Thanks to advancements in hearing aid technology, staying engaged and connected with the world around you has never been easier. One of the most exciting developments is the introduction of Bluetooth hearing aids. This technology allows you to wirelessly stream phone calls, music, and other audio directly to your ears through your hearing aids. But the innovations don’t stop there.
In this guide, we explain everything you need to know about Bluetooth hearing aids, including a look at the future of this revolutionary technology.
What Are Bluetooth Hearing Aids?
Bluetooth is a technology that lets electronic devices connect to each other wirelessly. It’s built into many electronics we use every day, including smartphones, tablets, computers, headphones, speakers, TVs, and so much more.
Bluetooth hearing aids let you wirelessly connect to your favorite electronics and stream music, calls, podcasts, books, and other audio directly to your ears. But that’s not all Bluetooth technology brings to the table.
From hands-free calling to streaming the audio of your favorite TV show and more, Bluetooth hearing aids offer tons of benefits that enhance daily communication and quality of life:
Wireless Audio Streaming from All Your Favorite Devices
Bluetooth hearing aids are designed to work seamlessly with the electronic devices you likely already use every day. Simply pair your hearing aids with your smartphone, tablet, computer, or TV to enjoy your favorite audio whenever you’d like.
You can listen to music, podcasts, audiobooks, TV shows, and movies with rich, personalized sound tailored to your hearing needs.
Bluetooth Hearing Aid Accessories
In addition to connecting with smartphones and other electronics, many Bluetooth hearing aids also work with a wide range of wireless hearing accessories:
- StarLink Edge TV Streamer: Stream audio directly from your TV to your hearing aids with zero lag, fuzziness, or delay.
- StarLink Remote Control: Conveniently adjust the volume and settings of your hearing aids with a discreet handheld device you can take anywhere.
- Table Microphone: Place this in the center of your next group conversation to reclaim confidence and hear every word with clarity.
- Remote Microphone+ / Mini Remote Microphone: Stream one-on-one conversations right to your hearing aids in loud or challenging environments.
With Bluetooth hearing aid accessories, you can boost speech clarity and sound quality in the environments that are most challenging for you. This allows you to hear more clearly, communicate more easily, and stay fully immersed in every moment.
Stream Phone Calls Directly to Your Hearing Aids
Missing important phone calls or struggling to hear them is frustrating for anyone. Bluetooth technology allows you to stream phone calls straight to your hearing aids, making every conversation clearer and more natural.
Advanced hearing aids like Vitality AI and Intrigue AI even support hands-free calling thanks to 2-way microphones that pick up and transmit your voice back to the caller. This means you can talk and listen through your hearing aids without holding your phone at all, just like wearing a wireless earpiece, but better.
Using Siri with Your Hearing Aids
If you use Apple products like an iPhone or iPad, you might also be able to use Siri with your Bluetooth hearing aids. If your hearing device has a 2-way microphone for features like hands-free calling, you can activate Siri right from your hearing aids.
Once paired, simply say “Hey Siri…” to ask questions, make phone calls, send messages, set reminders, and so much more.
Using Alexa with Your Hearing Aids
Thanks to Bluetooth, you can connect your hearing aids to your Alexa app and other Amazon® products like Echo devices and the Fire TV. This allows you to enjoy many Alexa features like streaming music, audiobooks, and other audio directly through your hearing aids.
You can also access your Amazon Echo and Fire TV via your hearing aids to stream audio from movies, TV shows, and other entertainment.
Bluetooth Hearing Aid Smartphone Apps
Most Bluetooth hearing aids have their own smartphone apps that put discreet control and added convenience right at your fingertips. With apps like My Audibel, you can fine-tune your settings, adjust volume, switch between sound programs, and so much more:
Use Your Hearing Aids to Translate Languages
With the introduction of hearing aid apps, some Bluetooth hearing aids also offer language translation features. For example, when paired with the My Audibel app, Audibel hearing aids like Vitality AI and Intrigue AI can translate up to 27 languages in real time.
Not only will the words appear written out on your smartphone screen in both languages, but it also uses Bluetooth to stream the translated audio directly through your hearing aids. This revolutionary technology breaks down communication barriers and makes conversations more accessible than ever.
Use Your Hearing Aids as a Fitness Tracker
Some of today’s most advanced Bluetooth hearing aids also have built-in motion sensors that can track your physical activity throughout the day. Just like a traditional fitness tracker, these sensors can count your steps, monitor your movement, and track how active you are.
Using Bluetooth technology, this data is shared and stored in your hearing aid app, allowing you to keep an eye on your health without needing an additional gadget. It’s a great way to stay motivated and mindful of your wellness, especially if you’re trying to maintain an independent and active lifestyle.
Automatic Fall Detection and Alerts
Safety is a top concern for many people, especially older adults with hearing loss or anyone concerned about falls. Some Bluetooth hearing aids offer automatic fall detection using the same sensors that track fitness data. If a fall is detected, an alert is automatically sent to a caregiver or family member for help.
Bluetooth technology bridges the gap between a detected fall and the automatic alert sent out to your support network. This feature provides safety and peace of mind, knowing that help can be notified in case of an emergency.
Self-Guided Balance Assessments
The My Audibel hearing aid app also features a self-guided assessment for checking your balance and stability. By following a series of simple movements, the motion sensors in your Bluetooth hearing aids assess your balance in the comfort and privacy of your own home. These assessments can help you understand your risk of falling and even track improvements over time if you’re doing balance exercises.
Having access to these tools at home can support your overall wellness and help you catch issues early. It’s one of many ways that Bluetooth hearing aids are evolving into comprehensive health and safety devices.
Advancements in Bluetooth Hearing Aid Technology
Recent advancements in wireless technology, including Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Audio Streaming and Bluetooth Auracast™, are set to transform the way people with hearing loss experience sound.
These technologies promise improved audio quality, longer battery life, and next-generation connectivity for hearing aid wearers.
What is Bluetooth Low Energy (LE)?
Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) offers the same reliable streaming quality and connection radius as traditional Bluetooth but requires much less battery power. This means you can wirelessly stream audio without draining your hearing aid batteries nearly as quickly.
Whether you’re listening to your favorite audiobook or taking phone calls, Bluetooth LE delivers uninterrupted, high-quality sound while conserving your hearing aid battery better than ever.
What is Auracast™ Broadcast Audio?
Auracast™ Broadcast Audio is an exciting new Bluetooth feature designed to make hearing in public places and shared audio experiences more accessible than ever. Auracast allows audio from one source to be shared with an unlimited number of other devices, with a wireless range of over 300 feet (~100 meters).
The device that sends out the audio broadcast is called an Auracast transmitter. An Auracast receiver is any compatible device that can receive the audio broadcast and play it, like headphones or hearing aids.
With Auracast technology, you can stream audio broadcasts directly to your hearing aids, making public spaces more accessible and everyday listening easier than ever. Plus, thanks to Bluetooth LE, Auracast requires much less power, so it won’t drain your hearing aid battery.
Auracast™ Broadcast Audio will be available in a variety of public spaces, including:
- Public Transportation Hubs: Airports, train stations, and bus terminals offering PA announcements
- Informational Tours: Museums, historical sites, and attractions providing guided audio tours
- Multilingual Venues: Conferences, convention centers, and meeting halls with real-time language translation services
- Entertainment Venues: Movie theaters, live performance centers, houses of worship, and other venues using assistive listening systems
- Public Viewing Areas: Gyms, waiting rooms, bars, and other public spaces where muted TVs are commonly used
This next-generation Bluetooth technology opens a whole new world of convenience and accessibility, making it easier to stay connected and engaged in more places. While Auracast isn’t officially available yet, it will be rolling out soon, and hearing aids like Vitality AI are already compatible with it!
Demo the Latest Bluetooth Hearing Aid Technology for Free at Audibel
Bluetooth hearing aids represent a major leap forward in hearing technology, offering innovative connectivity and personalization features. While the benefits are clear, the future of wireless hearing aid technology promises even more exciting advancements.
Ready to experience the benefits of Bluetooth hearing aids for yourself? Find an Audibel clinic near you today to schedule a free demo.
Have a question or Comment?