Bluetooth & Rechargeable Hearing Aids

Bluetooth Hearing Aids

Bluetooth is a non-proprietary wireless communication standard. It doesn’t belong to any one manufacturer, but is used throughout the electronics industry as a protocol for different devices to “talk” wirelessly to each other. You’ll find Bluetooth in most electronic gadgets on the market today, including smartphones, computers, loudspeakers, car audio systems, and more.

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While Bluetooth has existed for a relatively long time,

only recently has the protocol been introduced in a form that draws small amounts of power, allowing it to be practical for prolonged use with hearing aids. Bluetooth is also the protocol used for connecting “hearables” to smartphones, such as Apple Airpods and similar devices. Using Bluetooth with hearing aids allows you to have all the connectivity and flexibility available with hearables, but with a sound quality that is adjusted for your specific hearing loss.

You can use Bluetooth to stream the audio from phone calls, music players or televisions directly to your hearing aids. This alone is a powerful tool for use throughout your day, but it’s not all.

Bluetooth connectivity also allows smart apps from your hearing aid manufacturer to connect directly with your hearing aids. This allows you to use apps to control the volume, programming, and other functionality of your hearing aids directly from your smartphone, rather than using a separate remote control. You can even use the apps for telehealth conferences, and we can even administer a hearing test and adjust the fitment of your hearing aids directly through the app! This is a powerful service that makes it easier to ensure that your hearing aids are giving you the amplification you require, ultimately improving their performance.

When you come in to see us for your hearing test appointment, talk to us about Bluetooth and we can answer any questions you have and help you determine if Bluetooth is an important feature for you.

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Rechargeable vs Disposable Hearing Aid Batteries

Bluetooth is a non-proprietary wireless communication standard. It doesn’t belong to any one manufacturer, but is used throughout the electronics industry as a protocol for different devices to “talk” wirelessly to each other. You’ll find Bluetooth in most electronic gadgets on the market today, including smartphones, computers, loudspeakers, car audio systems, and more.

Disposable Hearing Aid Batteries

Until recently, hearing aids have required small, disposable batteries that last in the range of a few days to a couple weeks, depending on a variety of factors. These batteries use a “zinc-air” technology that uses the air to activate them, and it is best to allow the battery to interact with the air for about one minute before you insert them in your hearing aids.

The hearing aids themselves incorporate a small battery compartment that has a door, where you insert and remove the batteries when necessary. The size of your hearing aids will determine which of four standard battery sizes you need to use.

Some considerations that might make disposable batteries the better choice for you:

Longer Life

Accessibility

Portability

Rechargeable Hearing Aid Batteries

In recent years, rechargeable battery technology has improved dramatically. It is now possible for a lithium-ion rechargeable battery of the size required to fit inside a hearing aid to practically provide power to the hearing aid for a full day’s use. Most manufacturers today offer both rechargeable and disposable battery options for their hearing aids (with and without Bluetooth, independently of battery choice). While not all models of hearing aid are available in both battery options, it is possible for most styles of hearing aid to be offered with one or the other battery type.

Some considerations that might make rechargeable batteries the better choice for you:

No Battery Changing

Charging Is Easy

Better Moisture & Dirt Resistance

Environmentally Friendly

If you’re in the market for new hearing aids, talk to us today about Bluetooth and rechargeability to see if one or both of these options is right for you.

We can help find the best hearing solution for you!

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