Talking on a Cell Phone with Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are the key to staying in the loop with your friends and family. Still, many hearing aid users have trouble talking on a cell phone. Some hear a loud whistling or buzzing noise, while others simply can’t hear the conversation clearly. Since phone calls are an important way to stay in touch with loved ones, you’ll appreciate these tips to improve cell phone conversations with hearing aids.
Posted by Casandra Lee in Hearing Aid Lifestyle
Cell Phone Positioning
Try adjusting the way you hold your cell phone. Hearing aids work by amplifying the sounds around you before sending them down your ear canal. So you should position the phone slightly behind your ear at an angle to help your hearing aids pick up the sounds from your phone call. You may need to experiment a little to find the position that produces the clearest sound possible.
Telecoil
A telecoil, or t-coil, is a wireless antenna featured in some types of hearing aids. It links up to sound systems—such as your cell phone, television, or public announcement system—by acting as a receiver. When you use your cell phone, the t-coil in your hearing aid automatically switches off the microphone to avoid amplifying the ambient sound around you. That way, it’s easier to understand and focus on your phone conversation.
Be aware that most phones do not have telecoil capabilities, and instead use Bluetooth technology (which we will discuss in the next section).
Cell Phone Compatibility
Most modern cell phones are hearing aid compatible (HAC). Check your phone’s user manual to be sure. There, you should find information on how well the phone works with your hearing aid’s microphone (M-rating) and telecoil (T-rating). If you can’t find a T-rating, that means your cell phone won’t work with your hearing aid’s telecoil.
You can also look for hearing aids specifically designed to work with certain cell phones. Some of your options include:
- Made for iPhone: MFi hearing aids, including Widex EVOKE and Siemens Signia, feature bi-directional microphones to enable hands-free phone and FaceTime conversations for iPhone users.
- Android hearing aids: Any hearing aid manufacturer can now build native hearing aid support for Android phones. Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids (ASHA) offers low latency, high audio quality, and a minimal impact on battery life.
- Phonak Paradise: This Bluetooth hearing aid allows users to connect directly to their phone, TV, or other Bluetooth-enabled devices.
- Unitron Blu: With this Bluetooth hearing aid, users can answer and end calls, play and pause media, and access a virtual assistant with a double-tap of the ear.
Are you ready to upgrade your hearing aids for better cell phone conversations? Elite Hearing Centers of America would be happy to help! Experience the benefits of cell phone compatibility for yourself with our 30-day free trial. No cost, no-obligation, no kidding. Plus, your 100% satisfaction is guaranteed. To schedule your free hearing test and consultation, please call 855-432-7354 or contact us online. You’ll be glad you did!