Bluetooth Hearing Devices: What to Know Before You Buy

Bluetooth is now a standard feature on many hearing aids and some personal amplifiers. But Bluetooth in a hearing device is not the same as Bluetooth in a speaker or headset. This guide explains what it does, what it doesn't, and what to check before spending money on a Bluetooth hearing device.

How Does Bluetooth Work in a Hearing Device?

Bluetooth creates a short-range wireless link between two devices. In a hearing device, it links the hearing aid or amplifier to a paired source such as a smartphone, tablet, or TV streamer.

When audio plays on the paired source, it transmits wirelessly to the hearing device and delivers it directly to the listener's ear. The hearing device's microphone can be active at the same time, so the listener can still hear nearby sounds while streaming audio from the phone or TV.

Pairing is a one-time setup. You bring the hearing device close to the source device, activate pairing mode on both, and the two devices recognise each other. After that, they connect automatically when both are on and within range.

Range varies by device and environment. In open space, reliable range is typically a few metres. Walls, furniture, and body positioning all reduce range. Walking from one room to another while streaming often breaks the connection.

The hearing device must be compatible with the Bluetooth protocol the source device uses. This is where many buyers make mistakes. Compatibility isn't guaranteed just because both devices have Bluetooth. The protocol matters.

What Bluetooth Protocols Are Used in Hearing Devices?

Several Bluetooth protocols exist for hearing devices. Each has different compatibility requirements, range characteristics, and latency performance. Knowing which protocol a device uses is essential before purchasing.

Made for iPhone (MFi)

MFi is Apple's hearing aid standard. MFi-certified devices can stream audio directly from iPhones and iPads without a separate streaming accessory. MFi uses a low-energy protocol designed for hearing aids. It connects directly to iOS devices running iOS 7 or later. MFi does not work with Android devices. If you use an iPhone, an MFi-certified device offers direct, reliable streaming without extra hardware.

ASHA (Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids)

ASHA is Google's hearing aid streaming standard for Android. Google introduced it in Android 10, and many Android devices running Android 10 or later support it. Not all Android phones support ASHA. Support depends on both the Android version and the specific phone hardware. Check the hearing aid manufacturer's compatibility list and your phone model specifically before purchasing.

Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast

Bluetooth LE Audio is a newer standard with lower power consumption and better audio quality than classic Bluetooth. It includes Auracast, which allows a single audio source to broadcast to multiple receivers simultaneously. LE Audio is beginning to appear in newer hearing aids and some public venue audio systems. It is not yet universal across all devices. Check the specific product for LE Audio support.

Classic Bluetooth with a streaming accessory

Some hearing aids use standard Bluetooth but require a separate neck-worn streaming accessory. The phone connects to the accessory via standard Bluetooth. The accessory then relays audio to the hearing aid using a short-range proprietary link. This adds a device to carry and charge but can extend compatibility to a wider range of phones.

What Can You Stream with a Bluetooth Hearing Device?

Bluetooth in a hearing device opens up several practical uses. Not all devices support all of these. Check the product specification before assuming.

• Phone calls: Incoming and outgoing calls stream directly to the hearing device. Many hearing aids include a built-in microphone for hands-free calling. Confirm hands-free call support on the specific model.
• Music and podcasts: Audio from streaming apps on the phone streams directly to the hearing device. Useful for listening to content at a personalised volume without earphones.
• TV audio: Most TV streaming requires a separate TV streamer accessory connected to the TV. The streamer transmits audio to the hearing device. Some newer TVs with built-in Bluetooth can pair directly. Check the product and your TV's Bluetooth capabilities separately.
• Navigation and alerts: Turn-by-turn navigation audio and phone alerts can stream directly. Useful for hands-free awareness without checking a phone screen.
• Video calls: Video call audio from apps like FaceTime or similar streams to the hearing device. Latency can affect voice synchronisation. Confirm low-latency performance on the specific model.

What Is Latency and Why Does It Matter for TV?

Latency is the delay between when audio is sent and when it's received. In a telephone call, a small delay is normal and unnoticed. In TV watching, latency creates a visible problem: the sound arrives after the lip movement on screen.

This is called a lip-sync gap. Even a 50 to 100 millisecond delay can be noticeable. Delays above that are clearly distracting for most viewers.

Standard Bluetooth audio protocols can introduce latency of 100 to 300 milliseconds or more depending on the devices involved. This makes standard Bluetooth poorly suited to TV streaming without compensation from the TV or streamer.

Low-latency protocols that help

Several protocols reduce this delay.

• aptX Low Latency: A codec from Qualcomm that reduces Bluetooth audio latency to approximately 32 to 40 milliseconds on compatible devices. Both the transmitter (TV or streamer) and the receiver (hearing device) must support aptX Low Latency for it to work.
• Bluetooth LE Audio: Designed with lower latency than classic Bluetooth. More suitable for TV and video content than standard Bluetooth.
• Proprietary low-latency streaming: Some hearing aid manufacturers use their own low-latency protocols through a dedicated TV streamer accessory. These often perform well but require the manufacturer's own streamer, not a generic Bluetooth transmitter.

If TV streaming is a priority, check the latency specification on the live product page before purchasing. Don't assume low latency just because it has Bluetooth.

How Do You Check Smartphone Compatibility?

Smartphone compatibility is the most common source of buyer disappointment with Bluetooth hearing devices. Follow these steps before purchasing any Bluetooth hearing device.

Step 1: Identify your phone model and OS version

Know your exact phone model name and number. Know your current iOS or Android version. Go to Settings on your phone and find the software version. Write both down before checking compatibility.

Step 2: Check the hearing device manufacturer's compatibility page

Every reputable hearing device manufacturer publishes a compatibility list. Find the specific model you are considering. Look for your phone model by name and number. Look for your OS version. If your phone isn't on the list, don't assume it will work. Contact the manufacturer's support line and ask directly.

Step 3: Check the app separately

Most Bluetooth hearing aids require a companion app for initial setup, program switching, and volume control. Find the app in your phone's app store before purchasing the device. Check the app's minimum OS requirements. If the app isn't available for your phone or OS version, Bluetooth features will not work, even if core audio streaming does.

Step 4: Confirm the Bluetooth protocol

Confirm which Bluetooth protocol the hearing device uses. If it is MFi only, it does not work with Android. If it is ASHA only, it does not work with iPhone or older Android devices. If it supports both, check your Android version against the ASHA requirement (Android 10 or later on a compatible handset).

How Does Bluetooth Affect Battery Life?

Bluetooth streaming draws more power than standard hearing device operation. The exact impact depends on the device, the protocol, and how much streaming you do.

As a general guide, a hearing device rated for 20 to 30 hours of standard use may deliver 12 to 18 hours with continuous Bluetooth streaming. The gap between standard and streaming battery life varies by device and protocol.

Bluetooth LE Audio is designed to use less power than classic Bluetooth. Devices using LE Audio may show a smaller gap between standard and streaming battery life. Check the product specification for both figures if available.

What this means for rechargeable versus disposable batteries

For regular Bluetooth streaming users, a rechargeable hearing device is generally more practical than a disposable battery device. Charging overnight covers a full day of use, including streaming. Swapping disposable batteries mid-day is inconvenient and adds cost over time.

Confirm the recharge time on the live product page. Some devices offer rapid-charge features that provide several hours of use from a short charge. Confirm both the full charge time and the rapid-charge option, if relevant.

How Does Bluetooth Compare to a Telecoil?

Bluetooth and telecoil are complementary technologies. They serve different primary use cases. The best hearing devices for daily life often include both.

What Streaming Accessories Do Some Devices Require?

Not all Bluetooth hearing devices stream directly from all sources. Some require additional accessories. Knowing this before purchasing prevents unexpected extra costs.

TV streamers

Most TVs cannot stream Bluetooth audio directly in a format that hearing aids and amplifiers receive. A TV streamer is a small device that plugs into the TV's audio output. It transmits audio to the hearing device using the manufacturer's own low-latency wireless protocol. TV streamers are often sold separately from the hearing device. Check the product listing and confirm the total cost, including any required streamer, before committing to a purchase.

Streaming intermediaries for older phones

Some hearing aids use a proprietary neck-worn streaming accessory to bridge compatibility with phones that do not support MFi or ASHA directly. The phone pairs to the streamer via standard Bluetooth. The streamer relays audio to the hearing aid. This adds a device to charge and carry daily.

Remote microphones

Some systems include a remote microphone that a speaker can wear or place on a table. Audio from the remote microphone streams to the hearing device. Useful in group settings or when you're far from the speaker. Check if this is included or available as an add-on for the specific model.

How Does Bluetooth Work in Personal Amplifiers?

Some personal sound amplifiers include Bluetooth. This works like Bluetooth in any consumer audio device: headsets, speakers, or earphones.

A Bluetooth-equipped personal amplifier pairs with a smartphone or other source. Audio from the paired device streams to the amplifier. The listener hears that audio through the amplifier's headphones or earbuds. Some models also allow phone calls through the Bluetooth connection with a built-in microphone.

Personal sound amplifiers are not hearing aids. They are not FDA-regulated medical devices. Bluetooth in a personal amplifier does not make it a medical device. It remains consumer electronics, intended for situational amplification rather than to compensate for hearing loss.

The practical Bluetooth experience in a quality personal amplifier is comparable to a good Bluetooth headset. Pairing, range, streaming quality, and battery impact follow the same general principles as any Bluetooth audio product.

Bellman Amplifiers and Bluetooth

Bellman makes personal sound amplification products. They are not hearing aids. They are not FDA-regulated medical devices.

One Bellman amplifier includes Bluetooth. Two others use a built-in telecoil rather than Bluetooth as their primary wireless feature.

Bellman Maxi Pro Personal Amplifier: Bluetooth with aptX low latency

The Bellman Maxi Pro Personal Amplifier includes Bluetooth 4.2 with aptX low latency. It streams audio from smartphones for calls and audio content. It can amplify phone ringtones and voice. It uses a built-in omnidirectional microphone and adjustable frequency filtering. Battery life is up to approximately 70 hours per charge. A TV Streamer is available separately as the Bellman TV Streamer, which enables low-latency TV audio streaming to the Maxi Pro.

The Maxi Pro is a personal sound amplification product. It is not a hearing aid and is not intended to treat, correct, or diagnose any medical condition.

Bellman Mino and Maxi Classic: telecoil rather than Bluetooth

The Bellman Mino Personal Amplifier and the Bellman Maxi Classic Personal Amplifier do not use Bluetooth. Their primary wireless feature is a built-in Telecoil for hearing loop access in public venues. They are simpler to use: no pairing, no app, no compatibility check required. The Mino is rechargeable. The Maxi Classic runs on AA batteries. Both include headphones and earbuds.

Both are personal sound amplification products. They are not hearing aids and are not intended to treat, correct, or diagnose any medical condition.

Pre-Purchase Bluetooth Checklist

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Written by

The Bellman Team

The Bellman editorial team produces content grounded in verified primary sources and decades of experience designing listening and alerting solutions for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Our work draws on primary reading of FDA regulatory documents, Bluetooth SIG technical specifications, NIDCD resources, and HLAA materials. We do not present secondary interpretations as fact where primary sources are available.

Sources used in this article:

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration - Hearing Aids - fda.gov/medical-devices/consumer-products/hearing-aids
• Bluetooth SIG - Bluetooth Low Energy Audio - bluetooth.com/learn-about-bluetooth/feature-enhancements/le-audio
• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) - Hearing Aids - nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing-aids
• Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) - Telecoil and Hearing Loop Resources - hearingloss.org/hearing-help/technology/hearing-loop
• 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design -- Section 706.3 - ada.gov/law-and-regs/design-standards/2010-stds

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a licensed audiologist for guidance on your specific hearing needs and device options.