How do I stream to hearing aids on Android?
Streaming audio from Android devices to hearing aids is a useful accessibility feature that allows people with hearing impairments to connect their hearing aids and stream music, phone calls, podcasts, and other media directly to their hearing aids. This enables them to hear audio clearly and seamlessly without background noise or interference. With the right pairing and settings, Android users can enjoy enhanced audio through their hearing aids for both media streaming and phone calls.
In this guide, we’ll provide an overview of how to pair hearing aids with Android devices, install any required streaming apps, connect hearing aids through Bluetooth, adjust key audio settings, troubleshoot any connectivity issues, understand battery and data usage implications, and optimize the overall streaming experience.
Pairing Hearing Aids with Android
To pair hearing aids with an Android device, first make sure Bluetooth is turned on for both your phone and your hearing aids. On your phone, open the Settings app and ensure Bluetooth is enabled. For your hearing aids, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions to put them into pairing mode (this usually involves pressing and holding a button for a few seconds). The hearing aids will indicate they are in pairing mode through an audio cue like a beep or tone.
Once Bluetooth is on for both devices, go to the Bluetooth settings on your Android phone again. Your hearing aids should show up in the list of available devices. Tap on your hearing aids to initiate pairing. Your phone will send a pairing request to the hearing aids which you can confirm. After confirming, your Android device and hearing aids will be paired and connected for streaming audio.[1]
Installing Audio Streaming Apps
To stream audio from an Android device to hearing aids, you’ll need to install an app that enables this functionality. Some popular audio streaming apps to consider include:
AudioStreamer – This app allows you to wirelessly stream audio from various sources on your Android device to Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids. You can stream music, videos, phone calls, navigation directions and more.
hearID (made by hear.com) – This app streams audio and enhances it with customized sound settings optimized for your individual hearing profile. It can connect to various brands of hearing aids.
Some hearing aid manufacturers also offer their own audio streaming apps, like Phonak, Oticon, and Signia. Check with your hearing aid’s manufacturer to see if they offer an app.
These streaming apps allow you to remotely control the volume and settings of your hearing aids right from your Android device. They provide a more seamless listening experience. Look for apps that work with your specific hearing aid models.
Connecting Hearing Aids
To connect your hearing aids to an Android device, first ensure your hearing aids are powered on and in pairing mode. Open the Settings app and select Bluetooth. Turn on Bluetooth if it is not already enabled. Your hearing aids should be visible in the list of available devices. Select your hearing aids to pair them to your Android device.
You can also connect hearing aids using a dedicated hearing aid app like Thrive or myPhonak. Open the app and follow the on-screen instructions to search for and select your hearing aids to connect. The app will guide you through the pairing process.
Once connected, you should see your hearing aids in the list of paired Bluetooth devices. You can now stream audio from your Android device directly to your hearing aids.
Adjusting Audio Settings
Once your hearing aids are paired and connected to your Android device, you can adjust various audio settings to optimize the listening experience. This includes adjusting the volume, left/right balance, microphone directionality, and enabling any special listening modes.
To adjust the volume, simply use your Android device’s volume buttons while a media audio source is playing. This will increase or decrease the volume sent to your hearing aids. You can also adjust volume in the accessibility settings or in any hearing aid manufacturer apps if installed. The left/right balance can be adjusted in the accessibility settings under Audio Balance (https://support.google.com/accessibility/android/answer/9426888?hl=en).
Additional settings like directional microphones and noise cancellation can be configured within your hearing aid manufacturer’s app. For example, Starkey’s Thrive app allows you to switch between omnidirectional and directional microphone modes. Enabling directional mode can help filter out background noise.
It’s worth experimenting with these settings to find the optimal listening experience for your situation. Just be sure to turn the volume down before making any major adjustments to avoid discomfort.
Streaming Music and Media
One of the main benefits of connecting your Android device to hearing aids is the ability to stream audio directly for an enhanced listening experience. With the proper setup, you can stream music, videos, audiobooks, podcasts, and other media from apps on your Android device to your hearing aids.
To stream music, simply open your preferred music app such as Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music etc., and start playing a song or playlist. The audio should automatically be routed from your Android device to your hearing aids via Bluetooth. Make sure to adjust the volume on both your phone and hearing aids for your ideal listening level.
You can also stream any video or audio content by opening apps like YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, and pressing play. The sound will be transmitted to your ears seamlessly. For the best experience, use over-ear headphones for amplified volume, and your hearing aids will pick up the headphone audio.
Phone calls made on your Android device can likewise be directly streamed to your hearing aids. When making or receiving a phone call, the call audio will be transmitted to your ears right away. This allows you to clearly hear the caller without having to hold your phone to your ear.
Overall, streaming capabilities allow you to fully enjoy music, videos, audiobooks, and phone calls effortlessly. Just make sure to adjust audio and volume settings both on your Android device and hearing aids for optimized listening.
Troubleshooting Connectivity Issues
Hearing aids sometimes lose their Bluetooth connection to your Android device. This can prevent you from streaming audio and receiving calls through your hearing aids. There are a few troubleshooting steps you can take to restore connectivity:
First, try re-pairing your hearing aids to your Android device through the Bluetooth settings. Go to Settings > Connected Devices > Bluetooth and select “Pair new device.” Put your hearing aids into pairing mode and select them when they show up as available devices. Completing the pairing process again can often resolve temporary connectivity problems.
You’ll also want to check that the Bluetooth setting is enabled on your Android device. Go to Settings > Connected Devices > Bluetooth and make sure the switch is turned on. Bluetooth needs to be actively powered on in order to maintain a connection.
If your hearing aids are connected but you still can’t hear audio, try adjusting the volume levels in your streaming app, on your Android device, and directly on your hearing aids. Boosting the volume may enable streaming if the audio signal was simply too low.
As a last resort, you may need to clear the pairing record and reset your hearing aids. Refer to your manufacturer’s guide for model-specific reset instructions. After resetting, you’ll have to pair your hearing aids to your Android device again from scratch.
Troubleshooting your hearing aid Bluetooth connectivity takes some trial and error. But these basic steps can often get audio streaming working again without needing to visit your audiologist.
Background Streaming Options
One convenient feature of streaming audio to hearing aids on Android is the ability to enable background audio. This allows the audio to continue playing even when you switch apps or turn off your phone’s screen (https://www.android.com/accessibility/audio/). With background audio enabled, you can listen to music or take a phone call without interruptions while using other apps.
To enable background audio streaming on Android 10 and higher, first confirm that the hearing aid manufacturer’s app supports it. Open the app’s settings to look for a “Background audio” option. Toggle this on to allow streaming to continue after switching apps or locking your screen. The audio will pause if you fully close the app.
Enabling background audio does use more battery power, as the aid’s Bluetooth connection remains active. It also increases mobile data usage if streaming music or media from the internet. However, the convenience of uninterrupted streaming is often worth the tradeoff. Just be aware of increased battery and data consumption.
With background audio enabled in the hearing aid app’s settings, you can seamlessly stream audio on your Android device without disruptions as you multitask. Just be sure to disable it again when not needed to conserve battery life.
Battery and Data Usage
Streaming audio from your Android device to hearing aids can impact battery life and data usage. Here are some tips to optimize for battery life and limit data consumption:
Enable airplane mode on your Android device when not streaming audio. This will prevent apps and system processes from using data unnecessarily. Only turn on Bluetooth when you want to connect your hearing aids.
Close any apps that could be using data in the background. Streaming apps like Spotify can continue to run and use data even when you aren’t actively listening.
Download playlists for offline listening when on WiFi. Streaming music over cellular data consumes your monthly allotment faster.
Use a lower audio quality setting in your streaming apps. Higher quality audio uses more data to transmit.
Disable any equalizer or audio processing effects in streaming apps. These use additional processing power and battery.
Lower the volume on your Android device and use your hearing aids’ volume controls instead. Playing audio loudly drains the battery faster.
Mute audio during pauses or interruptions in listening. Some apps can detect this automatically.
Consider getting a portable battery pack for your phone if streaming heavily drains the battery.
Check your data usage in Android’s Settings to monitor streaming consumption. Set data limits and get usage warnings if needed.
Conclusion
Streaming audio from your Android device to hearing aids can be a great way to listen to music, podcasts, and other media. With a few key steps, you can successfully pair your Android device, install compatible apps, adjust settings, and start streaming audio seamlessly.
The main things to remember are: make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your device, pair your hearing aids in your Bluetooth settings, install an app like Audio Router to handle streaming, connect and sync your hearing aids within the app, and adjust audio and accessibility settings as needed. Test playback with different types of media to ensure proper functioning.
With some initial setup and testing, streaming audio to hearing aids can become second nature. Take the time to find the optimal settings and streaming method for your personal listening experience. As Bluetooth technology and hearing aid compatibility continue to advance, streaming should only get easier going forward.