
All about bluetooth hearing aids
You’ve heard of smart TVs, smart speakers, smart phones, 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, and what they can do for you.

How Bluetooth hearing aids work
Buy a hearing aid that’s compatible with your phone

iPhones are directly Bluetooth compatible with almost all hearing aids.
If you use an iPhone, you don’t really need to worry about compatibility. Almost all hearing aids on the market are compatible with iPhones. However, to err on the safe side, we recommend discussing compatibility with us, or with your hearing provider, prior to buying your hearing aids.
Android and other phones are directly Bluetooth compatible with fewer hearing aids.
If you use any smartphone or cell phone other than an iPhone, your options for hearing aids that will directly connect to your phone are limited, but increasing over time. For users without iPhones, we usually recommend Phonak hearing aids, as Phonak hearing aids offer the best connectivity across multiple phone manufacturers and operating systems.
Pair your hearing aids to your phone

In order for your phone to stream audio to your hearing aids, your hearing aids need to be “paired” to your phone.
If you have other Bluetooth devices, like Bluetooth headphones, or speakers, you’ll be familiar with this pairing process.
However- pairing hearing aids to a phone is not always as straightforward as pairing other Bluetooth devices.
When it’s time to get things paired up, you’ll find specific directions for your hearing aids and phone inside the hearing aid manufacturer’s user guide.
Take advantage of the functionality!

Having Bluetooth-connected hearing aids opens up a whole new world of functionality for your hearing aids.
Stream phone calls, music, and more, directly to your hearing aids. Get your hearing aids remotely adjusted by your hearing provider. “Tag” certain locations and the settings of your hearing aids will automatically change next time you’re there- and so much more.
But don’t worry- if you don't want to be bothered with learning all the cool things you can do, you can simply use your smartphone as a sleek remote control for your hearing aids.
Bluetooth hearing aid features

With each new hearing aid release, we’re seeing new Bluetooth hearing aid features.
Some of these features exist in just about all hearing aids. Below, we refer to these as “Standard Features.”
Other features are more niche, proprietary features, only available through certain brands. Below, we refer to these as “Proprietary, Brand-Specific Features.”
Get familiar with these features before you buy hearing aids. Having (or not having) them, could make or break your experience with hearing aids.
Best Bluetooth Hearing Aids of 2023
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Hearing aid ratings you can trust
The hearing aids shown below are rated based on objective data, such as return rates and user reviews. We've done our best to use this data to create a comprehensive and unbiased hearing aid rating algorithm, but it's not perfect.
- 30 hearing aids considered
- 7749 verified purchases analyzed so far
- 32k data points
- 616 consumer reviews received
- No paid placements
- Updated daily
- Algorithm reviewed by statistician & data scientist
- This website is independently-owned and unbiased
Review Standarts:
Top Rated Bluetooth Hearing Aids
Stay sharp in the real world
Released by Oticon on February 23, 2023, Real is Oticon's flagship line of hearing aids for mild-to-severe hearing losses. Real is most well-known ... READ MORE
Conversations shine with Lumity
Released by Phonak on August 23, 2022, Audéo Lumity is Phonak's flagship line of hearing aids for wearers with mild-to-severe hearing loss. Audéo... READ MORE
The sound barrier has been broken
Released by Starkey on March 28, 2023, Genesis AI is Starkey’s newest, most complete line of hearing aids suitable for all hearing losses. Genesi... READ MORE
Love the everyday details in life
Announced by ReSound on August 16, 2022, Omnia is ReSound's flagship line of hearing aids for mild-to-severe hearing losses. Omnia is most well-kn... READ MORE
This sound changes everything
Released on July 8, 2020, MOMENT is Widex's flagship line of hearing aids, available in all styles, and for all hearing losses. MOMENT is most wel... READ MORE
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Common questions about bluetooth hearing aids
Pairing instructions
1. Make sure that your phone's Bluetooth is on. Go to Settings > Bluetooth, and make sure the toggle switch is set to On.
2. Open and close the battery doors on your hearing device. Or, if you use rechargeable hearing aids, switch the hearing aids off and on again, by pressing and holding the toggle down button for 3 seconds to turn them off, and repeating to turn them back on.
3. On your Apple device, go to Settings > Accessibility > Hearing, and select Hearing Devices.
4. Your Apple device will search for your hearing device.
5. Under MFi Hearing Devices, tap the name of your hearing device.
6. Tap Pair when you see the pairing request on the screen. If you have two hearing devices, you'll get two requests. Pairing could take up to a minute.
7. You can start using your hearing device when you see it under MFi Hearing Devices with a check mark.
Pairing instructions
1. Go to the Android phone’s home screen and tap on the “Settings” icon.
2. In the settings menu, tap on the Bluetooth icon.
3. Tap on the slider button to turn Bluetooth on.
4. Open the hearing aid battery doors for 5 seconds, then close the doors. This will put the hearing aids in pairing mode.. Or, if you use rechargeable hearing aids, switch the hearing aids off and on again, by pressing and holding the toggle down button for three seconds, and then repeating to turn the hearing aids back on.
5. On the Android phone, you will now see a message, “Available Devices.”
6. The name of your hearing aid will appear on the screen with a telephone icon next to it. Tap on it to select.
7. A connection beep will be heard in the paired hearing aid.
8. Your Android phone is now connected to your hearing aids.