Smartphones make talking on the phone much easier for people with a hearing loss.
In the last two to three years, hearing aid manufacturers have been developing hearing aids that are compatible with iPhone and Android smartphones so that phone conversations stream directly into both hearing aids, said Barb Mackey, an audiologist with St. Elizabeth Healthcare. The hearing aids pair with the phone via Bluetooth and people with a hearing impairment can talk on the phone hands-free.
Covert hearing aid adjustments
It’s also possible to download an app to the smartphone that will act as a remote control, allowing users to adjust their hearing aids, such as changing the volume, the program, the treble versus the bass, or hitting mute. It’s even possible for the phone to find your hearing aid if it gets lost.
“I think this is one of the things that’s so nice about phone apps for hearing aids,” Mackey said. “There can be a stigma attached to using hearing aids. Because everyone has a cell phone these days and is always messing with them, it brings much less attention to it if you’re making adjustments on your phone rather than on your hearing aid.”
Helping with hearing loss
In addition, phones can be used as a remote microphone for people with a hearing loss. This feature streams a person’s voice directly into the hearing aids, thereby reducing background noise.
“If you have a hearing loss and are in a crowded, noisy restaurant, let’s say, you could give your phone to someone and he or she could speak into the phone,” Mackey said. “His or her voice would stream into your hearing aid.”
Bring your charger
One important negative to note is that when you stream calls through Bluetooth, it significantly drains the battery of both your phone and your hearing aid.
But the positives certainly outweigh the negatives, Mackey said, and most people with a hearing loss are pleasantly surprised to hear these apps are out there.
“We’re definitely having to tell people that these apps are available,” she said. “I think for the people who are able to use them, they’re enormously helpful.”
The apps are paired to specific hearing aids and come free with the purchase of the hearing aid.
To learn more about hearing aids that are compatible with smartphones, call Barbara Mackey at (859) 301-5744 or Carla Kurtz at (859) 301-5743.
