But what exactly is Bluetooth technology, and how do you choose the best Bluetooth hearing aids? We explore everything you need to know to decide if Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids are right for you, and review some of the best Bluetooth hearing aids available today. Bluetooth is a form of wireless technology in which devices use radio waves to communicate over a short distance. Bluetooth helps users connect their electronic devices wirelessly, enhancing the ease of use. When you connect two Bluetooth-compatible devices — such as a smartphone with a set of Bluetooth headphones — it’s called “pairing the devices.” Once paired, you can take calls or listen to music without having to hold your phone up to your ear or deal with wires. Here are a few of the things you can do with Bluetooth digital hearing aids that you can’t with traditional hearing aids:

Hands-free calls You can take calls without lining up your phone with the hearing aid microphone.Audio on the go You don’t need to take out your hearing aids to put in headphones. Instead, stream audio directly to your hearing aids while walking or working out. Another perk? You can retain your ability to hear what’s going on around you.Control personal volume You can watch TV with your family or friends and adjust your sound without changing the volume for everyone.Smartphone app control Pair your smartphone with your hearing aids for easy hearing aid control. You won’t need to manipulate your hearing aids directly — instead you use the app to adjust settings like volume and connectivity.

Pros

Better sound quality With Bluetooth hearing aids, you experience music, podcasts, and phone calls without removing your hearing aids or having to line up devices with the hearing aid microphone. The result is higher quality sound.Superior sound control Many Bluetooth hearing aids allow you to pair one or both hearing aids to a device. When you pair both, you get to enjoy a richer, more balanced sound. With just one hearing aid paired, you retain your ability to hear what’s going on around you, which can keep you safe when driving or jogging outdoors.Enhanced ease of use When you pair Bluetooth hearing aids with your smartphone and other Bluetooth devices, you don’t have to switch from one device to another. You may listen to music from your smartphone and seamlessly accept a call or start a conference call from your laptop.Convenient hearing aid control Adjusting traditional hearing aid settings can be challenging if you have limited dexterity. Using either a streamer or smartphone, you gain easy control over your hearing aid settings.

Cons

Higher price Because Bluetooth hearing aids contain additional technology, they cost more than your standard hearing aids.Short battery life Bluetooth utilization can drain hearing aid batteries. Look for hearing aids with good battery life and charging cases for convenient charging on the go.Learning curve If you’re new to Bluetooth technology, it will take time to learn. Over time, the process becomes easier and faster.May need a streamer While you can most likely find hearing aids that pair with your existing smartphone, you may need a streamer — especially if you don’t use a smartphone. A streamer acts as a central connection point for Bluetooth devices.

The battery-powered hearing aids come with a one-year supply of batteries. The rechargeable version boasts 30 hours of sound per charge, with the portable case holding three additional charges. Jabra Enhance hearing aids are nearly invisible and come in seven colors designed to match your hair shade. Both versions allow for direct streaming from Apple devices, while the rechargeable model also supports streaming from select Android devices. You can purchase Jabra Enhance’s Android Phone Clip+ streamer that accommodates all Bluetooth-enabled Android devices for an added fee. What sets the Jabra Enhance buyer’s experience apart is three years of complimentary follow-up care. Use the Jabra Enhance Select app to work remotely with an audiology team when you need assistance with your sound experience. Price: $1,195 to $1,995 Hearing loss suitability: Mild to moderately severe hearing loss Type: Receiver-in-canal Trial period: 100-day money-back guarantee Warranty: Three-year manufacturer’s warranty and three-year loss and damage protection Get Jabra Enhance at JabraEnhance.com With noise reduction, feedback cancellation technology, and automatic adjustment between four audio settings, the Core hearing aids deliver high quality for the cost. MDHearing often runs specials on its products. Its latest promotion is to buy one MDHearing Core and get the second one for 75 percent off. Price: $299 to $699 Hearing loss suitability: Mild to moderately severe hearing loss Type: Behind-the-ear Trial period: 45-day risk-free trial Warranty: 90-day warranty Get MDHearing Core at Mdhearingaid.com or call 844-936-0233. The Wave standard model is a budget-friendly Bluetooth hearing aid with conventional batteries. For $400 more per hearing aid, you can upgrade to rechargeable batteries. Audicus hearing aids come standard with unlimited programming adjustments and support; a short, 45-day trial; and a one-year warranty. Audicus charges extra for loss and repair coverage. Starting at $59 per month, Audicus offers a membership program that includes new Wave hearing aids every 18 months, loss and damage protection, and accessories. Price: $899 to $1,798 Hearing loss suitability: Mild to severe hearing loss Type: Receiver-in-the-canal Trial period: 45-day money-back trial Warranty: One-year manufacturer’s warranty Find Audicus Wave at Audicus.com. The P90 Bluetooth hearing aids come with either standard or rechargeable batteries. For ease of use, the P90 has built-in tapping technology so you can pause or play audio streaming by tapping near your hearing aids. Price: $2,299 to $2,399 Hearing loss suitability: Mild to profound hearing loss Type: Receiver-in-canal Trial period: 45-day risk-free trial Warranty: Three-year warranty for manufacturing defects and loss and damage Get Phonak Audeo Paradise 90 at Ziphearing.com. BrainHearing enhances understanding by providing the brain with the information it needs to interpret sound better. Based on clinical evidence collected by Oticon, BrainHearing technology results in a 15 percent increase in speech understanding. And with Tinnitus SoundSupport, you can manage tinnitus symptoms with customizable sounds and settings. Oticon More facilitates direct streaming from all iPhones and select Android devices. With Oticon’s ConnectClip streaming device, you can pair all Bluetooth-enabled smartphones to the More hearing aids. The More are rechargeable and fully charge in only three hours. Price: $1,599 to $2,399 Hearing loss suitability: Mild to moderate hearing loss Type: In-the-canal Trial period: 45-day money-back guarantee Warranty: Three-year manufacturer’s warranty and three-year loss and damage warranty Get Oticon More at Ziphearing.com. The One’s Bluetooth capabilities can stream directly from either Android or Apple smartphones. These hearing aids are rechargeable with up to three days of charges in the portable carrying case for easy charging anywhere. With the ReSound One Relief app, users can adjust settings to manage tinnitus symptoms and enhance overall sound quality. Price: $1,499 to $2,399 Hearing loss suitability: Mild to severe hearing loss Type: Receiver-in-ear Trial period: 45-day trial with free returns Warranty: One-year to four-year manufacturer’s warranty and one-year lost, stolen, or damaged warranty Find ReSound One at Ziphearing.com. The Moment BTE 13 D hearing aids marry clear sound with Bluetooth connectivity. You may pair your Moment hearing aids to an iPhone or iOS device directly or use a COM-DEX streamer to connect to Android devices. Price: $1,399 to $2,299 Hearing loss suitability: Mild to moderately severe hearing loss Type: In-the-ear or behind-the-ear Trial period: 45-day risk-free trial Warranty: Three-year manufacturer’s warranty and three-year loss and damage warranty Get Widex Moment at Ziphearing.com. Price: $1,649 Hearing loss suitability: Mild to moderate hearing loss Type: In-the-ear Trial period: 45-day trial Warranty: Three-year manufacturer’s warranty and three-year loss and damage warranty Get Signia CROS X at Ziphearing.com. The Thrive Hearing Control app also boasts some unique features. Using your hearing aids, you can find your phone by having it ring, and the app can transcribe your conversations. Price: $1,449 to $2,899 Hearing loss suitability: Mild to profound hearing loss Type: Behind-the-ear Trial period: 45-day money-back guarantee Warranty: Three-year manufacturer’s warranty and three-year loss and damage warranty Get Starkey Livio AI at Ziphearing.com. If you have an iPhone, look for Made for iPhone (MFi) hearing aids. For Android users, the best hearing aids have Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids (ASHA) technology. Universal Bluetooth hearing aids are compatible with both Apple and Android phones and other devices. Consumers without a smartphone require a separate device called a streamer. A streamer acts as a central connection point for your Bluetooth devices. Similarly, you may find that you need a streamer in the future if you buy a different smartphone or have some Apple and some Android devices. Other factors to consider include:

Price Bluetooth hearing aids range in cost from around $800 to $5,000 each.Battery Consider the battery life and whether the hearing aid uses rechargeable or disposable batteries. Rechargeable batteries are the most convenient for adults who spend lots of time away from home.Style Consider whether you prefer in-the-ear, in-the-canal, or behind-the-ear Bluetooth hearing aids.

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