Over 80 percent of premium hearing aids sold globally now include Bluetooth streaming capability, according to the Hearing Industries Association. What was once a niche feature limited to top-tier devices has become a baseline expectation across mid-range and premium models. This guide explains how Bluetooth hearing aids work, what benefits they deliver, and how to choose the right wireless hearing aid for your daily routine in Melbourne.
How Bluetooth Hearing Aids Work
Bluetooth hearing aids use short-range wireless technology to receive audio signals from external devices and deliver that sound directly into your ears. The implementation involves different protocols depending on the device you are streaming from and the manufacturer of your hearing aids.
Apple Made for iPhone (MFi) Protocol
Apple developed the Made for iPhone hearing aid protocol to enable direct audio streaming between iOS devices and compatible hearing aids. MFi uses a modified Bluetooth Low Energy connection combined with Apple's proprietary audio pathway. When paired, all audio from the phone streams to both hearing aids simultaneously: phone calls, FaceTime audio, music, podcasts, navigation prompts, and notification alerts. The MFi protocol also supports Live Listen, a feature that turns the iPhone microphone into a remote microphone that transmits to the hearing aids, useful in noisy restaurants or group conversations.
Android ASHA Protocol
Google introduced the Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids (ASHA) protocol with Android 10. ASHA is an open, royalty-free standard built on Bluetooth Low Energy that allows compatible hearing aids to pair directly with Android smartphones and stream all audio types without requiring a separate streamer. ASHA support is available on devices running Android 10 or later from participating manufacturers including Google and Samsung. The protocol was designed to lower integration costs for hearing aid manufacturers, which has accelerated Android compatibility across brands.
Classic Bluetooth
Some hearing aid manufacturers, notably Phonak, use classic Bluetooth (the same Bluetooth profile found in wireless headphones and speakers) rather than MFi or ASHA. This approach offers broader device compatibility because classic Bluetooth pairs with virtually any Bluetooth-enabled phone, tablet, or computer regardless of operating system. The trade-off is higher power consumption compared to the low-energy protocols, which affects battery life during streaming sessions.
Bluetooth LE Audio and the Future
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group introduced LE Audio as part of the Bluetooth 5.2 specification, bringing native hearing aid support into the Bluetooth standard. LE Audio includes the LC3 codec, which delivers better audio quality at lower bitrates, and Auracast, a broadcast audio feature that lets public venues transmit sound to multiple hearing devices simultaneously. As manufacturers adopt LE Audio, the need for separate MFi and ASHA protocols may diminish in coming years.
Key Benefits of Bluetooth Hearing Aids
The practical advantages of wireless hearing aids extend well beyond convenience. Direct streaming transforms how you interact with the audio devices you use every day.
Phone Calls in Both Ears
Traditional hearing aids pick up phone audio through the air or through a telecoil, delivering sound to one ear only and often introducing background noise. Bluetooth hearing aids stream call audio directly to both ears simultaneously. This binaural delivery significantly improves speech clarity because your brain processes the signal from two ears rather than one. Calls sound fuller, more natural, and easier to follow, particularly in noisy environments. Answering and ending calls can be handled through a tap on the hearing aid or through the manufacturer's app.
Music and Media Streaming
Bluetooth hearing aids stream music, podcasts, audiobooks, and video audio directly from your phone or tablet. Streamed audio is processed through the same amplification settings used for environmental sound, meaning the music is shaped to match your specific hearing loss profile. Stereo separation is maintained when streaming to both ears, giving you a richer listening experience than a single-ear setup can provide.
Television Connectivity
Most major hearing aid manufacturers produce a TV adapter, a small transmitter that connects to your television's audio output and streams the audio directly to your hearing aids. This setup lets you set your preferred TV volume independently from the volume everyone else in the room hears. The latency on modern TV adapters is low enough that lip movements and dialogue remain synchronised. For households where one person needs higher TV volume than the rest of the family, this feature can significantly improve daily life.
Smartphone App Control
Smart hearing aids pair with manufacturer apps that give you control over volume, programme settings, and equalisation without touching the devices. You can switch between listening programmes, adjust bass and treble levels, check battery status, and in some cases use a "find my hearing aid" feature that pinpoints a misplaced device on a map. Some apps also offer remote adjustment, where your audiologist can fine-tune settings over the internet without requiring an in-person visit.
Compatible Devices and Platforms
Before choosing hearing aids with Bluetooth, it is worth understanding which of your current devices will connect and which may require an adapter.
iPhone and iPad
Apple devices running iOS 12 or later support MFi hearing aids. The pairing process is straightforward: open Settings, go to Accessibility, select Hearing Devices, and your hearing aids appear when they are in pairing mode. Once paired, the connection is automatic whenever both devices are powered on and within range. All iPhone models from the iPhone 5s onward support MFi hearing aids, as do iPad models from the fifth generation and later.
Android Smartphones
Android 10 introduced ASHA support, but not every Android phone manufacturer has implemented the protocol. Google Pixel devices support ASHA natively, as do many recent Samsung Galaxy models. If you use an Android phone, confirm ASHA compatibility with your specific model before purchasing. Alternatively, hearing aids that use classic Bluetooth pair with any Android device without requiring ASHA support.
Television and Home Audio
Direct streaming from a television to hearing aids typically requires a manufacturer-specific TV adapter, a small transmitter that connects to your television's audio output. Some newer televisions with built-in Bluetooth can pair directly with hearing aids supporting standard Bluetooth profiles, but adapter-based connections remain more reliable and deliver lower latency.
Battery Life Considerations with Bluetooth Streaming
Bluetooth streaming is one of the most power-intensive tasks a hearing aid performs. Understanding the impact on battery life helps you plan your daily routine and choose between rechargeable and disposable battery models.
Rechargeable Hearing Aids
Current rechargeable hearing aids using lithium-ion batteries typically deliver 24 to 30 hours of use on a single charge when streaming is light or absent. Moderate streaming, such as an hour of phone calls and an hour of music, reduces this to roughly 20 to 24 hours. Continuous streaming of podcasts or music throughout the day can bring total battery life down to 12 to 16 hours. Most users find that overnight charging easily covers a full day of mixed use, but heavy streamers should factor the reduced runtime into their expectations and may benefit from a portable charging case.
Disposable Battery Hearing Aids
Hearing aids powered by zinc-air button batteries also experience reduced life during Bluetooth streaming. A size 312 battery that might last five to seven days without streaming can drop to three or four days with regular streaming. Size 13 batteries provide more capacity and are better suited to Bluetooth models if you prefer disposable batteries.
Tips to Extend Battery Life
Turn off streaming when not actively listening rather than leaving a paused stream connected. Reduce streaming volume to a comfortable level, as higher output draws more power. Keep your hearing aids and charging contacts clean, as debris on the charging pins reduces charging efficiency on rechargeable models.
Top Bluetooth Hearing Aid Brands Available in Australia
The Australian market offers Bluetooth hearing aids from all major global manufacturers. Each brand takes a different approach to wireless connectivity, and understanding these differences helps you have an informed conversation with your audiologist at our Melbourne clinic.
Phonak
Phonak, manufactured by Sonova, uses classic Bluetooth in its Paradise, Lumity, and Infinio platforms. Phonak hearing aids pair directly with virtually any Bluetooth device, including iPhones, Android phones, and computers, without requiring a specific protocol. This universal approach is the broadest in the industry, but it does consume more battery power than MFi or ASHA alternatives. Phonak also offers the Roger ecosystem of wireless microphones and TV adapters.
Oticon
Oticon, part of the Demant group, supports both MFi and ASHA protocols across its Real, Intent, and Xceed platforms, meaning Oticon hearing aids stream directly from both Apple and Android devices. Oticon also manufactures the ConnectClip, a multifunction device that acts as a remote microphone, TV streamer, and hands-free phone interface.
Signia
Signia, from WS Audiology, offers Bluetooth connectivity through both MFi and ASHA in its Pure Charge&Go IX and Styletto platforms. The Signia app includes guided masking for tinnitus relief alongside standard volume and programme controls. Their StreamLine TV adapter provides low-latency television streaming, and the StreamLine Mic handles hands-free phone calls and remote microphone functionality.
ReSound
ReSound, manufactured by GN, was among the first brands to introduce direct iPhone streaming with its MFi-compatible LiNX line. Current models including ReSound Nexia and Omnia support both MFi and ASHA. ReSound also offers the Multi Mic, a versatile accessory that functions as a table microphone, remote microphone, and TV streamer. ReSound's Bluetooth implementation is known for stable connections and efficient battery management.
Starkey
Starkey's Genesis AI and Edge AI platforms support MFi and ASHA streaming. Starkey differentiates its Bluetooth hearing aids with integrated health features including fall detection, physical activity tracking, and heart rate monitoring, all transmitted via Bluetooth to the Thrive app. This combination of audio streaming and health monitoring positions Starkey's devices as broader wellness tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Bluetooth hearing aids work with both iPhone and Android?
Most modern Bluetooth hearing aids support both platforms. Apple devices use the Made for iPhone (MFi) protocol for direct streaming, while Android devices running Android 10 or later use the ASHA (Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids) protocol. Some manufacturers, such as Phonak, use classic Bluetooth which pairs with virtually any Bluetooth-enabled device regardless of operating system. Your audiologist can confirm compatibility with your specific phone.
Does Bluetooth streaming reduce hearing aid battery life?
Yes. Bluetooth streaming draws additional power from the hearing aid battery. Rechargeable models that last 24 to 30 hours without streaming typically deliver 16 to 20 hours with moderate streaming, and closer to 12 hours with continuous music or podcast playback. Traditional zinc-air batteries also drain faster during streaming, often requiring more frequent replacement. Newer LE Audio chips are improving power efficiency with each generation.
Can Bluetooth hearing aids connect to a television?
Yes, through a TV adapter or streamer. Most major hearing aid manufacturers sell a small transmitter that connects to your television's audio output and streams sound directly to your hearing aids. This lets you set your preferred TV volume independently from what others in the room hear. Some newer hearing aids with LE Audio support can connect to compatible televisions without a separate adapter.
What is the range of a Bluetooth hearing aid connection?
The typical operating range for Bluetooth hearing aids is approximately 10 metres when paired with a smartphone. TV adapters and manufacturer streamers may extend this to 15 metres or more under ideal conditions with minimal wall obstructions. Range decreases when walls, furniture, or other electronic devices interfere with the Bluetooth signal. The connection drops and audio stops when you move beyond the effective range.
Works Cited
Hearing Industries Association. "HIA Quarterly Statistical Report: U.S. Hearing Aid Sales." HIA, 2024, hearing.org.
Bluetooth SIG. "Bluetooth LE Audio: Technical Overview and Hearing Aid Applications." Bluetooth Special Interest Group, 2023, bluetooth.com/le-audio.
Apple. "Made for iPhone Hearing Devices: Developer Documentation." Apple Inc., 2024, developer.apple.com/accessibility/hearing-devices.
Google. "Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids (ASHA): Android Developer Guide." Google LLC, 2024, developer.android.com/guide/topics/connectivity/asha.
Kochkin, S. "MarkeTrak X: Hearing Aid Adoption, Satisfaction, and Technology Trends." Hearing Review, vol. 28, no. 3, 2022, pp. 12-28.
Fellizar, A., and Iane, J. "Bluetooth Streaming and Its Effect on Hearing Aid Battery Life." Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, vol. 34, no. 5, 2023, pp. 340-349.