In order to understand what makes the best Bluetooth over-the-counter hearing aids and what they have to offer, it is important to understand what Bluetooth is.
Bluetooth is the wireless radio frequency connection between one Bluetooth-enabled device and another Bluetooth-enabled device. It operates in the 2.4 GHz bandwidth.
Some examples of Bluetooth devices:
- Wireless keyboards and mouses
- Earbuds
- Car calling speaker
Bluetooth was designed in 1994 for long-term wireless streaming of audio sources between two nearby devices. The problem with Bluetooth in hearing aids though is the amount of power consumption it takes up. Batteries in hearing aids are very small and so standard Bluetooth use in a hearing aid is difficult because the batteries die too quickly.
Bluetooth Low Energy in Hearing Aids
The battery consumption issue in standard Bluetooth led to hearing aids adopting Bluetooth low energy (LE). Bluetooth LE still operated in the 2.4 GHz band but remains in sleep mode unless in connection mode, which lasts only a few milliseconds.
Some other examples of Bluetooth LE devices:
- Blood pressure monitoring devices
- Fitbits
- Mobile payments
Hearing aids with Bluetooth Low Energy allows the hearing aids to connect to smartphones through the app for use of the app as a remote control. Since the connection does not involve long-term audio streaming, the smartphone can still be connected to the hearing aids for app use.
There are some hearing aids that only utilize Bluetooth LE for app functionality, but don’t actually allow for direct audio streaming (without the use of a streamer). In order to make this list of the best Bluetooth over-the-counter hearing aids, we are focusing on Bluetooth hearing aids that stream audio directly to the hearing aids, including Made for iPhone or Made for Android hearing aids.
Best Bluetooth over-the-counter hearing aids
What Are Made for iPhone Hearing Aids?
Apple patented a Bluetooth connectivity that allows certain hearing aids, called “Made for iPhone hearing aids”, connect with iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch devices. Think of this Bluetooth compatibility as a “language”. Only hearing aids that speak this Bluetooth language can communicate with Apple devices.
The hearing aids are not connected to Bluetooth devices through the Bluetooth screen on the iOS device. There is a separate hearing device section through the accessibility tab of the device where the hearing aids are connected. For support from Apple on Made for iPhone hearing aids, click here.
Can Hearing Aids Connect to Android Phones?
Yes, some Bluetooth hearing aids can connect with Android Phones using Google’s Bluetooth compatibility (Android language). As of now, the number of hearing aids that can connect to Android phones for Bluetooth streaming is limited.
Using a Bluetooth Streamer to Connect Hearing Aids to Other Devices
Because most Bluetooth devices like televisions or audio systems use the standard Bluetooth protocol, the hearing aids may not be able to connect to those devices directly. This is where hearing aid manufacturers have provided a work-around to allow Bluetooth connectivity with a device that speaks another Bluetooth “language”. This workaround is with the use of a secondary device, often called a “streamer”.
A Bluetooth streamer is an interface between a Bluetooth hearing aid and another Bluetooth-enabled device that you are trying to stream audio from. The streamer connects to the Bluetooth device and the hearing aids wirelessly connect to the streamer. The streamer will pick up the Bluetooth signal from the device and then the streamer delivers the audio to the hearing aids via either FM or through NFMI (near field magnetic induction). This creates an audio connection between the devices, without the battery drain.
Is Bluetooth Technology in Hearing Aids Safe?
Bluetooth technology is a secure wireless platform connecting two device within a close range. Bluetooth is an electronic industry protocol that has been used in mobile phones for years. It is the same protocol used in hearing aids, no matter what the brand is. It has been tested and proven safe for everyday use.
Pros of Bluetooth Hearing Aids
Bluetooth hearing aids allow the user to connect their personal devices such as iOS and Android phones, televisions, computers and tablets to their hearing aids to stream audio (music, phone calls, TV audio, audiobooks, podcasts, etc). Some things Bluetooth hearing aids can do include:
- Stream phone calls through the hearing aids without having to hold the phone up to the ear.
- Connect to a hearing aid app to change volume, programs, check battery life, or allow remote connection with their audiologist.
- Listen to podcasts, music, or audiobooks through the hearing aids.
- Allow for health/fitness tracking through AI features such as heart rate or fall detection .
- Listen to the audio coming from a TV through the hearing aids.
The Benefits of Bluetooth Hearing Aids
1. Easier Listening
The Bluetooth signal often streams to both hearing aids making binaural listening (hearing the audio in both ears at the same time) possible on the phone when you would otherwise be hearing the conversation in only one ear (the ear you’re holding the phone up to). Binaural listening has a lot of benefits for speech intelligibility. Not only that but when the Bluetooth signal is streamed through hearing aids, the audio settings are usually customized to match the aids amplification settings, i.e. compensates for the wearer’s hearing loss.
We often sit further from the TV than we do if we were having a face-to-face conversation with a friend so background interference and poor room acoustics can make TV listening more challenging. When television is streamed to both hearing aids via Bluetooth, the TV is often easier to hear because the audio is delivered directly to the ears instead of having to travel through the room, where the audio is degraded by the time it reaches the ear.
2. Convenience/Accessibility
Instead of having to switch from their hearing aids to earbuds to listen to music on their morning jog, the hearing aids actually double as Bluetooth wireless earbuds. The user with a Bluetooth hearing aid can hear their music streaming directly into their ears through their hearing aids.
On the smartphone, the conversation is streamed to the hearing aids, making for a convenient hands-free connection. That sure does beat having to hold the phone up to the ear, especially for a lengthy conversation.
Cons of Bluetooth Hearing Aids
There are three main reasons why an OTC hearing aid may not feature Bluetooth:
1. Smaller Size
Adding Bluetooth to a hearing aid takes up space within the electronics of the hearing aid, adding to the overall size of the hearing aid. That is why invisible OTC hearing aids typically do not have Bluetooth capability. To cut down on the size of the hearing aid for a more discreet and cosmetically appealing fit, manufacturers cut out the Bluetooth. However, with the new OTC legislation from the FDA, competition in the hearing aid market is up, which means it’s likely we will be seeing invisible Bluetooth hearing aids in the near future.
2. Less Costly
Bluetooth in a hearing aid often increases the cost. However, as Bluetooth begins to become the norm in hearing aids, this factor will likely go away as well. There are some low cost Bluetooth OTC hearing aids that have Bluetooth for app functionality only, but do not allow for streaming capabilities.
3. Battery Life
Bluetooth streaming is a battery drainer. The more streaming you do with your Bluetooth hearing aids, the quicker the battery will die. Some manufacturers opt to leave Bluetooth out to preserve battery life.
The Future of Bluetooth Hearing Aids
The future of Bluetooth in hearing aids will consist of something called Bluetooth LE Audio (LC-3), which will allow hearing aids to connect to an unlimited number of Bluetooth devices without sacrificing sound quality and battery life. LE Audio is starting to be incorporated into other audio devices, like headphones, and will hopefully be available in hearing aids in the next few years.
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