Bluetooth Hearing Aids in 2020 [Ultimate Guide]
You’ve heard of smart TVs, smart speakers, smartphones, but…smart hearing aids?
Yes!
What makes a hearing aid smart?
It’s simple. A hearing aid’s ability to connect (via Bluetooth) to mobile phones and other devices makes it a smart hearing aid, or, as it’s more commonly known, a Bluetooth hearing aid.
Bluetooth hearing aids have blown up in popularity, and before you buy your next hearing aids, make sure you understand why.
But first, grab your preferred beverage. There’s a lot of ground to cover- you may be here a while.
This guide is going to give you expert-level knowledge on all things Bluetooth hearing aids, along with what we consider to be the top 3 Bluetooth hearing aids of 2020.
Quick Navigation
- What is Bluetooth?
- Bluetooth and Hearing Aids
- Bluetooth Hearing Aids & iPhones
- Bluetooth Hearing Aids & Android Phones
- Benefits and Features of Bluetooth Hearing Aids
- Pairing Bluetooth Hearing Aids to Phones
- Cost of Bluetooth Hearing Aids
- Are Bluetooth Hearing Aids Safe?
- Best Bluetooth Hearing Aids of 2020
- Conclusion
What is Bluetooth?
Bluetooth is a wireless technology that allows devices to connect to each other over a short range (about 30 feet).
The purpose of Bluetooth is simple- replace the wires that normally connect devices.
Bluetooth first appeared as a consumer technology in 2000 and it is still going strong.
These days, almost every smartphone supports Bluetooth, as do most other small consumer electronics.
Thanks to its ease of use and low power consumption, Bluetooth has become the default way to connect many devices like speakers, headphones and (you guessed it), hearing aids.
Bluetooth and Hearing Aids
The idea of pairing Bluetooth enabled phones to hearing aids is not new.
In 2006, the Minnesota-based hearing aid manufacturer Starkey introduced ELI, the first hearing aid to be compatible with Bluetooth enabled phones.
Time magazine named it one of the best inventions of the year.
In the years that followed, many hearing aid manufacturers introduced their own hearing aids with Bluetooth technology.
But they all had the same shortcoming.
All these hearing aids required a streamer, or hearing aid Bluetooth adapter, in order to stream audio from a cellular device to the user’s hearing aids.
The animation below highlights the necessity of the Bluetooth adapter in allowing the hearing aids and phone to communicate.
Many consumers were reluctant to carry around a Bluetooth hearing aid streamer, and this is one of the reasons that Bluetooth hearing aids didn’t really “catch fire” for nearly a decade.
The prevailing sentiment among industry professionals was that Bluetooth compatible hearing aids were a neat technological advancement, but perhaps not ready for primetime.
In fact, many hearing care professionals made the decision to not even introduce the idea of Bluetooth hearing devices to their client base, ignoring the trend altogether.
However, the building wave would soon prove impossible to ignore.
Bluetooth Hearing Aids and iPhones
Up until just a few years ago, all hearing aid users that wanted Bluetooth connectivity with their smartphones had to use a Bluetooth adapter (streamer) to do so.
Hearing aids with built-in Bluetooth were not really a reality, mainly due to the high power consumption of Bluetooth, thus necessitating the streamer accessory.
However, thanks to the advent of a special form of Low Energy Bluetooth in 2011, and a collaboration between Apple and Danish hearing aid manufacturer GN ReSound beginning around the same time, direct connectivity between iPhones and hearing aids began to seem feasible.
The fruit of this collaboration, the ReSound LiNX, was unveiled at the 2014 Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas, and the world was introduced to a new term- “Made for iPhone” (MFi) hearing aids.
As illustrated below, Made for iPhone hearing aids are engineered to pair directly to iOS devices without the need for an intermediary bluetooth adapter.
As a result of this direct connectivity, iPhone users can stream audio from their phone to their hearing aids, use their phone to adjust the settings of the hearing aids, and a host of other features.
Over the coming years, almost every major hearing aid manufacturer followed suit and released a Made for iPhone hearing aid, and by 2016 the term “Made for iPhone hearing aid” had become ubiquitous in the industry.
However prevalent Made for iPhone hearing aids had become, many hearing aids users were still left without direct connectivity, as nearly 75% of all smartphones worldwide are powered by Android.
This huge opportunity for hearing aid manufacturers to develop a Bluetooth enabled hearing aid compatible with all the non-iOS devices would not go unnoticed for long.
Bluetooth Hearing Aids and Android Phones
While iPhone users have been enjoying direct connectivity to their hearing aids for years, this is a relatively new feature for Android users.
Even today, the majority of hearing aids on the market cannot pair directly to Android-based phones, requiring the use of a Bluetooth adapter.
However, progress is being made.
As ReSound led the Made for iPhone revolution, this time it has been Swiss-based hearing aid manufacturer Phonak leading the way.
From 2014-2018, while all the other major hearing aid manufacturers were focused on developing their Made for iPhone hearing aids, Phonak had different plans. Phonak instead committed to developing a Bluetooth hearing aid that could connect to all phones- Samsung, iPhone, Google, Motorola- you name it.
In the fall of 2018, Phonak hit it out of the park with their Made for All hearing aid, Phonak Marvel.
Below is a brief introduction to the Phonak Marvel.
A “Made for All” hearing aid is a hearing aid which can be directly paired with all phones via Bluetooth- including Android, iPhone, and most other classic cell phones. As a result of this direct connectivity, users can stream audio from their phone to their hearing aids, use their phone to adjust settings of the hearing aids, and use their hearing aids similarly to a Bluetooth headset.
Not only do Made for All hearing aids like Phonak Marvel connect to a wider array of devices, they also provide a unique feature that no Made for iPhone hearing aids do- truly hands-free calling.
The gamble to forego making a Made for iPhone hearing aid to focus on developing a Made for All hearing aid has paid off for Phonak, as they’ve enjoyed over a year of catering to an entire segment of the hearing aid market exclusively.
But, in late 2019, competition began heating up for Phonak, as technological advancements in Bluetooth have led a few more hearing aid manufacturers to introduce their own Android compatible hearing aids; more on that below.
The ASHA Protocol: More Android Compatible Hearing Aids on the Way
Recall that earlier in this post, we mentioned how Apple’s development of a special low energy Bluetooth profile in 2014 ultimately paved the way for all hearing aid manufacturers to build iOS-compatible hearing aids.
Now, thanks to Google’s development of their own Bluetooth profile, we’re seeing the same thing happening again. That is, more hearing aid manufacturers are able to build hearing aids that support Android’s Bluetooth profile.
Android’s new Bluetooth profile is called Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids Profile Generic Attribute Profile (abbreviated ASHA-GATT or simply ASHA). Google, GN ReSound, and Cochlear share the credit for jointly developing the important new profile. The three companies joined forces to design a Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity solution especially for Android users with hearing aids or cochlear implants.
Watch a brief introductory video to Android’s new Bluetooth profile
As of early 2020, only Starkey and ReSound have hearing aids which support the new ASHA Bluetooth profile.
This means that, so long as you have one of ReSound or Starkey’s newest hearing aids, along with an Android running on Android 10, with Bluetooth 5.0, you can stream audio directly from your Android phone to your hearing aids.
Though, we still recommend visiting the hearing aid manufacturer’s website to ensure compatibility between your hearing aids and your phone.
We expect that within the next few years, every major hearing aid manufacturer will have hearing aids that support Android’s Bluetooth profile.
Benefits & Features of Bluetooth Hearing Aids
The advantages of having Bluetooth compatible hearing aids are undeniable.
With every new product release, we’re seeing interesting new features that just a few years ago seemed like a pipe dream.
Before you buy Bluetooth hearing aids, review the list below to learn about these new features and the hearing aids that offer them.
Bluetooth Hearing Aid Features in the Most Popular Hearing Aids of 2020
| Bluetooth Feature & Description | Phonak Marvel | Signia Pure | Oticon OPN S | ReSound LiNX | Starkey Livio AI | Widex Evoke |
| Audio streaming | ||||||
| Live listen | ||||||
| Volume & program adjustment | ||||||
| Battery life indicator | ||||||
| Tinnitus therapy adjustment | ||||||
| Remote programming | ||||||
| Microphone directionality adjustment | ||||||
| Bass/treble adjustment | ||||||
| Hearing aid finder | ||||||
| Geotagging | ||||||
| Hearing aid software updates | ||||||
| Apple watch compatible | ||||||
| Hearing aid diagnostics | ||||||
| Conversation transcription | ||||||
| Hands-free calling | ||||||
| A/B sound comparisons | ||||||
| IoT capable | ||||||
| Language translation | ||||||
| Step counter | ||||||
| Fall detection |
The above chart can be a bit overwhelming for a first-time wearer. For a simplified explanation of the biggest advantages of Bluetooth hearing aids, and a brief history of how Blueooth in hearing aids has advanced, check out the video below.
How to Pair Bluetooth Hearing Aids to iPhones & Androids
In order to take advantage of the features made available with Bluetooth hearing aids, you have to first pair the hearing aids to your smartphone.
If you have paired a Bluetooth device to your phone before, this is a similar process, with some slight differences.
How to Pair Hearing Aids with iPhones
Before you attempt to pair your hearing aids with your iPhone, you need to ensure that your hearing aids are actually “Made for iPhone”.
If they are, you’ll usually see an image like the one below, shown on your hearing aid packaging or user guide.
If you’re not sure if your hearing aids are Made for iPhone, contact your hearing provider, or leave a comment below with your hearing aid’s make & model and we’ll let you know.
Once you’ve confirmed your hearing aids are Made for iPhone, follow the instructions below, watch the video, or view Apple’s guide.
- Make sure your phone’s software is up to date.
- Put a fresh battery in your hearing aids.
- Make sure your phone’s Bluetooth is enabled.
- Go to settings -> general -> accessibility -> MFi hearing devices. Your phone will search for your hearing aids. If the hearing aids can’t be found, open and close the battery door.
- Once the hearing aids are found, tap to connect to the hearing aids, and then accept your phone’s pairing request, 1 time per hearing aid.
Your hearing aids are now synced with your iPhone!
Watch a video on how to pair hearing aids with an iPhone
How to Pair Hearing Aids with Android Phones
Before you attempt to pair your hearing aids with your Android phone, you need to ensure that your hearing aids are actually compatible with your phone.
If you’re not sure if your hearing aids are compatible, contact your hearing provider, or leave a comment below with your hearing aid’s make & model and we’ll let you know.
- Make sure your phone’s software is up to date.
- Put a fresh battery in your hearing aids.
- Make sure your phone’s Bluetooth is enabled, by going to settings -> connections -> bluetooth.
- Your phone will search for your hearing aids. If the hearing aids can’t be found, open and close the battery door.
- Once the hearing aids are found, tap to connect to the hearing aids.
Your hearing aids are now synced with your Android phone!
How Much do Bluetooth Hearing Aids Cost?
The average cost of a Bluetooth hearing aid in the United States is $2979. (Figure 1)
…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 (streamer).
- 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 (not a big box store).
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 (figure 7).
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.
Are Bluetooth Hearing Aids Safe?
Yes.
Although hearing aids emit radiation, and radiation can cause cancer, it’s important to know the difference between ionizing radiation, and non-ionizing radiation.
Ionizing radiation, the kind that can damage DNA and cause cancer, is the type of radiation that comes from ultraviolet light from the sun, x-rays, and nuclear explosions.
Hearing aids do not emit ionizing radiation.
Hearing aids do emit extremely low levels of non-ionizing radiation, but many products today do.
For example, do you feel comfortable that a smartphone is safe to use?
A smartphone emits much higher levels of radiation than a hearing aid, as much as 2,000 times more, and there is no evidence of any adverse health effects as a result of smartphone usage.
The chart below illustrates the drastic difference in the amount of radiation from smartphones as compared to hearing aids.
The world’s largest health organizations like the FDA and WHO are confident that smartphones do not present any health risks, so you probably don’t need to be concerned about radiation from wireless hearing aids.
Best Bluetooth Hearing Aids of 2020
What are the best Bluetooth hearing aids of 2020?
It’s not an easy question to answer, and there really is no objective way to answer such a question.
However, as a nationwide seller of all major hearing aid brands, and with over 700 locations, we are in a unique position to hear feedback from an enormously large sample size of players in the hearing aid industry.
Each year, we handle approximately 25,000 phone calls with hearing aid buyers, hearing care providers, and hearing aid manufacturers.
This gives us insight and perspective into what hearing aids and features are trending with consumers and local hearing care providers.
In creating the list below, our team put our heads together and considered 3 criteria:
1. What hearing aids are generating the most buzz with consumers?
2. What hearing aids are hearing care providers actually recommending and ordering?
3. What hearing aids are setting trends that we think will be adopted industry-wide and iterated upon.
Note: We are an independently owned hearing aid retailer and we have not been compensated by the manufacturers of the products listed below.
Without further adieu, our list of the best Bluetooth hearing Aids of 2020:
#1: Phonak Marvel
Our price: Starting at $1499 per device
Release date: August 2018
Awards earned: Gold Stevie 2019 Innovation of the Year, CES 2019 Innovation Awards Honoree, 2019 Edison Awards Finalist
Highlights
- Direct Bluetooth compatibility with all phones
- Hands-free phone conversations
- Best TV streaming sound quality
Why we like it
The Phonak Marvel was our best selling Bluetooth hearing aid of 2019.
As the first hearing aid to directly connect to all Bluetooth phones, Marvel brought a lot of people in from the sidelines who’d been waiting to buy hearing aids that would connect to their phones.
Aside from universal connectivity, Marvel is also the only hearing aid on the market that offers truly hands-free phone conversations, using the microphones integrated in the hearing aids to bypass the phone’s microphones, allowing wearers to use Marvel hearing aids just like a Bluetooth headset.
Marvel is also the first hearing aid that can recognize whether the media you are streaming (like a movie), is primarily speech or music dominant, and can then optimize sound quality on the fly, resulting in the best possible streaming sound quality.
Bluetooth functionality aside, Marvel benefits from Phonak’s newest operating system, AutoSense 3.0, is available with rechargeable batteries, and is an excellent overall hearing aid.
In-depth video review of the Phonak Marvel
Bottom line: If you use anything other than an iPhone and are interested in Bluetooth features, Phonak Marvel should be at the very top of your list. If you use an iPhone, Marvel is still an excellent choice, but its companion app is lacking some (very minor) functionality that is otherwise available in strictly Made for iPhone hearing aids, so we recommend reviewing this list to make sure those features aren’t important to you.
#2: Starkey Livio AI
Our price: $2899 per device
Release date: October 2018
Awards earned: Silver Stevie 2019 Technical Innovation of the Year, 2019 CES Innovation Award Honoree, Red Dot Design Award 2019, 2019 SXSW Interactive Innovation Awards Finalist, Silver Muse Design Awards 2019
Highlights
- First “healthable” hearing aid
- Best overall app
Why we like it
Starkey’s Livio AI is the first “healthable” hearing aid.
What does this mean?
It means that Livio AI hearing aids go beyond just being hearing aids, and aspire to help a wearer lead a more active, healthy, safe, and engaged life.
With features such as fall detection and alerts, heart rate measurement, and brain “engagement” tracking, the Livio AI is paving the way for hearing aids to play a more holistic role in overall hearing health.
This is a trend we think will be iterated upon by all manufacturers in the coming years, as there is a growing body of evidence linking hearing loss to dementia, cardiovascular disease, depression, and diabetes.
The accompanying Thrive App (which controls Livio AI hearing aids), is in our opinion the most fully-featured app, offering unique functionality such as real time language translation and real time voice-to-text transcription.
Intro to Starkey Livio AI hearing aids
It is our belief that the pursuit to make hearing aids multifunctional (as opposed to just amplifiers), will help to reduce the stigma and create more consumer demand, as hearing aids continue to provide ear-level features that other consumer devices do not.
Livio AI has not been one of our best selling hearing aids, primarily due to price. As brand new technology, Livio AI is only available at the premium level, which comes with a hefty price tag.
We nonetheless gave it the #2 spot on the list because with Livio AI, Starkey has pushed the envelope more than any manufacturer in recent years and is setting trends that are here to stay.
We believe that when the technology from this premium model trickles down and is available in lower end Starkey products, there will be a wider adoption of the Livio AI and other manufacturers will be left playing catch up to Starkey in the healthable space.
Bottom line: We recommend visiting Starkey’s website and closely reviewing the features of Livio AI. If you’re interested in these features, use an iPhone, want premium technology, and are willing to pay for it, Livio AI is the hearing aid for you. If the “healthable” features are of little interest to you, and you just want one of the best Bluetooth hearing devices, from the only major American hearing aid manufacturer, we recommend looking at the more affordable Livio (non-AI version).
#3: ReSound LiNX Quattro
Our price: Starting at $1649 per device
Release date: August 2018
Awards earned: Good Design Award 2018, CES Innovation Awards 2019 Honoree
Highlights
- Custom in-the-ear models with direct connectivity
- Works with iPhones and a growing number of Android phones
Why we like it
No discussion of the best Bluetooth hearing instruments is complete without mentioning Danish manufacturer GN ReSound, who introduced the first direct connectivity Bluetooth hearing aid in 2014.
ReSound LiNX Quattro, as the name implies, is ReSound’s fourth generation Bluetooth hearing aid.
ReSound has had a head start in the direct-connectivity space, and as a result, LiNX Quattro hearing aids have a few things that set them apart from other Bluetooth aids on the market.
First, while Bluetooth hearing aid styles from most manufacturers are limited to the RIC style, ReSound is currently one of only two manufacturers to offer direct connectivity in custom in-the-ear devices, and the only manufacturer to offer it in the tiny CIC style.
Second, ReSound is again poised to be a leader among hearing aid manufacturers in the race to connect their hearing aids to all phones- not just just iPhones.
As a result of ReSound’s collaboration with Google on the new ASHA protocol, ReSound was one of the first manufacturers to offer Android compatible hearing aids.
With the LiNX Quattro, ReSound has once again demonstrated their commitment to being a leader in the Bluetooth hearing aid space.
Bottom line: If you have an iPhone you can confidently buy LiNX Quattro hearing aids knowing that ReSound has been focusing on Bluetooth hearing aids longer than anyone, and will continue to deliver new features to these hearing aids (even after you’ve bought them). Many of these features will be accessible through a software update to your hearing aids (through ReSound’s app on your phone or your hearing provider’s computer), which means you won’t have to buy new hearing aids to access these features. If you use a (newer) Android phone, you may be able to directly stream to your hearing aids, but we’d recommend checking compatibility.
Conclusion: What’s Next for Bluetooth Hearing Aids?
We’ve come a long way since the first Bluetooth enabled hearing aids in 2014, but what does the future hold?
Our top 5 predictions:
1. Broader connectivity: The writing is on the wall. With the advent of “Made for All” hearing aids in 2018, and “Made for Android” hearing aids in 2019, it won’t be long before all hearing aids can connect to all Bluetooth devices. Our guess is that in the next 3-5 years all hearing aid manufacturers will be building hearing aids utilizing classic Bluetooth, for wider connectivity, just as Phonak has done with the Marvel.
2. Better smartphone apps: A Bluetooth hearing aid is only as good as the accompanying smartphone app that controls it. At the time of this post, the highest rated app has a dismal score of just 3.2/5 in the App store- based on well over a thousand reviews. The majority of apps are rated ~2.5/5. There is serious potential for improvements to these apps, and as more consumers weigh app design and functionality in their buying decisions, we expect manufacturers to pay attention.
3. More advanced remote programming: During the writing of this post, we saw the last of the major manufacturers (Oticon) release remote programming. As the trend of on-demand healthcare continues to grow, we expect more advances in remote programming, and soon expect all manufacturers to offer advanced and real time remote programming that is no different than programming that would occur in an in-person (office) environment.
4. More “healthable” features: As research around hearing loss comorbidities grows, manufacturers will strive to build devices that help consumers keep better track of their overall health. We can even foresee health insurance providers encouraging their members to purchase these more “holistic” hearing aids, as it is a very real prospect that insurers may begin to see their costs lower as a result of individuals wearing these kinds of hearing aids.
5. Lower prices: With the passage of the OTC hearing aid act in 2018 and advances in remote programming, we expect prices to steadily (albeit slowly) decrease in the coming years as a result of increased competition and new hearing healthcare delivery methods.
A Question for You
I’d like to end this post by posing a question to our readers-
What advances in Bluetooth and hearing aids would you like to see next?
Your opinion matters and just may be noticed by a hearing aid manufacturer ready to implement your request.
Please leave a comment below and let us know!
Why don’t the manufactures make hearing aids that fit in the ear and not seen, with latest technologies. I don’t like the over-the-ear hearing aids.
Hi Marie, check out the ReSound LiNX Quattro, that is available as a custom in-the-ear model and has Bluetooth, that may be what you’re looking for.
I have had one cochlear implant since 2005 and one hearing aid for longer than that. I do use Bluetooth for both devices, for music and voice from smart phone and TV transmitter.. I enjoy this method of hearing, but not the hassle of using all the devices necessary. The ongoing serious problem with the hearing aid and the cochlear implant, is room echoing and crowd noise. The sound quality using Bluetooth is excellent to near perfect. Would be great, if these new advanced Bluetooth devices could be designed to correct and eliminate the background noise.
Hi Richard, background noise reduction is always the #1 or #2 priority of any manufacturer, I think you’ll see steady improvements in that area. If I read your comment right, your hearing aid is from 2005? Or maybe that’s just how long you’ve been wearing a hearing aid in that ear. If it is indeed from 2005, you might want to check out something with direct connectivity, like ReSound, those are compatible with Cochlear devices. Regarding TV transmitters, I hope in the next few years they aren’t even a thing. I think we’re getting closer.
Does Cygnia support direct streaming to Android 10 phones (e.g. Pixel 3) yet? If not, is there any indication when they will? Trying to decide between Cygnia X7 and Resound LiNX Quattro (and possibly Phonak Marvel), so any relevant comments would be welcome. [My research to date suggests Cygnia has slightly better sound, but main differences seem to be apps and Bluetooth.]
Hi Cilantro 🙂 Signia does not yet support direct to Android, we’ll update this post when it does, and if you subscribe to Signia’s newsletter on their website, I’m sure you’ll be emailed when that is available. I have not heard of Signia releasing a direct to android product anytime soon. At this time, it looks like ReSound or Phonak would be the better choice, with Phonak giving you slightly more functionality (hands free phone calls).
Are Lucid 128 channel hearing aids compatible with android devices
Hi Kitty, it looks like they are- but you’d have to use the Bluetooth relay device that they offer. I’d recommend contacting them to verify that, thanks!
Speech, and eliminating background is my problem, my hearing aides is only 5yrs old, $6,500 and they need to be replaced.
Hi Betty, thanks for your comment. Although this post was focused on Bluetooth hearing aids, all of the above-mentioned hearing aids that are in the receiver-in-canal style do a great job of helping folks hear better in noise. Please feel free to call us if you’d like to discuss options & prices. 800-731-6794, thanks!
Is Signia Nx Hearing Aids 5Nx Bluetooth enabled for my iphone?
Hi Gary, thanks for the comment- good question. It depends on the model. If you’re talking about Signia Pure, or Pure Charge&Go, or another behind-the-ear or receiver-in-canal, then yes, they are Bluetooth enabled and offer direct-to-iPhone connectivity. If you’re referencing the in-the-ear models, like Signia Silk, then they do not. Hope that helps!
I’m trying to decide between the Marvel, the Resound Quattro, and the Livio AI. I have moderate to severe mixed hearing loss and have been wearing aids for over 15 years. My hearing loss is fairly stable, not progressive. I have a Samsung Galaxy S10+ phone. At the moment I have very good Insurance that will cover a significant portion of the cost of new hearing aids so money is not an issue. I’ll be Medicare eligible on March 1 so I need to make this purchase before then! Of the three, which aids would you reccomnend?
Definitely Marvel, so you can have direct connectivity between your phone and the hearing aids.
Similar to Amy’s question above. My phone is a Pixel 3XL. I currently have Oticon aids that are 2 1/2 years old, but I would like newer features. I’m a musician, and worried about sound distortion, and background noise in restaurants, etc. Should I wait – what options are coming in the future?
Hi Judy, as far as features to improve sound quality- I wouldn’t expect anything groundbreaking if you were to upgrade, just slight improvements. As far as Bluetooth connectivity, I’d look at the Phonak Marvel or ReSound LiNX Quattro, both of those can connect to Pixel 3 directly.
I would very much like to see the Apple Watch microphone activated during phone calls when linked to ReSound hearing aids. Without this capability I have lost one of the major features of the Apple Watch. I.e. the ability to answer phone calls using the Apple Watch without having to have my phone in hand.
Agreed- it would be a cool feature, but to the best of my knowledge, no manufacturers allow this. I believe the issue is the Apple watch not being able to pair directly to the hearing aids (they use a different kind of Bluetooth)…I think…I could be wrong…check with your local ReSound pro if you haven’t yet, maybe they can find a creative solution.
I would like to be able to wear my hearing aids but have the option of disconnecting the Bluetooth. For example, if i am in my vehicle – my Bluetooth speaker in my car offers better quality for phone calls than my hearing aids. Or, If I want to listen to music using my BT bose headphones, I can do so without having to take my hearing aids off. The hearing aids seem to overide all other Bluetooth devices – we should have a choice.
This is related to a major problem I have found with my brand new hearing aids, Phonak (from Costco). They work well, good sound. But my Prius also uses Bluetooth to connect to my iPhone. The other day I wanted to get audio instructions from my mapping app as I drove. I could not although both the Prius & the hearing aids were Bluetooth enabled. The only way I could make that happen was to disconnect the hearing aid Bluetooth from the iPhone–which is not a trick one wants to do while driving. So I was left looking at the screen of my iPhone to watch the map instructions while driving. For now, I will make it a habit to disconnect my hearing aid Bluetooth from the iPhone before starting to drive. But the hearing aids should have a way to disconnect the Bluetooth with a touch.
This is a BIG safety issue.
Are you aware of Bluetooth Transmitter devices which could be hooked up to a church sound system and enable Multiple people with bluetooth capable hearing aids to pair to the transmitter simultaneously?
Has any hearing aid manufacturer ever thought of designing an hearing aid as an earring?
Not that I’ve seen…
Very helpful site, thank you.
Do you know if Medicare will cover any portion of these hearing aids?
Can I assume that a TV that transmits a Bluetooth signal can be heard with these hearing aids.
I am an Android user and it appear that I should probably upgrade to a Android 10 phone, correct?
Thanks
Greg Howe
Hi Greg, thanks for your comments. Medicare doesn’t directly cover hearing aids- but some medicare supplements have some coverage. Feel free to call us at 800-731-6794 if you’d like, we’d be happy to check the specific of your coverage if you’d like. Yes, upgrade to the latest Android phone you can for the best chance at connectivity. However, even with the latest and greatest phone + hearing aids, you’re still gonna have some bugs with the Bluetooth- no avoiding that :/ And, if you intend to stream from the TV, definitely get the TV streamer that the mfg of the hearing aids makes. Some tvs will stream to aids without that proprietary streamer, but in my experience it drains the battery of the hearing aids really quickly.
Jeff, thanks for pointing the issue of battery life while watching the TV. I think I will stick with my wired headset.
Thanks
Greg
Is a Siemens Signia Pure Charge&Go 3X Rechargeable Hearing Aid (iPhone Compatible) also compatible with an Android bluetooth?
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