Smartphones are everywhere. Seemingly everyone has one, and we carry them around with us everywhere we go. And virtually all of today’s hearing aids come equipped with Bluetooth® technology, allowing you to stream music, phone calls, and any other audio directly to your hearing aids.1 You can further personalize your hearing aid listening experience by controlling settings, changing the volume or program, and more—right from your phone.
Even without hearing aids or smartphone-compatible ones, your smartphone can still help you navigate the world easier if you experience hearing loss. These apps are a great starting point.
Hearing aid brand apps
Get more control and features with the tap of a finger. If you have hearing aids, find the manufacturer below to download the right app from either the Apple® App Store® (for iPhone®) or Google Play (for Android®).
- TruHearing®: App Store | Google Play
- Oticon®: App Store | Google Play
- Phonak®: App Store | Google Play
- ReSound®: App Store | Google Play
- Signia®: App Store | Google Play
- Starkey®: App Store | Google Play
- Widex®: App Store | Google Play
Clear Captions
For many people with hearing loss, talking on the phone can be frustrating. The ClearCaptions app2 automatically creates captions for your phone calls, so you can hear and read your conversation at the same time. The captions can appear on your smartphone, tablet, or desktop computer. Learn more about the ClearCaptions mobile app here.
[NOTE: Josh and I talked, and we agreed TruHearing probably didn’t have permission to use the ClearCaptions image we used on the original blog post. We should find a stock image instead; possibly of someone using a smartphone.]
Tunity
Hearing TV dialogue or reading captions can be difficult, especially if there are conversations going on around you or you’re in a crowded place. The Tunity app2 allows you to stream live TV audio to your phone—making it a handy tool at bars, restaurants, airports, hotels, gyms, doctor’s offices, home, and more. Learn more about the Tunity app here.
[NOTE: Josh and I agreed TruHearing probably didn’t have permission to use the Tunity image we used on the original blog post and that we should use a stock image instead. Tunity is intended for muted TVs in public places like sports bars or airports so possibly an image along those lines (you can see their website at the link above for the types of photos they’re using).]
Sound Alert
It’s hard to understand how important sound is to our everyday lives until hearing becomes difficult. Sounds like a ringing phone, doorbell, microwave beeping, smoke alarm, and honking car all let us know what’s going on around us. They may also alert us to danger. You may not feel fully safe if you struggle to hear critical sounds due to hearing loss.
The Sound Alert app2 acts like a second set of ears. The app can make your phone flash or vibrate or send you a smartwatch notification when it detects noises you specify. Learn more about the Sound Alert app here.
[NOTE: Josh and I talked, and we agreed TruHearing probably didn’t have permission to use the Sound Alert image we used on the original blog post. We should find a stock image instead. I’m thinking something along the lines of safety like a fire detector.]
Overall, hearing aids have come a long way in the past few years. They’re smaller and more powerful, with new and constantly evolving technology that helps us connect to the world in ways we couldn’t have dreamed of not too long ago.
Your hearing aids and smartphone make a fantastic duo, making it easier to seamlessly integrate wearing hearing aids into your daily life. Get more tips for using your hearing aids with a smartphone.
1 Depending on your hearing aid and phone model, you may need to purchase a separate Bluetooth phone clip accessory to be able to use these functions. Phone clip accessories may be purchased through your provider.
2 TruHearing is not affiliated with ClearCaptions, Tunity, or Sound Alert.