Wireless Accessories That Make Hearing Aids Work Better

Hearing aids are often the first piece of technology people think about when it comes to hearing, but they aren’t the only option available.

Many modern devices can connect to accessories that are designed for specific situations, like phone calls, television or other activities. As hearing technology has evolved, so have the ways individuals can interact with sound throughout the day.

Wireless accessories come in several forms and serve different purposes.

Some are designed to work alongside hearing aids, while others connect directly to phones, televisions and other devices. Looking at the available options can provide a better idea of how these tools fit into today’s hearing technology.

What Wireless Accessories Can Do for Your Hearing Aids

Wireless accessories are separate devices that connect to hearing aids. They create a link between hearing aids and other electronic devices, allowing information or audio to be shared between them.

Most use Bluetooth or similar wireless technology to make that connection. Some are designed to transmit sound, while others provide control over certain hearing aid functions.

Their purpose is not to change how the hearing aid works on its own, but to add connections that would not otherwise be available.

Using Remote Microphones to Hear Better in Crowded Places

Remote microphones are designed for situations where the person you want to hear isn’t standing right next to you. The microphone is placed near the speaker and sends their voice directly to the hearing aids.

Because it is much closer to the speaker than the listener is, it picks up more of that person’s voice and less of the surrounding sound.

This approach is different from relying on hearing aids alone, which must process everything happening in the environment at the same time.

Crowded restaurants, meetings, classrooms and group gatherings are common examples of where remote microphones are used. In these settings, conversations are often taking place at the same time and speakers may be several feet away.

Placing a microphone near the primary speaker reduces the distance between the voice and the microphone itself. As a result, more of the speaker’s voice reaches hearing aids before it becomes mixed with other sounds in the room.

Enjoying Clearer TV Sound with Streaming Devices

TV streaming accessories connect a television directly to compatible hearing aids. Once connected, the audio from the television is sent wirelessly to the devices instead of relying only on the TV speakers.

The sound doesn’t have to travel across the room before reaching the listener. As a result, distance, room acoustics and background noise may have less influence on the audio that reaches the hearing aids.

Many streaming accessories also allow television audio and room volume to be adjusted separately.

This can be useful when more than one person is watching television. Each person can use settings that work for their own listening preferences.

Making Hands-Free Calls with Wireless Phone Clips

Wireless phone clips connect a smartphone to compatible devices, allowing calls to be handled without holding the phone to your ear. The clip is usually worn on a shirt, jacket or collar.

During a call, it receives audio from the phone and sends it to the hearing aids. The clip also picks up your voice and sends it back through the phone.

Because the microphone stays close to the speaker, there’s no need to keep the phone next to your ear throughout the conversation. Calls can continue while walking, working or doing other tasks that require both hands.

Some phone clips can connect to additional devices as well. Their main purpose, however, is to create a wireless link between a phone and hearing aids for calling.

Smartphone Apps

Smartphone apps give you a way to interact with their devices through a phone or tablet. After your devices are paired, the app can be opened like any other mobile application.

From there, you can view information about them and access available controls. Depending on the system, settings can be adjusted with a few taps on the screen.

Different listening programs can also be selected without touching your hearing aids themselves.

Apps may also display information about connected accessories. In some systems, accessory controls are available from the same screen used to manage the hearing aids.

The exact layout varies by manufacturer. The basic process, however, is usually straightforward. Open the app, select the feature you want to use and make changes from the phone or tablet.

Adjusting Your Hearing Aid Settings with Remote Controls

Remote controls let you adjust settings without reaching for a smartphone or touching the devices themselves. For you, that convenience is useful in situations where pulling out a phone isn’t practical or when quick changes are needed.

Depending on the model, remote controls can provide access to several commonly used settings:

• • Raise or lower volume levels.
  • Switch between listening programs.
  • Mute or unmute hearing aids.
  • Adjust settings for different listening environments.
  • Control both hearing aids at the same time.
  • Make quick changes without removing the devices.
  • Access common functions through simple buttons rather than a phone app.
  • Change settings discreetly during meetings, conversations or events.

How Bluetooth Helps Modern Hearing Aid Features Work Smoothly

When audio is streamed, settings are adjusted through an app or a call is routed through a connected device, Bluetooth is carrying that information from one device to another.

Most of that activity happens automatically, which is why many individuals rarely think about Bluetooth itself. Even so, it is the technology that allows many of today’s wireless hearing aid features to function.

Connecting Hearing Aids to Smartphones and Tablets

Connecting hearing aids to a smartphone or tablet usually begins with a pairing process. Pairing allows the devices to recognize one another and establish a wireless connection.

In most cases, they are first placed into pairing mode. They are then selected from the Bluetooth menu on the phone or tablet.

Once the connection is accepted, the devices can reconnect automatically when Bluetooth is turned on and the devices are within range.

After pairing is complete, the smartphone or tablet can communicate directly with your hearing aids. Depending on the model, the connection may support phone calls, media streaming, mobile apps and other wireless features.

Troubleshooting Your Wireless Accessories

Wireless accessories depend on several devices working together. Before assuming a repair is needed, it can be helpful to check a few common settings:

• • Make sure the accessory is charged and powered on.
  • Confirm that Bluetooth is turned on for any connected phones, tablets or other devices.
  • Check that the accessory is still paired with your device.
  • Restart the accessory and reconnect it if the connection has been interrupted.
  • Review the app for connection status or notifications.

Picking the Best Accessory for Your Local Lifestyle

The situations that come up most often are usually the best place to start. Someone who spends a lot of time on the phone may have different needs than someone who regularly attends meetings or watches television each evening.

Looking at your habits can provide a better idea of which accessories are likely to see regular use and which ones may not.

Keeping Your Wireless Accessories in Good Working Order

Wireless accessories are often used alongside hearing aids throughout the day. They may be used for phone calls, television, remote microphones or app controls.

Because they are used regularly, many people keep them charged, clean and stored in a consistent location when they’re not in use. Having a designated place for accessories can make them easier to find. It also helps keep chargers, cables and other components together.

Like hearing aids, wireless accessories are part of a larger connected system. Phones, tablets and hearing aid apps may receive updates from time to time.

Accessories continue to work alongside those devices as technology changes. Taking a few moments to clean an accessory, charge it and confirm connections are working as expected can help keep everything ready.

Wireless Accessories for Better Hearing

Wireless accessories have expanded the ways hearing aids can connect with the technology you use. Phones, televisions, remote microphones and other accessories can all become part of the system.

Which accessories you use often comes down to how you spend your time and which connections matter most.

As wireless technology has become more common, hearing aids have become connected to more of the devices you already use every day. If you’d like to learn more about wireless accessories and how they work with your hearing aids, Victory Hearing Care in Warrenton can help.

Our hearing specialists can explain compatibility, demonstrate available features and answer questions about the technology. Call us today at (540) 207-7350.