Using Your Hearing Aids with a Smartphone

Hearing loss is a common issue that several Americans experience, so you are not alone. Research indicates that one in eight people in the US aged 12 or above has hearing loss in both ears based on standard hearing examinations. Luckily, technology is filtering into every aspect of modern life, including healthcare. As such, you can pair many smartphone models with your hearing aids to hear better. This innovation is a significant stride in hearing technology since mixing hearing aids with electronic equipment was typically tricky in the traditional past. Here are some insights into using your hearing aids with a smartphone.

Smartphones and Hearing Aids

If you wear hearing aids, you can use your smartphone as anyone else will. However, you may need to use additional settings to enhance call quality to make it easier to hear callers. Many smartphones have telecoil installed, and it will send signals right to hearing aids on the T Loop setting when activated. Your hearing aids and smartphones have settings you can activate to turn on this feature, but you should consider asking your audiologist to do this for you to be on the safer side.

Additionally, digital hearing aids are usually capable of receiving Bluetooth signals. Since many of today's smartphones can transmit Bluetooth signals, you can pair the two devices and use your smartphone to send signals straight to your hearing aid. Some of the things you can do with your hearing aids when they are synced with your smartphone include:

• Change the volume in each hearing aid at the same time or separately.
• Control hearing aid accessories like remote mic or TV streamer.
• Stream phone calls to your hearing aids.
• Stream audio like GPS directions and songs directly to your hearing aids.
• Check the status of your hearing aid batteries.

Not all hearing aids will work with a smartphone, so your phone’s type will determine whether you can connect it with your hearing aids.

What Smartphones Are Compatible with Hearing Aids?

Generally, you can use many of today's smartphones with hearing aids, but some models have special features to cancel background noise and enhance call volume. Also, some smartphones may feature microphone (M) and telecoil (T) ratings which highlight how well they work with hearing aids. The best way to select the smartphone that works best with your hearing aids is to try out different devices or ask your audiologist for advice.

Using Your Hearing Aid with an Android

Many apps work on Android phones, but it is essential to note that not all hearing aids will work with Android. As such, it would be best to talk to your audiologist about your hearing aid features and ensure that you go through your hearing aid user guide.

There are numerous accessories you will need to ensure that you can connect your hearing aid and your smartphone. For instance, most hearing aid models require that you purchase a clip to connect the two devices so you can stream sounds. However, you can still access features like changing the volume via the app even without these Bluetooth accessories. To connect your hearing aids to your Android phone:

• Always ensure your hearing aid battery is fresh.
• Download the right app based on your hearing aid brand.
• Switch on your phone’s Bluetooth.
• Launch the app and switch your hearing aid on.

Using Your Hearing Aid with an iPhone

Many hearing aids are capable of connecting to Apple smartphones. Since iPhones are the most popular smartphones in America, there are undoubtedly plenty of suitable apps you can find. However, always select apps specific to your hearing aid brand. Luckily, your audiologist can guide you to pick the best apps, so consider consulting them before making your choice. To connect your hearing aids to your iPhone,

• Ensure that your hearing aid battery is fresh and ready.
• Go to Settings and turn on Bluetooth.
• Turn your hearing aid on by shutting the battery door.
• Navigate to general, then accessibility, to access MFI hearing devices.
• Select your hearing aid model number when it pops up. Once it is connected, you will notice a checkmark next to it.
• Tap pair to finish the connection between your smartphone and hearing aids.

About Gavin Audiology and Hearing Aids 

We are a leading hearing health center offering a diverse range of hearing aids that can be fitted and programmed to suit your peculiar hearing loss needs and lifestyle. Also, we have industry-leading technology and tools that enable us to offer our patients hearing aid services and comprehensive diagnostic evaluations.

Call Gavin Audiology and Hearing Aids at (914) 610-3440 to learn more and get started.