Hearing aids and connecting them to your mobile phone

With hearing aids connected to your mobile phone, you can hear phone calls more clearly.

Your hearing aids work independently, whether or not they are connected to your mobile phone. Ask yourself whether you can hear and understand what is being said clearly during phone calls. If you struggle with this, connecting your mobile phone to your hearing aids can be a good solution.

Once your mobile phone and hearing aids have been paired, phone calls or, for example, music or radio can be streamed directly to your hearing aids. This can make speech or music clearer and easier to hear. The audio is transmitted via Bluetooth, which you can read more about further down in this article.

You can also control your hearing aids using a dedicated mobile app.

The second way of connecting your hearing aids to your mobile phone is by downloading an app. Through the app, you can adjust the volume, change programmes and check information such as battery life. Different hearing aid manufacturers have different apps, so you need to download the app that is compatible with your hearing aids. Your hearing aids will work independently whether or not you have the app.

With most hearing aids, you do not need to be connected to your mobile phone for both phone calls and the app at the same time. You can choose which function you want to use according to your needs.

What is Bluetooth?

Bluetooth is a wireless connection that allows audio to be transmitted from your mobile phone to your hearing aids. It works like an invisible cable between two devices. When they are connected (this is called “pairing”), they can send and receive audio, information or commands. Bluetooth must always be switched on on your mobile phone. Most smartphones have Bluetooth enabled at all times. Above, you can see an example of Bluetooth being switched on in the “Settings” menu on an iPhone.

Can your hearing aids connect to your mobile phone?

Most hearing aids from 2019 onwards can be paired with a smartphone, as they have built-in Bluetooth. Whether your hearing aids can connect to your mobile phone depends on whether they are MFi (Made for iPhone) or have Bluetooth Classic built in. It also depends on whether you use an Android phone, iPhone or Doro phone. Your audiologist can tell you whether your hearing aids can connect to your mobile phone and whether two-way communication is supported, allowing your hearing aids to be used as a hands-free solution.

Here is a brief overview.

MFi hearing aids that can be paired with iPhone:

• Signia, ReSound, Widex, Starkey, Bernafon and Oticon

  • These can also be connected to Android phones, but do not support two-way communication.

This means that you can receive phone calls and streamed audio through your hearing aids, but you will need to speak into your mobile phone as before, by holding it near your ear.

Bluetooth Classic hearing aids that can be paired with both Android and iPhone:

• Phonak, Hansaton and Signia

  • These support two-way communication, allowing you to place your phone on a table or on the car seat beside you and use your hearing aids as a hands-free solution.
    

Can hearing aids connect to Doro phones?

Yes, both Doro flip phones and Doro smartphones can be connected to hearing aids from Phonak and Hansaton. Unfortunately, some users may experience an unstable connection due to the relatively limited Bluetooth antenna design in some Doro phones.

All newer hearing aids can be paired with an app on your mobile phone, regardless of whether you use an iPhone or Android.

Pairing procedure:

IMPORTANT: In most cases, the hearing aids must first be connected via Bluetooth to enable streaming of phone calls or music. The mobile app should then be downloaded or opened. The hearing aids are subsequently connected within the app itself.

To make the hearing aids discoverable for pairing via Bluetooth or the mobile app, you generally need to switch them off and on. If you use rechargeable hearing aids, place them in the charging station and then remove them from the charger. They will then be discoverable for pairing. If you use replaceable batteries, switch the hearing aids off and on using the battery compartment.

Common issues that may occur when your hearing aids are connected to your mobile phone and app:

• You have purchased a new mobile phone and cannot connect to your hearing aids:

  • Remove and reinstall the mobile app.

  • Remove old connections from the Bluetooth menu.

  • Set up the Bluetooth and app connections with your hearing aids again.
    

• You suddenly cannot connect to your mobile phone or mobile app through your hearing aids:

  • Restart your mobile phone.

  • Check that the ringtone volume is not muted.

  • Check that Bluetooth is enabled on your mobile phone.

  • Check whether there are any new software or app updates available on your phone.

  • Ask your audiologist whether there is a new software or firmware update available for your hearing aids.

  • Check whether your mobile phone may be too old to provide a stable connection to your hearing aids.

  • If the person you are speaking to cannot hear you clearly, check whether the hearing aid microphones may be blocked by dirt or debris.

If you are experiencing problems connecting your hearing aids to your mobile phone or app, or find it difficult to figure out how to set everything up:

Contact us by phone: 990 99 779 or via: https://www.audioplus.no/kontakt-oss-audioplus

We are more than happy to assist you :-)