In our last vlog, we showed you how to pair Bluetooth compatible hearing aids to a smartphone. As hearing aid users continue to become increasingly tech savvy and hearing instruments continue to become more advanced, the demand for connecting hearing aids to smartphones is growing steadily. Today, almost all hearing aids available are Bluetooth compatible. Having the option to connect your hearing aids to your smartphone opens the door for even further improvements in communication in your day-to-day life while wearing your hearing aids.
Depending on your Bluetooth compatible hearing aids, you will be able to connect them directly to your smartphone, or with the use of a streaming device provided by your hearing aid manufacturer. Your audiologist will tell you if you need a streaming device.
Below are some of the ways you can get the most out of your hearing aids by connecting them to your smartphone:
STREAMING PHONE CALLS:
Many hearing aid wearers have difficulty hearing conversations on the phone even while wearing their hearing aids. A big part of this is that when you are speaking on the phone, you are hearing your conversation partner in one ear only. By connecting your hearing aids to your smartphone, you can stream phone calls directly to your hearing aids; essentially turning your hearing aids into a wireless headset. Not only does this allow you to hear your conversation partner in both ears at the same time, but it sends a clear signal to your ears through your hearing aids which can make listening much easier when there is background noise present. Lastly, you can enjoy hands-free conversations which can allow you to multitask at the same time!
STREAMING MUSIC:
We have many patients who are music lovers at our clinics. Many of these patients are also smartphone users who have music apps on their phone such as Spotify and Apple Music. By connecting your hearing aids to your phone, you can stream your favourite music directly to your hearing aids. No more need for earbuds or wireless headphones!
STREAMING VIDEO CALLS:
Video call programs such as Facetime, Skype and Zoom have become widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic to connect with loved ones across the country and beyond. Many of our patients report difficulty hearing their grandchildren during these video calls. By connecting your hearing aids to your smartphone for streaming video calls, you can hear the voices of your loved ones in both ears at the same time. This feature works for iPads, too!
STREAMING VIDEOS:
Videos on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram (or any other app!) can also be streamed to your hearing aids. This option is great for those who may want to watch a video on their smartphone in public without disturbing others around them. This feature can also be used on iPads as well.
FIND MY HEARING AID FEATURE:
Hearing aid users who wear behind-the-ear or receiver-in-the-ear/canal style hearing aids know all too well the difficulty of wearing their hearing aids while also wearing a mask during the COVID-19 pandemic. (see video here for tips on wearing hearing aids with a mask). While we recommend the tips mentioned in this video, we also strongly recommend taking advantage of the Find My Hearing Aid Feature in your hearing aid manufacturer app! If a hearing aid accidentally falls off due to the removal of your mask, using this app, you can track down your lost hearing aid on the map! We have had patients of ours lose their hearing aids only to find them again using this feature.
If you have questions about your connectivity options or would like to schedule a consultation with one of our certified audiologists, give us a call at 902-865-4455 or 902-465-4334!
