Best Bluetooth Hearing Aids of 2024 for Android and iOS

Bluetooth hearing aids have opened up a new world of audio for people with hearing loss. Previously, hearing aids only helped you hear everyday conversations—now they double as advanced wearables and communication devices capable of streaming audio, placing phone calls, and even using digital assistants like Siri or controlling your smart home.

With Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids, it’s now possible to make phone calls without putting your phone to your ear—and if you wear two hearing aids, you can hear the conversation in both ears. You can also stream multimedia audio from your phone, including video chats and popular apps like Spotify and Netflix.

And there are countless other possible applications—from doorbell alerts and remote microphone accessories to a newly developed type of Bluetooth technology that will soon broadcast audio into your devices in places like lecture halls and airports.

"Made-For-iPhone" (MFi) hearing aids

"Made-for-iPhone" (MFi) hearing aids were first introduced in 2015 by GN ReSound and launched an entirely new era of connectivity. MFi hearing aids allow you to stream audio directly from your iPhone and iPad—no wireless streamer required. All major manufacturers now sell at least some MFi-compatible hearing aids.

Historically, one drawback of the MFi protocol is that it did not allow for two-way communication. That is, the connected device could stream to your hearing aids but the hearing aids could not send data back to the device. It was a one-way street. For hearing aid wearers, this meant no hands-free calling as the hearing aid microphones couldn’t pick up the sound of your voice and transmit back to the phone.

However, with the recent release of Bluetooth version 5.2, two-way communication is now available within the MFi protocol. Keep in mind though, that not all hearing aid manufacturers have incorporated Bluetooth 5.2, so hands-free calling isn’t an option for every MFi hearing aid.

And some good news for Mac computer users: in May 2023, Apple announced that MFi hearing aids will soon be able to pair directly with “select Mac devices” that use the M1 chip and all devices that use the M2 chip. Previously, iPhones, iPod Touch, and iPad tablets were the only devices that could pair directly with MFi hearing aids without workarounds or accessories.

In the video below, our audiologist Matthew Allsop explains how you can take advantage of this new capability. He also explains how to disconnect your hearing aids from an Apple computer in a separate video.

Using hearing aids with your Apple Watch

If you have an Apple Watch, you can likely control some hearing aid features (e.g., volume) from it. Depending on the brand and model, you may even be able to use your hearing aid app and/or enjoy direct streaming of phone calls, music, podcasts, and videos (see video below). However, judging from hearing aid user comments on the HearingTracker Hearing Aid Forum, some hearing aids don't play well in the sandbox with Apple Watches, so you may want to do your own research if this is a major feature you wish to use. We plan to devote a dedicated page to this issue in the near future.

Android compatible hearing aids

In 2018, Google finally announced a new Android streaming spec for hearing aids—Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids (ASHA). The announcement from Google signaled their intention to pair hearing aids with the much larger universe of Android phones.

Flash forward to 2024, and we now have all major hearing aid manufacturers— Phonak, Starkey, Oticon, Signia, ReSound, and Widex—with Android-compatible hearing aids on the market.

One caveat to ASHA-based Android compatibility: for most hearing aids, it won’t be a truly hands-free experience. You’ll still need to talk into the phone for the caller to hear your voice. In these cases, to achieve hands-free calling with Android you’ll either need to purchase a Bluetooth streamer or pursue hearing aids that use the Bluetooth Classic Hands-Free Protocol (HFP), like Phonak Lumity.

While Made-for-iPhone is supported by all iOS devices (from recent years), Android ASHA is only supported on select Android phones. In general, any phone with Bluetooth 5.0+ and Android 10 (or higher) is capable of providing wireless streaming via ASHA. However, ASHA must be enabled by each phone manufacturer and service carrier, so it pays to check with your carrier about whether your specific Android model can support ASHA connectivity (see our article about how Samsung, Google Pixel, and OnePlus offer the best support). Most ASHA compatible aids also support MFi.

Universal Bluetooth streaming

Only Sonova, the world’s largest hearing aid manufacturer, offers true, hands-free universal Bluetooth connectivity. In addition to iPhone and Android connectivity, Phonak and Unitron (owned by Sonova), offer models that provide wireless audio streaming from any Bluetooth-audio device. This is accomplished via Bluetooth Classic’s A2DP and HFP protocols for audio streaming and hands-free calling, respectively.

Sonova calls their technology “Made For All” or MFA, a tongue in cheek nod to Apple’s “Made For iPhone.” Phonak Lumity, Paradise, and Unitron Vivante and Blu are the latest Sonova products to offer MFA technology, and models from both product families support two simultaneous Bluetooth connections. Costco's now-discontinued Kirkland Signature 10.0 hearing aid, also manufactured by Sonova, offered universal Bluetooth as well.

Bluetooth LE Audio

Bluetooth Low-Energy (LE) has been used for years in hearing aids, but in 2022 the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) announced the completion of its long-awaited Bluetooth 5.2 standard—a new version of Bluetooth that optimizes energy efficiency and elevates sound quality across all devices using it.

Importantly, Auracast is included in this new standard. Auracast enables transmitters to broadcast a Bluetooth audio signal to an unlimited number of people using their in-range compatible devices, such as headphones, earbuds and hearables, hearing aids, and cochlear implants. Because the audio is being transmitted directly from the transmitter to your audio device, you hear it in real-time, with very low latency. And because Bluetooth LE is so important, we've included a special section about it and Auracast at the bottom of this page.

Shopping for Bluetooth hearing aids

Shopping for a Bluetooth hearing aid can be confusing. Bluetooth- and smartphone-compatible hearing instruments come in dozens of different flavors. So knowing the basics about MFi, ASHA, Sonova’s MFA, and LE Audio can help.

Because connectivity is a sought-after feature in hearing aids, this technology is improving very quickly. The bottom line is you should talk with your hearing provider about the wireless connectivity features that are important to you prior to purchasing any devices.

And a word of caution! Some hearing aid manufacturers promote “Bluetooth compatibility,” but they require an intermediate streamer to receive and retransmit Bluetooth audio to their hearing aids from all Bluetooth devices. We talk about these streamers below.

The latest hearing aid streamers make Bluetooth easy

If your hearing aids don’t connect natively to your smartphone (or other Bluetooth audio device), you’ll likely need a “streamer” from the same manufacturer that produced your hearing aids. Streamers are typically purchased as an add-on accessory to hearing aids, but the good news is that today's Bluetooth streamers provide a relatively painless workaround to achieving universal Bluetooth connectivity with your hearing aids.

A streamer either hangs from your neck or clips to your clothing, and receives audio from Bluetooth-enabled phones, MP3 music players, computers, tablets and other electronic devices. Once the streamer has picked up the sound from your favorite Bluetooth-enabled audio device, it re-transmits the audio to the hearing aids, typically via a proprietary 2.4GHz radio signal.

Hearing aid makers have started delivering Bluetooth streaming accessories that are smaller, more feature-rich, and easier to use. They provide wireless communication with all Bluetooth-enabled devices. And their associated apps work well with both iPhones and Android smartphones.

Phonak Bluetooth hearing aids

Phonak's Audéo Marvel established the gold standard in Bluetooth hearing aid connectivity. Introduced in November 2019, Marvel was the first to stream music and other audio—in stereo—directly to and from any Bluetooth-enabled device. In 2020, Phonak introduced Paradise, which added the ability to pair up to 8 Bluetooth devices simultaneously, two of which can be active at any one time.

In August 2024, Phonak launched its fourth generation of Bluetooth-compatible hearing aids with the new Audéo Infinio, which delivers the same universal Bluetooth connectivity with groundbreaking AI-driven speech separation from noise in the Audéo Sphere Infinio RIC. Bluetooth is also available in the Audéo Infinio R and CROS Infinio RICs, and a full range of Virto rechargeable in-the-ear (ITE) models. The Infinio line is also Auracast-ready. Along with the Audéo Lumity, these remain some of the most versatile Bluetooth streaming aids, offering two active Bluetooth connections and pairing capabilities for up to 8 different devices of your choosing.

In April 2023, Phonak added the Slim Lumity Bluetooth aid to its line. This aid features a sleek and unique design to meet modern hearing aid wearers' style and comfort needs.

Infinio, like its predecessors Lumity, Marvel, and Paradise, also features Tap Control (in 90 and 70 technology tiers), allowing you to accept/end a phone call, pause/resume streaming, and access voice assistants such as Apple’s Siri^®.

Phonak has an array of wireless accessories, including streamers, remote microphones, and a TV audio transmitter. We also recommend reading up on Roger, Phonak’s suite of wireless remote microphones for those who need extra help hearing in background noise.

Unitron Bluetooth hearing aids

Unitron, a sister company of Phonak in the Sonova group, offers universal Bluetooth connectivity in a number of product families, including the newly released Vivante, Blu, Discover Next, and Tempus. The company’s Moxi Blu runs on the Sonova PRISM (Processing Real-Time Intelligent Sound Management) chip and uses Unitron’s Integra OS signal processing system. Like Phonak Lumity and Paradise, it offers two active Bluetooth connections with pairing up to 8 different devices and includes the same tap controls. In April 2023, Unitron launched its Moxi Vivante V-R and VR-T rechargeable RIC models that also have these Bluetooth capabilities for Apple and Android.

Costco Bluetooth hearing aids

Costco, the big box retailer, has hearing centers that offer hearing tests, professional services, and affordable prices, with current prices starting at $1,599 a pair.

Costco doesn't manufacture its own hearing aids but resells products and technology from top manufacturers. Costco sells Jabra, Philips, and Rexton brand hearing aids, with models from each brand offering Bluetooth connectivity for smartphone control apps and audio streaming for Android phones and iPhones. Costco also offers a range of Bluetooth-connected accessories for each of the brands, including remote control devices, TV audio streamers, and remote microphones.

In April 2023, Costco started selling its first over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid, Lexie B2 Powered by Bose, which is covered in the OTC hearing aid section below.

ReSound Bluetooth hearing aids

GN ReSound was the first brand to introduce Made-for-iPhone hearing aids and more recently ReSound has been a pioneer on direct Android streaming. They now offer a number of Apple and Android compatible hearing aids including Nexia, OMNIA, One, Key, LiNX Quattro, and ENZO Q. Streaming from Android is accomplished using the Audio Streaming for Hearing Aid (ASHA) protocol. And, in keeping with ReSound's reputation for "firsts" in Bluetooth technology, Nexia is the first hearing aid to employ Auracast broadcast technology (discussed in more detail below).

For other Bluetooth devices, ReSound also offers a variety of accessories that connect its hearing aids with high-quality audio. The ReSound Phone Clip+ streams calls or audio from your Bluetooth-enabled phone. ReSound Mics can be placed on a podium, on a speaker's lapel, or on a conference table to pick up voices and stream them to your hearing aids.

And the ReSound Bluetooth TV streamer attached to the back of your TV delivers audio directly to your hearing aids. TV-Steamer+, launched with Nexia and Auracast-ready, uses Auracast to give you immediate speech clarity at preferred TV volumes through your hearing aids without disturbing anyone else in the room. Additionally, the ReSound Remote Control 2 makes it easy to adjust the volume, change programs, or switch between streaming accessories.

Oticon Bluetooth hearing aids

Oticon Intent is the latest flagship hearing aid family launched in February 2024 by Danish hearing aid giant Oticon that uses the new Sirius chip platform. Intent builds upon the advanced features of its predecessor Oticon Real, such as Bluetooth audio streaming, access to Oticon's deep neural network (DNN) technology, and water resistance.

However, Intent takes it a step further by introducing DNN 2.0, which enhances speech clarity in noisy environments by learning from an even more diverse range of sound inputs. The hearing aid also features groundbreaking 4D Sensor technology, allowing it to adapt its settings based on the wearer's head and body movements, conversational activity, and acoustic environment. This promises to enhance speech comprehension by 15% in dynamic settings like restaurants. Like Real, Oticon Intent is compatible with both Apple and Android ASHA for wireless streaming, offers hands-free calling for iPhones, and is now future-proof with LE Audio and Auracast technology.

For those who need to connect to other Bluetooth devices or need hands-free calling for Android devices, Oticon's ConnectLine and Streamer Pro deliver a solution. These connect to most TVs and other audio devices using standard cables. With the TV Adapter, stereo sound can stream directly into your hearing aids from a range of up to 45 feet. The Oticon ON app is designed to make it easy to manage Bluetooth connections.

Starkey Bluetooth hearing aids

Starkey Hearing Technologies was the second brand to introduce a Made-for-iPhone (MFi) hearing. The U.S. manufacturer quickly expanded its line of Bluetooth-compatible hearing aids which include both iOS and Android compatibility. Introduced in February 2023, its Genesis AI offers iOS- and Android-compatible audio streaming, hands-free calling for iOS, and wireless control with the My Starkey app (except for the IIC and CIC models), as well as hands-free 2-way audio for compatible iOS devices when using FaceTime, Zoom, Teams, etc. Using a new antenna, the hearing aids have improved their wireless range by up to 40%. The new My Starkey app puts you in control of the hearing aid as well as the "healthable" features found in both Genesis AI and its predecessor, Starkey Evolv AI.

Evolve AI, introduced in August 2021, essentially offers all the Bluetooth capabilities and "healthable" features as Genesis AI, but uses the older Thrive app and lacks the newer and more powerful chip and sound processing capabilities.

As a leader in custom in-ear devices, Starkey offers the truly unique and tiny Starkey Evolv AI Completely-in-Canal (CIC) hearing aid which is the only full-featured CIC with audio streaming (for details see this YouTube video from Matthew Allsop). Other Starkey Bluetooth-compatible hearing aids include Livio Edge AI.

Starkey's streaming accessories provide Bluetooth connections for its legacy products or when needed for non-compatible devices. The Starkey SurfLink streaming accessories provide hands-free phone calls from iPhones and Android smartphones, and audio streaming from multiple Bluetooth sources. They also feature remote microphones. And the Starkey TV accessory supports analog and digital input sources to stream audio from your TV or other audio source directly to Genesis, Evolv and Livio hearing aids.

Widex Bluetooth hearing aids

Widex MOMENT Made-for-iPhone hearing aids offer wireless connectivity with both iOS and Anroid devices. Widex says its signal processing chip set features independent channel separation with minimal-delay filters to offer clean sound even while streaming. The Widex MOMENT app lets you set up and manage your Bluetooth connections.

Widex offers connectivity for non-smartphone Bluetooth devices via its range of streaming accessories. The COM-DEX streamer hangs from the neck and streams high-quality sound from any Bluetooth device to your hearing aid. It offers up to 8 hours of streaming time and comes with an optional remote mic. Other accessories for the phone, TV, and other Bluetooth devices include SoundAssist, FM+DEX, TV PLAY, and TV-DEX. The COM-DEX iPhone and Android smartphone app helps manage the Bluetooth connections.

The company's latest product, the Moment Sheer (sRIC R D) was introduced in September 2022 with a new housing design that is intended to by discreet and modern.

Signia Bluetooth hearing aids

Signia Pure Charge&Go IX  and Signia Pure Charge&Go AX hearing aids offer both iOS and Android direct wireless connectivity with compatible devices. Additionally, Signia has made its Integrated Xperience (IX) product line "Auracast-ready,” meaning they are capable of receiving Auracast broadcasts with just a firmware update from the company (see Auracast section below). The in-ear Insio Charge&Go AX ITEs offer direct audio streaming from iOS devices with the MFi hearing aid standard, as well as certain Android devices using the ASHA standard. Signia Insio AX and Pure AX hearing aids offer hands-free calling on iPhones but not Android (although you can use an accessory to gain this function).

First introduced in 2018, Signia’s Styletto was the world’s first SLIM-RIC hearing aid featuring a slim and stylish design that makes it look more like a high-tech communication device than a hearing aid. The new version of this, Styletto AX, is a full-featured device in Signia's Augmented Xperience (AX) platform and allows you to connect to Android or iOS (Apple) devices for streaming phone calls, music, and TV audio to your hearing aids. It also includes the "healthable" My WellBeing (i.e., step counting and activity tracker) and CallControl for general wellness and better functionality in various aspects of life.

The older Xperience (X) platform also offers direct connectivity but only with compatible iOS devices. These and other Signia hearing aids stream wireless audio from Android phones and other Bluetooth devices, including TVs, via Signia's StreamLine Mic and StreamLine TV accessories. A StreamLine Mic is also required if you want to connect your hearing aids directly to an Android phone that does not support ASHA (or other generic Bluetooth devices). A Signia myControl remote control app manages Bluetooth applications with both iPhones and Android smartphones.

Bluetooth hearing aid costs

Premium Bluetooth hearing aids aren't inexpensive. A pair can cost anywhere from $1,399 (at Costco) to $6,000 (or more) for top-end hearing aids.

Streaming accessories cost extra, and prices vary from clinic to clinic; fortunately, to achieve wireless Bluetooth connectivity, these accessories are needed less and less. However, when needed, a clip-on streamer can easily add $500 to the cost of hearing aids. And TV streamers and remote mics can cost even more, depending on their capabilities. Some local providers do provide discounts through our hearing aid discounts program.

Alternative Bluetooth-enabled OTC hearing aids and hearables

Several direct-to-consumer hearing aids available online offer Bluetooth compatibility, including over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, which you can buy directly from the manufacturer or through retailers like Best Buy and Walmart.

There is also a whole world of Bluetooth-enabled earpieces, hearables, and PSAPs (personal sound amplification products) to explore. Many of them integrate high-end hearing aid technology. Often they are less expensive than Bluetooth hearing aids. Sennheiser's Conversation Clear Plus and Apple's AirPods Pro 2 are two great examples.

Put on a pair of high-quality headphones and listen to the sound samples provided below for the Sennheiser Conversation Clear Plus hearables.

OTC hearing aids with Bluetooth streaming

There is quite a lot of confusion about over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, and HearingTracker has recently published an updated list of FDA-registered OTC hearing aids. In a subsequent article, we've picked what we think are the Top-10 best OTC hearing aids, several of which feature Bluetooth streaming:

Jabra Enhance Plus

Jabra Enhance Plus is a medical-grade self-fitting OTC hearing aid from GN Hearing, a major global hearing aid manufacturer that makes ReSound and Beltone hearing aids. At $799 per pair, the Jabra hearing aids look like modern wireless earbuds but have features more often associated with traditional hearing aids, including streaming audio and hands-free calling via Bluetooth (iPhones only).

Sennheiser All-Day Clear and All-Day Clear Slim

Sennheiser All-Day Clear and All-Day Clear Slim OTC hearing aids are made by Sonova, the world’s largest hearing aid manufacturer and maker of Phonak and Unitron hearing aids. Using this technology, these rechargeable aids are offered online for $1400 and $1500, respectively, and provide hands-free calling and music streaming for both iOS and Android-compatible phones. Except for the slim design of the latter, they are essentially the same in terms of functionality.

HP Hearing PRO

The HP Hearing PRO is a self-fitting OTC hearing aid branded by Hewlett-Packard and developed and manufactured by Australian audio device maker Nuheara. Now at a reduced price of $499 per pair, the HP Hearing PRO bears a strong resemblance to one of HearingTracker’s favorite hearables, the Nuheara IQbuds2 MAX—a smart, rechargeable, Apple and Android compatible earbud that comes with a great self-fitting app.

Unfortunately, Nuheara ran into financial trouble over payments to a large chip supplier, and it has recently entered voluntary administration. We're waiting to hear how this may affect the future of both of these otherwise very good OTC products.

Sony CRE-E10

The Sony CRE-E10 is an impressive rechargeable OTC earbud with good sound quality for Bluetooth audio streaming and hands-free calling for iPhones (v13.0 and higher) only. The CRE-E10 has been at the top of the HearAdvisor Leaderboard since its inception, with particularly high ratings for speech in quiet, speech in noise, and music streaming. It costs $1,099 per set.

Lucid Engage Rechargeable

Lucid is the manufacturer of Lucid hearing aids for Sam’s Club and the owner of Etymotic Research, which makes high-quality earplugs and headphones. Lucid Engage Rechargeable—which is offered online and Sam's Club—is a self-fit Receiver-In-canal (RIC) hearing aid that offers Bluetooth streaming and app-based controls for both iOS and Android devices. These OTC hearing aids go for $800 per pair, and you'll need to specify if you want Bluetooth streaming for either Android or iPhone when ordering.

Lexie B2 Powered by Bose

Available for $999, Lexie B2 Powered by Bose is one of the better OTC hearing aids. It now offers Bluetooth streaming for phone calls for compatible iPhones, although it does not support hands-free calling. These hearing aids stream phone calls for iPhones, although the audio is not designed or optimized for music or video content streaming and does not offer hands-free calling.

JLab Hear

Looking for a rechargeable OTC hearing aid with Bluetooth audio streaming functionality that won't break the bank? At $99, the JLab Hear OTC hearing aid earbuds are a great choice. These hearing aids offer wireless control and streaming for iOS and Android devices with Bluetooth 5.3. You also get hands-free calling for iPhones. The only major drawback is that JLab Hear OTCs are “instant-fit” devices that rely on preset programs instead of being tuned to your unique hearing loss as "self-fitting" OTCs.

Bluetooth LE Audio: The future of Bluetooth hearing aids

A new Bluetooth specification, Bluetooth 5.2, now provides higher-quality audio with less latency (delay) in wireless streaming and multichannel connectivity with multiple Bluetooth accessories. All of this is accomplished with Bluetooth LE Audio, the “next generation of Bluetooth audio,” available with Bluetooth 5.2.

Auracast to Make Bluetooth More Versatile and Accessible

In June 2022, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) announced the release of its new Auracast™ broadcast audio system which uses LE Audio. Auracast is designed to link Bluetooth hearing devices (including hearing aids, implants, earbuds, etc) that are Auracast-enabled to a Auracast-enabled transmitter through your Bluetooth-compatible smartphone, tablet, or computer.

So, if you’re attending a lecture, play, or ballgame, an Auracast transmitter might notify your smartphone that streaming audio is available. Then you’d use the Auracast Assistant on your phone to simply find and select that sound stream and have it paired with your Bluetooth hearing device.

Although Auracast is a brand new technology that may take some time for widespread implementation and use, it promises to expand Bluetooth’s usefulness to a much wider range of settings and situations, like airports, ticket booths, tours, personal song/audio sharing, and more.

At this writing, the only two hearing aids with the Bluetooth LE 5.2 standard that enables Auracast is ReSound Nexia; however, the Signia IX hearing aid is "Auracast-ready," meaning it will just need a firmware update to accommodate the technology. We think more manufacturers will follow suit, although some (like Phonak) may opt not to adopt Auracast just yet, as the older wireless standard still affords certain competitive advantages (e.g., in Phonak's case, hands-free calling for both iOS and Android).

Test results for streamed music quality from the HearAdvisor lab

We've detailed above some of the best and newest Bluetooth hearing aids. But how do hearing aids really stack up against each other in terms of audio quality when streaming music?

The HearAdvisor independent test lab has conducted tests on most of the top brands and models of hearing aids. Below are the initial fit scores on streamed music for hearing aids tested to date (August 2024) that scored ratings of 3.4 or better. The “initial fit” is how the hearing aid sounds by either following the manufacturer's instructions or the result of the hearing care provider's fitting when they're using the manufacturer's initial (first-fit) fitting algorithm. To view all of the tested hearing aid scores, visit the HearAdvisor Leaderboard, then select "Streamed Music" in the "Scores and Audio Files" section. This will also allow you to hear audio files of both the “initial fit” and “tuned fit” sound samples.

One apparent trend from the table above is that earbud-style hearing aids generally score higher for streamed music. That's because earbuds tend to seal off the ear canal completely (i.e., creating a "closed fitting"), allowing only the sound processed by the hearing aid to enter the ear canal. In contrast, the popular receiver-in-canal (RIC) devices generally allow external sounds to pass through the ear tip or vented dome (an "open fitting" or "vented fitting") in addition to the sound processed by the hearing aid, mixing them together in the ear canal. This can reduce the sound quality of streamed music but can significantly enhance the perception of the user's own voice while allowing for more natural low-frequency sounds.

So, the above table is useful if streamed audio is extremely important to you. However, most hearing aid users place a premium on top-notch performance in speech in quiet and speech in noise (a weak spot for Linner OTC hearing aids), as well as specific hearing aid features (e.g., rechargeability, user controls, etc.)—so please keep all these factors in mind!

For a more comprehensive look at the products, see our Best Hearing Aids and Best OTC Hearing Aids pages. You may also be interested in our Best Hearing Aids for Music page.

Can radiation from wireless hearing aids be harmful or cause brain damage?

People wondering about the health effects of Bluetooth and other wireless functions in hearing aids should know that science points to their safe use. Both the FDA and FCC regulate the amount of allowable radiation in wireless devices, including hearing aids, with health concerns at the forefront. In fact, one of the main reasons why wireless hearing aids are classified as Class 2 medical devices is this regulation.

Hearing aids run at about 1V of power (compared to 3.7-4.2V for cell phones) and need to conserve battery life if they are to operate for 12-16+ hours per day, so they can't afford to emit the same amount of energy and radiation as a cell phone or most other electronic devices. An article by Burwinkle et al. puts the risks of wireless hearing aids into perspective:

“The typical [Specific Absorption Rates (SAR)] values for wireless hearing aids range between 0.001-0.02 W/kg. In other words, the amount of electromagnetic radiation absorbed from wireless hearing aids is anywhere between 80 to 2,000 times less than what regulations would allow (1.6-2.0 W/kg). The variability in this range is directly tied to the wireless technology and radio frequency spectrum used in the device. At these measured levels, a patient would have to wear either 75 individual hearing aids that broadcast at 2.4 GHz or 1,125 individual hearing aids that broadcast at 900 MHz, simultaneously, in order to absorb the same amount of energy that we experience when holding a mobile phone to our ear.”

While some controversy exists about the electromagnetic radiation from cell phones, there is very little evidence they have a negative impact on health due to radiation. The FDA states, "Based on the evaluation of the currently available information, the FDA believes that the weight of scientific evidence has not linked exposure to radio frequency energy from cell phone use with any health problems at or below the radio frequency exposure limits set by the FCC.”

The bottom line

As much as we love Bluetooth technology at Hearing Tracker, it is only one of many variables to consider when purchasing hearing devices. Remember, hearing aids need to function as hearing aids first and foremost, and a local hearing health professional can provide guidance on what hearing aid options may be appropriate for you (given your unique hearing needs).