Cell phone accessories and compatible hearing aid features can make it easier to hear phone calls, stream audio, and use your hearing aids with the technology that's already part of your daily life.
At Apex Audiology, our audiologists can help you understand how your hearing aids work with your phone and whether an additional accessory may be useful. Because compatibility varies between devices, we consider your hearing aids, phone, connectivity needs, and how you want to use them before discussing your options.
Today's hearing aids can work with cell phones in several different ways. Some connect directly to compatible smartphones, while others may use an additional accessory to transmit calls or audio to your hearing aids.
Your available options depend on factors such as:
Your hearing aid make and model
Your cell phone and operating system
Available Bluetooth capabilities
Features built into your hearing aids
The type of calls, streaming, or controls you want to use
Not every hearing aid connects to every phone in the same way. Our audiologists can help you understand what's compatible with the hearing technology you already use.
Depending on your hearing aids and smartphone, several connectivity options may be available.
Compatible Bluetooth hearing aids may connect directly with your smartphone, allowing audio to stream through your hearing aids without an additional device.
Depending on your hearing aids and phone, this may allow you to:
Hear phone calls through your hearing aids
Stream music, podcasts, videos, and other audio
Use supported hands-free calling features
Many hearing aid manufacturers offer smartphone apps that work with compatible devices. Depending on your hearing aids, an app may allow you to:
Adjust volume
Change listening programs
Check battery or charging status
Manage streaming and connectivity
Access other supported hearing aid settings
We'll help you understand which features are available with your particular devices and how they may fit into your everyday use.
Not every hearing aid or phone supports the same type of direct connection. In some cases, an additional streaming or phone accessory can help transmit audio between your phone and hearing aids.
At Apex Audiology, we'll help you determine whether an accessory is actually necessary and which options may be compatible with your devices.
A cell phone accessory or compatible connectivity feature may be useful if you:
Have difficulty hearing phone conversations clearly
Want calls delivered directly through your hearing aids
Want to stream music, videos, or other audio
Would like greater control of your hearing aids from your phone
Have hearing aids that don't support the direct connectivity you need
Want supported hands-free calling capabilities
Need help connecting your current hearing aids with your smartphone
You may not need to purchase an additional accessory. Your hearing aids may already have features that can provide the connectivity you're looking for.
For three generations, Apex Audiology has helped people make hearing technology work for their individual needs. Cell phone connectivity is no different.
Rather than starting with a particular accessory, we look at what you already use and what you're trying to accomplish.
First, we consider your hearing aid manufacturer and model, the connectivity features already available, and whether your devices support direct streaming or require an additional accessory.
As an independent practice that works with leading hearing aid manufacturers, Apex Audiology has experience with a wide range of hearing aid technology and connectivity options.
Your needs help guide the recommendation. You may primarily want to hear phone conversations more clearly, while someone else may want to stream music, use video calls, or control hearing aid settings through an app.
We'll focus on the features that are useful for how you actually use your phone and hearing aids.
If an additional accessory may help, we'll explain the options that are compatible with your hearing aids and the function each one provides.
The goal isn't to add more technology than you need. It's to make the hearing technology you use every day easier and more convenient to manage.
While many newer hearing aids offer direct wireless connectivity, other hearing aids use telecoils and compatible accessories to connect with phones and other audio sources.
A telecoil, or T-coil, is a small component built into some hearing aids that can receive magnetic audio signals from compatible phones, hearing loops, and accessories.
For patients whose hearing aids include a telecoil, compatible accessories may provide another way to hear phone or audio signals through their devices.
A compatible neckloop is worn around the neck and creates a magnetic signal that can be received by telecoil-equipped hearing aids. Depending on the setup, it can transmit audio from a compatible phone or other device to both hearing aids.
An earhook silhouette works similarly to a neckloop but sits near the hearing aid behind the ear. It can transmit a magnetic signal to a compatible telecoil-equipped hearing aid.
Whether one of these options makes sense depends on the hearing aids and other technology you're already using.
Compatibility can vary considerably between hearing aids, phones, operating systems, and accessories. Before purchasing something new, it's worth checking:
Is the phone or accessory compatible with your hearing aids?
Does it support the connectivity features you want?
Will you need an additional streaming device?
Is the hearing aid manufacturer's app compatible with your phone?
Can you test the phone or accessory with your hearing aids before purchasing?
What return or exchange options are available if the setup doesn't work as expected?
When possible, try a new phone or accessory with your hearing aids before purchasing it, rather than assuming two devices will work together.
Whether you want to hear calls through your hearing aids, stream audio, use a hearing aid app, or understand whether an accessory could make your devices easier to use, we can help you explore your options.
With two locations in Colorado Springs and clinics in Pueblo and Canon City, our audiologists are here to help you get more from the hearing technology you use every day.
If you need cell phone accessories, call us or schedule an appointment online with one of our hearing specialists for a hearing evaluation.
