How Modern Hearing Aids Integrate with Your Daily Tech

November 25, 2024

Modern hearing aids offer far more than improved hearing - they seamlessly connect with smartphones, TVs, and other digital devices to create an integrated listening experience. These advancements make hearing aids an essential part of our connected world, combining exceptional sound quality with smart technology.

From Basic Amplification to Smart Devices

Today's hearing aids function as sophisticated wearable technology. The latest models from leading manufacturers connect directly to smartphones, stream audio, and offer personalized control through dedicated apps. This connectivity transforms how people interact with their hearing devices and environment, making them more versatile than ever before.

Universal Bluetooth Connectivity

Recent hearing aids feature universal Bluetooth connectivity for both iOS and Android devices. The Phonak Infinio utilizes Bluetooth 5.3 technology, allowing direct connections to smartphones and other devices. Users can connect to multiple devices simultaneously - for example, staying connected to both a smartphone and tablet. The Infinio can maintain up to eight paired devices, making it simple to switch between different audio sources.

The Oticon Intent introduces user-intent sensors that adapt to listening preferences in real-time, while maintaining stable Bluetooth connections. Its 4D Sensor technology seamlessly adjusts hearing aid support based on the user's listening needs, creating a more natural hearing experience.

The Signia IX offers ready-for-future Bluetooth LE Audio compatibility, ensuring long-term connectivity options. Its Integrated Xperience technology excels at tracking and enhancing voices during group conversations, particularly valuable during video calls or family gatherings.

Audio Streaming Capabilities

Direct streaming capabilities let you:

  • Take hands-free phone calls through both hearing aids
  • Listen to music, podcasts, and audiobooks in stereo sound
  • Receive GPS navigation instructions clearly and directly
  • Watch videos with audio streamed directly to your hearing aids
  • Connect to virtual assistants like Siri for hands-free commands

The Widex Moment Sheer provides improved 2.4 GHz Bluetooth connectivity for streaming from compatible devices. This means clear, direct audio without lag or interference, creating a more natural listening experience.

Smartphone Apps and Remote Control

Each manufacturer offers dedicated apps for controlling hearing aid settings, providing unprecedented personalization options:

The myPhonak app enables:

  • Remote volume and program adjustments
  • Creation of personalized hearing preferences
  • Tracking of wearing time and activity levels
  • Remote support from audiologists
  • Health monitoring features
  • Sound personalization for different environments

The Widex Moment app features MySound 2.0, which uses artificial intelligence to optimize sound settings based on your preferences and environment. The app provides two customization options:

  • "Made For You" - AI-generated sound profiles based on thousands of user preferences
  • "Create Your Own" - Guided personalization through simple sound comparisons

The Signia app offers similar capabilities while adding special features for the IX model's RealTime Conversation Enhancement technology.

TV and Media Streaming

Watch television with audio streaming directly to your hearing aids using accessories like the TV Connector. These connections eliminate audio lag and provide optimal sound quality for an enhanced viewing experience. The Phonak Infinio supports multiple TV connectors, allowing seamless switching between different rooms or locations.

Multiple users with compatible hearing aids can connect to the same TV connector, making shared viewing experiences more enjoyable for everyone.

Workplace Integration

Today's hearing aids seamlessly connect with workplace technology, making professional communication easier than ever. You can join video conferences with crystal-clear audio streaming directly to your hearing aids. When using computer-based phone systems, audio routes straight to your devices, letting you switch effortlessly between calls and computer sound. During virtual meetings, advanced features reduce background noise so you can focus on speakers' voices. The directional microphones in modern hearing aids help you better understand speech in busy office settings with multiple conversations happening around you.

The new Oticon Intent hearing aids showcase this workplace adaptability through MoreSound Intelligence 3.0, which automatically adjusts to different listening environments throughout your workday for optimal speech understanding.

Protection and Durability

Modern hearing aids meet rigorous IP68 standards for water and dust resistance, making them highly durable for daily wear. These devices can withstand submersion in one meter of water for up to 60 minutes and exposure to dust for 8 hours. This robust protection means you can confidently wear your hearing aids during exercise, in light rain, or while following regular cleaning routines without worry about moisture or debris damage.

Artificial Intelligence and Automatic Adjustments

Advanced AI systems in modern hearing aids optimize sound processing and connectivity:

Phonak Infinio's AutoSense OS 6.0:

  • Automatically adjusts settings based on environment
  • Processes sound in real-time using machine learning
  • Improves speech clarity in noise
  • Makes automatic adjustments across 20 fine-tuning channels
  • Provides seamless transitions between different listening environments

Oticon Intent's Deep Neural Network 2.0:

  • Enhances sound quality based on millions of real-world sound samples
  • Provides better noise suppression through advanced processing
  • Adapts to specific listening situations automatically
  • Uses spatial sound technology to improve speech understanding
  • Includes wind and handling noise stabilization

The Human Touch in Technology

While these connectivity features offer significant benefits, professional fitting and ongoing support remain essential. Our audiologists ensure your hearing aids are programmed to match your specific needs and lifestyle. We perform comprehensive testing and Real Ear Measurements to verify proper function and fit, guaranteeing you get the most from your hearing technology.

Our team stays current with the latest developments in hearing aid connectivity, allowing us to help you maximize the benefits of these advanced features. We provide ongoing support and adjustments, ensuring your hearing aids continue to meet your changing needs.

Schedule Your In-Home Consultation

Experience these advanced connectivity features yourself with an in-home consultation from one of our experienced audiologists. We'll demonstrate how modern hearing aids can integrate with your daily technology use and help you choose the best solution for your lifestyle. Our mobile audiology service brings expert care directly to your home across New York, New Jersey, and parts of Pennsylvania.

To learn more about these cutting-edge hearing solutions or to schedule your in-home consultation, call our friendly team today. Let us help you discover how modern hearing technology can enhance your daily life.

Written by
Reviewed by
Dr. Emma Durazzo
Owner & Doctor of Audiology
Read full bio

With years of experience and continued professional training, Emma Durazzo (formerly Emma McCue) has developed her expertise in a variety of subspecialties within the scope of audiology.