Can hearing aids connect to your phone and TV?

Modern hearing aids are increasingly like small wireless earpieces as well as listening devices. Many can connect to phones, televisions and other devices, streaming sound directly into your ears. This connectivity is one of the biggest changes in hearing technology in recent years and can make everyday tasks easier and more enjoyable.

How do hearing aids connect to your phone?

Most connectivity uses Bluetooth. Many current hearing aids can pair with a smartphone so that phone calls, music, podcasts and video sound stream straight into the aids, often with adjustable volume. Compatibility can depend on your phone; some hearing aids stream directly to certain iPhone and Android models, while others use a small intermediary device for the widest compatibility. Many aids also come with an app that lets you adjust settings, change programs and sometimes locate a misplaced aid.

Can hearing aids connect to the TV?

Yes. Television is one of the most popular uses of connectivity. Options generally include:

• A TV streaming accessory: A small transmitter plugs into your television and sends the sound wirelessly to your hearing aids, so you hear it clearly at your own level.
• Direct Bluetooth: Some newer televisions and setups can connect without an extra accessory.

Because the sound goes into your hearing aids at a volume tuned to your hearing, you can often enjoy the television comfortably while others in the room keep it at a level that suits them. This can ease a common source of household friction.

What else can connected hearing aids do?

Depending on the model, connected aids may also:

• Stream audio from tablets and computers for video calls and entertainment
• Work with hands-free calling
• Let you fine-tune sound through an app for different environments
• Connect to other assistive listening devices and, in some public venues, hearing loops

Features vary considerably between brands, models and price points, so it is worth being clear about what you want to use.

How do you choose the right option?

The best choice depends on your hearing, the devices you own and how you like to listen. Not every hearing aid offers every feature, and some accessories are model-specific. An audiologist can match connectivity features to your needs, check compatibility with your phone and television, and show you how to set everything up so it is easy to use day to day.

It is also worth remembering that connectivity is a helpful bonus rather than the main purpose; the priority is choosing an aid that suits your hearing well, with streaming as a convenient extra. If you are not especially interested in streaming, that is perfectly fine, and it should not be the deciding factor over how well an aid helps you hear day to day.

Keep in mind that technology and app features change over time, and battery use can be higher when you stream a lot, so it helps to ask how a particular model performs in real use rather than relying on the feature list alone.

At Hearing Help in Newport Marketplace on the Redcliffe Peninsula, you can book a hearing assessment without a referral, and the audiologist can talk through hearing aids with the phone and TV connectivity that would suit you.