s 2020 Table Microphone Disc, which gave group settings the edge.  By placing the disc in the centre of the table, it will use its eight microphones, to focus on the main voice in your conversation and then stream it directly to your hearing aids. 

On the other hand, streaming audio from your mobile phone ensures that you can hear and make calls easier and more confidently, as you will always gain from great clarity – without any additional device.

Advantages of Bluetooth hearing aids

You gain from fast, seamless and direct connection to:

• Remote microphones
• TV streamers
• iPhone & Android hearing aids
• Stereo audio streaming for both phone calls and music or media

One of the main advantages of Bluetooth is how low the energy consumption is, but it hasn't been this way from the beginning.  Hearing aids with past Bluetooth technology consumed too much energy, therefore reducing the battery life of the device and quite an inconvenience for its wearers.  With the introduction of Bluetooth 4.0 -  this innovation, as well as the rise of lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, are the reasons why direct connectivity Bluetooth hearing aids are now becoming more widely available.

What is the cost of Bluetooth hearing aids and hearing aids compatible with mobile phones?

As I said earlier, although some aren’t - many of the latest hearing aid launches from the main manufacturers are Bluetooth compatible and hearing aids compatible with mobile phones.  It has become rather mainstream, expected and reflects the current consumer demands and behaviours of today - resulting in many Bluetooth hearing aids being no more expensive than ones that aren’t.  Due to the innovation in other features of hearing aid technology – it is no longer seen as a premium type of product.  Therefore, this type of hearing aid roughly starts from £795 - £1895 per aid.

It is also worth noting that you simply might only have to purchase a Bluetooth streamer from your hearing aid manufacturer if you already have hearing aids - to gain from this connectivity and freedom.  We also recommend the rechargeable option, if you are buying a Made for iPhone hearing aid, in order to be able to take full advantage of the direct Bluetooth streaming capabilities.

NHS hearing aids with Bluetooth - Does the NHS do Bluetooth hearing aids?

Whilst the NHS provides a credible hearing health service and some good hearing solutions - they are currently unable to offer Bluetooth hearing aids.  Hearing aids with Bluetooth capability are only available with private hearing care. 

Some useful terms, in regards to Bluetooth hearing aid devices and mobile phones suitable for hearing aids

• Made for iPhone hearing aids (MFI):  These connect directly to iPhones without an additional streamer for streaming calls and audio.  MFI hearing aid devices don’t always connect to Android phones and might need a streamer to be successful.  This will, no doubt, change as the future of audiology and its technology evolves.
• Bluetooth compatible hearing aids:  These are not a direct connection and need a streamer to connect to a mobile phone and to stream audio (using an app).  They do connect to Android devices exactly the same way, once you have said streamer in place.
• Made for Android hearing aids:  These, in the past, still needed an additional streamer, but after the launch of Linx Quattro and Android 10 – the future of direct connection is looking brighter.
• Made for Any Phone hearing aids:   This, at the moment, only applies to the Sonova groups hearing aids – like the Phonak Marvel and the Unitron Discover.  These connect to any mobile phone with Bluetooth capabilities and pretty much any Bluetooth device.

Bluetooth Hearing Aids Available

Understanding Hearing Aids for Mobile Phones

Bluetooth Hearing Aids for 2020

What's new for Bluetooth technology?  What are the best mobile phones for hearing aids?  Here are our top picks so far...

**Customer Note: This article was written in early 2020 and there have been a variety of new aids released since.  We are currently evaluating the new arrivals and we will produce an updated top Bluetooth picks, once the hearing aids have been out longer and fully evaluated**

#1  Starkey Livio Edge AI 2400

With Starkey Livio Edge AI 2400 you can reconnect with what matters to you.  The Edge offers sleek wireless streaming with accessories so you can enjoy all sounds directly to your hearing aids.  Allowing you to enjoy great sound quality with your favourite TV programmes, music and phone calls.

Starkey Livio Edge AI Bluetooth Accessories

• Mini Remote Microphone:  One to one conversations are assisted in challenging hearing situations - by attaching the accessory to the clothing of the person you are speaking to.
• TV Streamer:  Effortless audio streaming from your TV or other audio devices - straight into your hearing aids.
• Table Microphone:  Makes group gatherings easy with eight microphones that stream the voice you want to focus on - even in noisy environments.
• Remote:  This accessory controls your past settings and volume.  It can also mute your hearing aids and turn on or off other device features.

#2  Signia Styletto 7X

Signia Styletto 7X transforms the outdated image of hearing aids into highly sophisticated hear wear. Pure in design, sophisticated in form, with graceful lines and a sleek refined fit - Styletto X is impactful, even before you slip it on.  Signia Styletto X is a Made for iPhone hearing aid.

By combining the state-of-the-art Signia Xperience hearing technology with Bluetooth connectivity for calls, music and high-quality TV sound streamed to the devices, Styletto 7X delivers the most complete hearing experience to match its unique design.

To use these Made for iPhone hearing devices, you need one of these devices:

• iPhone 5 or later
• iPad Pro (all models)
• iPad Air (all models)
• iPad (4th generation) or later
• iPad mini (all models)
• iPod touch (5th generation) or later

 Discover more about hearing aids with Bluetooth below

A quick reference to more information on Bluetooth hearing aids

• Read about Made for iPhone hearing aids here
• Read about Made for Android hearing aids here
• Read about Made for Any Phone hearing aids here

What mobile phones are compatible with hearing aids?

Below is a list of hearing aid manufacturers that have hearing aids which are compatible with mobile phones.  Click on the links to view each product list:

• Product list for compatible mobile phones Phonak hearing aids
• Product list for compatible mobile phones  Bernafon hearing aids
• Product list for compatible mobile phones Widex hearing aids
• Product list for compatible mobile phones Signia hearing aids
• Product list for compatible mobile phones Oticon hearing aids
• Product list for compatible mobile phones Unitron hearing aids
• Product list for compatible mobile phones Audio Service hearing aids
• Product list for compatible mobile phones Starkey hearing aids

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Examples of Bluetooth Hearing Aids UK