Almost all of today’s hearing aids have Bluetooth capabilities. Whether you connect to a cell phone or not is completely up to you! Hearing aids will function just fine without being connected to a cell phone. Let’s visit the pros and cons to connecting.
PROS
- You can use your phone as a remote control to adjust your hearing aids. Most hearing aids have buttons on the case that you can use to adjust your hearing aids if you choose not to connect.
- Some cell phones will stream phone calls directly through the hearing aids, allowing for easier understanding on the phone and hands-free conversations. Not every phone is compatible with every hearing aid. If this is something you are interested in, be sure to bring your phone in when selecting your hearing aids to verify compatibility.
- Hands-free listening to audiobooks, Podcasts, and music. Again, verify the streaming compatibility at your consult.
- Some hearing aids (Starkey, specifically) have fall detection in them. If you fall, it will send a message from your cell phone to whomever you have designated to be contacted.
- Find My Hearing Aid. Through the app on the phone, some hearing aids have a Find My Hearing Aid feature to help you locate a lost hearing aid.
- Bluetooth hearing aids do NOT cost extra.
CONS
- Higher battery drain the more you connect to your hearing aids.
- Limitations of Bluetooth. Bluetooth is great when it works and is frustrating when it doesn’t. It can cut in and out and be wishy washy. It is always improving and is better than it used to be!
- No one else can hear what or who you are listening to unless you remember to change to speakerphone from your hearing aids.
- For some who are overwhelmed by technology, connecting hearing aids only adds to this feeling.
No matter whether you choose to connect your hearing aids to your cell phone or not, you should still be very successful with the newer hearing aid technology that is available today! Call Gardner Audiology today to schedule an appointment at one of our locations. Call 800-277-1182, email info@gardneraudiology.com, or visit www.gardneraudiology.com to schedule an appointment online.
