If you’ve bought a new hearing aid in the last few years, there is a chance that it has Bluetooth capability. While Bluetooth might be most familiar to you as the technology that allows hands-free calling on your cellular phone, it has become a capability on numerous consumer devices over the past few years, including TVs, computers, home phones and mp3 players, just to mention a few. The Bluetooth technology in your hearing aid lets you communicate with these devices in new ways, improving your listening experience and enjoyment.
A hearing aid’s Bluetooth capabilities are normally accessed by a standalone device which is both small and easy to use. Typically these devices–often called controllers–are meant to be carried in a pocket or worn around the owner’s neck. The controller’s role is to receive signals from other Bluetooth-enabled devices and transmit them wirelessly to your hearing aids. That implies no more having to increase the volume on your TV, phone or other Bluetooth-compatible devices, since you can have the sound signals sent directly to your hearing aids. You can even use it to listen to phone conversations in both ears, making it even easier to hear.
Your Bluetooth controller will be designed for easy use. Most controllers detect Bluetooth signals at the push of a button. For instance, if you want to listen to your phone through your hearing aid, simply press the phone button to activate it. Depending upon the specific type of Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids you have, you may also be able to access other features as well.
The additional safety and comfort that come with Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids can be particularly significant for older people with limited mobility. Some of the newer designs allow the wearer to place telephone calls up to 30 feet away from the phone, providing easy communication without needing to move to the phone. This ease of access may be lifesaving in case of an emergency.
Bluetooth-equipped hearing aids provide a quality listening experience which is difficult or impossible to replicate using any other technology solution. Bluetooth is user friendly and has a big impact on your ability to hear, allowing you to hear things you never thought would be possible.
