7 Tricks to fix Bluetooth connectivity of your hearing aids

These days, most people use hearing aids for streaming music, podcasts, audiobooks, etc. Some of my patients have them paired to their computers, and they use them for gaming!

Due to the complexity of Bluetooth streaming via hearing aids, the connectivity may become a bit sketchy. Here are 7 tricks that help keep the Bluetooth connectivity of your hearing aids up and running:

1. Switch off your mobile phone and the hearing aids, and switch them all back on again.

2. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your mobile phone

3. Make sure that the hearing aids are paired to the hearing aid mobile app. Simply check to see if you can see the percentage of battery level of the hearing aids on the mobile app.

4. Make sure your iPhone operating system is up to date. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. For Android devices, check the Settings and look for or search for "System update"

5. Make sure that your hearing aid mobile app is up to date. Go to Google Play Store or Apple Store and search for your hearing aid app. If the app is updated, you will see a prompt that says "Open"; otherwise, you might see a caption which says "Update".

6. The firmware of your hearing aids is up to date. Most hearing aids are able to update their firmware via their mobile app. You can visit your audiologist for such an update. Unfortunately, a hearing aid firmware update cannot be done via telecare.

7. Close all the unwanted open apps on your mobile phone. Every time you open an app on your mobile phone, it stays open until you close it. After a week or two, depending on your regular use of different apps on your phone, the memory of your mobile phone may become congested, and some of these apps may start becoming slow in response or even work sketchily. Depending on the model of your mobile phone, switching off and on the mobile phone may not sort this out. Put your finger at the bottom of your iPhone and swipe up. You will see the open apps. Swipe them upward until they are all closed.

What is the Bluetooth range of my hearing aids?

Hearing aids are engineered differently, so the range of Bluetooth is not the same for all models and makes. With a good line of sight, the Bluetooth range of hearing aids should work ok for about a 7-10 meter range. However, some models such as Phonak and Unitron have a much longer Bluetooth range. Please see this article on the range and connectivity of Bluetooth in hearing aids.

Why do I see 3 lines in my Mobile phone Bluetooth settings for my Phonak hearing aids?

Phonak, Unitron and the CBT models of Signia and Rexton hearing aids use classic Bluetooth. The way the set up works that the hearing aids will show 3 lines in the Bluetooth settings on your mobile. One line for Bluetooth Streaming and 2 lines for the hearing aid app. For other hearing aids which are MFI (made for iPhone), you won't see any line in the Bluetooth settings, as the hearing aids integrate directly into the operating system (OS) of your iPhone.

How do I connect my hearing aids with MFI to my mobile phone?

If your hearing aids are Signia, Rexton, Widex, Resound, Philips, or Starkey, then you need to follow one of the following option depends on the model of your mobile phone:

• For iPhone mobile phones, go to Settings > Accessibility > Hearing Devices, reboot your hearing aids (switch them off and on, or simply place them in the charger unit and remove them). Your hearing aids will show up on your mobile phone. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the pairing.

• For Android mobile phones, install the respective mobile app of the hearing aids from the Google Play Store and follow the instructions on the app.

Can I reset the Bluetooth connectivity of my hearing aids?

Yes. Except for Phonak and Unitron hearing aids, which have a special procedure for resetting their Bluetooth connectivity (please see this article about Phonak Hard Reset), the rest of the hearing aids may need a fresh pairing.

If you have done all the suggested tips in this article and still have issues with streaming and Bluetooth connectivity stability, then you may want to start from scratch:

1. Delete the hearing aid mobile app

2. Switch off your mobile phone. Switch on your mobile phone.

3. Install the mobile app for your hearing aids from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

4. Follow the instructions on the hearing aid app to pair your hearing aids to your mobile phone.

At the end, I strongly suggest searching for the How-to-Videos of your hearing aids. Simply open a Google search and type "how-to videos for Signia". You will find the link to Signia's page for a library of videos which can help with maintenance and connectivity of your hearing aid model. If you own one of the very old mobile phones or a brand and make of mobile phone that is not in the "compatibility list" of the hearing aid manufacturer, then you might face even more connectivity issues.

My best advice is to check the compatibility of your mobile phone with the model and make of hearing aids that you wish to buy before purchasing your hearing aids, or you might end up upgrading your mobile phone too.