Hands-Free Cell Phones Connect to Hearing Aids in Waterloo, IA

September 10, 2018

People who have worn hearing aids during the technological revolution of the last 20 years have probably experienced some form of frustration when it comes to today’s staple technology: cell phones. Because of the technology that both cell phones and hearing aids use to transmit signals and noise, hearing aid users may have heard buzzing sounds due to radio frequency interference. These sounds may make it difficult to use the phone, or even impossible if the sound is loud and frustrating enough.

Recent mandates from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have required cell phone companies to create phones that are compatible for hearing aid users. These cell phones will have ratings on them to help you determine whether or not they will create interference sounds. However, not all cell phones have great ratings, leaving you with fewer options.

Fortunately, new technology is coming out every day, and this impacts hearing aids in Waterloo, IA. One of the newest forms of tech to benefit the hearing aid industry is Bluetooth capability, which allows cell phones to connect to hearing aids directly. If you’re looking to upgrade your hearing aids soon, consider choosing a newer model that provides you with additional connectivity options like hands-free cellular usage.

How Bluetooth connects to hearing aids

Bluetooth is a wireless connection between two devices to transmit data using radio waves. Today, most mobile phones, along with other devices such as tablets, computers and televisions, are Bluetooth-enabled. Bluetooth works in the same way across all devices, meaning all Bluetooth-enabled accessories work with each other.

Some manufacturers have created technology that allows certain hearing aids to connect directly with some Bluetooth-enabled devices. For example, there are hearing aids on the market that are able to connect directly to all Apple products running their operating system, such as an iPhone or MacBook. Not all hearing aids have this feature, but more and more manufacturers and finding ways to make these connections.

If your hearing aids aren’t able to connect directly to your devices, there are also assistive listening devices called streamers available that help connect the two types of devices. Streamers are usually worn around the neck or placed in a pocket, and utilize an FM signal or electromagnetic signal to push the Bluetooth signal from your phone to your hearing aid.

Using these types of devices or connective hearing aids allows you to have hands-free communication on your cell phone without the trouble of finding a hearing aid-compatible phone or dealing with frustrating interference. The audio from your phone can be sent directly to your hearing aids, letting you hear the audio clearly without struggling with a cell phone during a phone call.

Who are these devices suitable for?

Not everyone will want or need wireless Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids in Waterloo, IA, but the technology can greatly impact certain users.

If you have a lot of trouble hearing audio properly while on the phone, you may want to look into Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids. The audio you hear will be clearer and louder so you can understand everything.

These devices are also great for people who drive a lot or have a health problem in which they struggle to hold a phone to their ear for a long time. With Bluetooth technology, you can have a phone call hands-free, with the audio transmitted directly to your ears and your voice being picked up on the nearby phone speaker, as if you were talking on speakerphone.

Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids come with other benefits, too. They’re not just for phones, but can also work to stream audio for listening to music, watching TV and more. This can give you more freedom to enjoy clear audio without bothering with headphones.

Ask the hearing aid specialists at Potter’s Hearing Aid Service about Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids in Waterloo, IA. With more than 31 years in the hearing aid industry and a wide range of hearing aid styles from top brands, we’re sure to find the perfect hearing aids for you with the features you desire. You can also visit us for free hearing tests and consultations and hearing aid fittings, repairs and cleaning.