Amazon Adds New Accessibility Features to Fire TVs for Hearing Aid and Cochlear Implant Users

Amazon has introduced a pair of significant accessibility enhancements for Fire TV that benefit users with hearing loss: a feature called Dialogue Boost, powered by machine learning, and expanded Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids (ASHA) with a “Dual Audio” listening mode.

The new features are designed to provide users of compatible hearing aids, cochlear implants, and bone-conduction hearing devices with:

  • Clearer dialogue: Dialogue Boost helps those who struggle to understand speech over background noise without needing external sound systems.
  • Inclusive shared viewing: Dual Audio enables a hybrid listening scenario—ideal for households where members have different auditory needs, and
  • Broader device support: ASHA compatibility on multiple Fire TV models and for various hearing device brands, significantly widening accessibility.

Dialogue Boost: AI-Enhanced Speech Clarity

As revealed in a LinkedIn post by Trausti Kristjansson, Senior Research Manager at Amazon Lab126, the company has introduced Dialogue Boost to all existing 2nd‑generation Fire TV Stick 4K and Stick 4K Max units. This update began rolling out over the air in July 2025, following nearly a decade of research and development.

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Dialogue Boost utilizes on-device machine learning to detect, isolate, and remix dialogue, reducing background sounds and amplifying speech frequencies to enhance clarity and distinctiveness. The feature is available via the Accessibility menu item in Settings, and users are able to select a preferred level of speech emphasis.

For more details and instructions, please refer to the "Dialogue Boost Mode" section of the Amazon Accessibility Features for Fire TV webpage and Select Dialogue Boost on Prime Video for Web, Amazon Devices, and Mobile Devices.

ASHA Hearing Device Expansion & Dual Audio: Private & Shared Listening

Fire TV has supported Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids (ASHA) for some time, enabling direct Bluetooth streaming to compatible devices, including hearing aids, cochlear implants, and bone-conduction aids.

Recently, Amazon expanded ASHA compatibility to include a wider range of hearing devices—including select Widex, Starkey, and Cochlear Ltd. devices—and extended functionality across multiple Fire TV models: Omni Series, Omni Mini‑LED, Omni QLED, Cube (2nd & 3rd Gen), 4-Series, and 2-Series.

Moreover, the introduction of a Dual Audio feature on Fire TV Omni Mini-LED Series TVs now allows users with ASHA-enabled hearing aids to stream TV audio directly to their devices while others in the room continue to listen via the TV speakers—enabling both private and communal viewing simultaneously.

You can find instructions for the Dual Audio feature on Amazon's webpage, Use Dual Audio on Your Fire TV Smart TV.

  • Karl Strom

    Karl Strom

    Editor in Chief

    Karl Strom is the editor-in-chief of HearingTracker. He was a founding editor of The Hearing Review and has covered the hearing aid industry for over 30 years.