Bluetooth is a wireless technology that connects devices. Bluetooth LE technology is used in various products, including hearing aids. Bluetooth hearing aids are becoming increasingly popular. Some of the features of Bluetooth hearing aids include Location-Based Audio Sharing, Hands-free phone calls, and improved sound quality.
Location-Based Audio Sharing
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Location-based audio sharing (LE Audio) is a technology that provides high-quality audio for hearing-aid users. This technology connects hearing aids to public television stations, broadcast networks, and other audio sources. Users can hear flight details, bus route changes, and news reports without turning on their computers or phones.
With the help of Location-Based Audio Sharing, users can connect their hearing aids directly to their smartphones without needing third-party accessories. This technology can even provide audio readouts for intelligent home appliances. This technology will make life much easier for hearing-aid users. Currently, hearing-aid users have a difficult time hearing noises in public places. While telecoils help them hear sounds, most public venues do not have telecoil connectivity. Using Location-Based Audio Sharing, users will be automatically connected to any Bluetooth venue that offers Location-Based Audio Sharing. Connecting to a Location-Based Audio Sharing venue is simple and requires no special steps.
Another benefit of Location-Based Audio Sharing is that it allows users to receive audio directly to their hearing aids from a wide range of audio sources. Previously, a hearing aid user could only connect to specific audio sources, such as music or phone calls. Until now, this would have required the wearer to take his hearing aids off to use headphones. However, the connected technology makes this a much easier task, as the user can adjust the settings on the other device by connecting to the same Wi-Fi network.
Hands-Free Phone Calls
Bluetooth technology has enabled hearing aids such as the Phonak hearing aids Bluetooth to connect to mobile phones, allowing people to make and receive phone calls hands-free and in private. The use of hands-free phone calls is beneficial for those with tinnitus. Bluetooth hearing aids also make it easier to receive mobile phone calls since many people with hearing loss have trouble lip-reading.
Traditional wireless headsets are inconvenient for hearing aid wearers, and making phone calls is challenging. Bluetooth connectivity allows hands-free phone calls and music streaming from mobile devices to hearing aids. Bluetooth also makes it possible to make phone calls while driving or riding in a car.
Whether or not Bluetooth technology is right for you depends on your needs and lifestyle. A hearing specialist will be able to recommend the best option for you. It would help if you let your hearing specialist know the situations you spend most of your time in and which devices you currently use. Then, you can request to try a Bluetooth-enabled hearing aid and experience its benefits.
Streaming Audio From a Range of Devices
Until now, hearing aids have only limited audio streaming capabilities, so streaming music or audiobooks is nearly impossible. Now, Bluetooth-enabled devices have the potential to change that. With the release of Auracast, users can now stream audio from various devices to their hearing aids. The new technology works by connecting to nearby Bluetooth audio receivers. This makes it possible for people with hearing loss to use their hearing aids as earbuds or even to stream music from their smartphones.
One of the most significant improvements in Bluetooth technology was its ability to improve power efficiency dramatically. The new Bluetooth 5.2 technology allows users to stream audio from various devices without compromising battery life. Streaming audio using Bluetooth also reduces the airtime needed to send and receive data, saving battery power.
Streaming audio from various Bluetooth devices will also improve hearing aid users’ listening quality. Although most venues won’t provide telecoil connectivity, it will make listening in public settings easier for hearing aid users. With Location-Based Audio Sharing, these venues will stream sounds directly to users’ Bluetooth devices without any particular setup.
Improved Sound Quality
Bluetooth hearing aids offer enhanced sound quality and reduced noise in both noise-free and noise-rich environments. This feature reduces the amplification of background noises and turns off the hearing aid’s primary microphone, which can be distracting. This feature improves speech recognition quality and the naturalness of speech. However, it does come with some drawbacks.
One of the essential features of Bluetooth hearing aids is connecting to other devices via Bluetooth. They can communicate with other Bluetooth hearing aids and offer binaural hearing, allowing the user to listen to sounds clearly from both ears. Another benefit of Bluetooth devices is the ability to control them remotely through a second device or a smartphone app. Bluetooth technology also eliminates feedback and ensures a stable connection.
Bluetooth hearing aids can stream music from Bluetooth-enabled devices. A leading hearing aid manufacturer offers several models with Bluetooth connectivity.
