How to Connect Your Hearing Aids to Your Smartphone: A Step-by-Step Guide

Modern hearing aids offer much more than improved hearing. Many Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids can connect to your smartphone, allowing you to adjust your hearing settings, stream phone calls and listen to music, videos and other audio directly through your hearing aids.

Whether you use an iPhone or an Android phone, connecting your hearing aids can make everyday communication more convenient and enjoyable.

If you’re unsure how to get started, don’t worry. In this guide, we’ll explain how to connect your hearing aids to your smartphone, troubleshoot common Bluetooth connection problems and explore the benefits of hearing aid connectivity.

Why Connect Your Hearing Aids to Your Smartphone?

Your smartphone is one of the most useful devices to pair with your hearing aids. Once connected, it can give you greater control over your listening experience and help you stay connected throughout the day. Depending on your hearing aid model and smartphone, connecting the two devices can allow you to:

Hear phone calls directly through your hearing aids, making conversations easier to follow.
Stream music, podcasts and audiobooks without needing separate headphones.
Listen to videos and online content, including YouTube videos, through your hearing aids.
Adjust your hearing aid settings using a compatible manufacturer’s app.
Receive notification sounds for texts, emails and other smartphone alerts, where supported.
These features can make your hearing aids more versatile and help you get the most out of your technology.

How to Pair Your Hearing Aids with Your Smartphone

Your hearing care professional will usually help you connect your hearing aids to your smartphone during your fitting appointment. However, you may occasionally need to reconnect them if the Bluetooth connection is lost, you replace your phone or you want to connect a new device.

The process is generally straightforward, although the exact steps can vary depending on your hearing aid manufacturer, model and smartphone.

Step 1: Turn On Bluetooth on Your Smartphone

First, make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your phone.

On an iPhone:

Open Settings.
Select Bluetooth.
Make sure Bluetooth is switched on.

On an Android phone:

Open Settings.
Select Bluetooth or Connected devices, depending on your phone.
Make sure Bluetooth is switched on.

Keep your hearing aids close to your smartphone while completing the pairing process.

Step 2: Make Sure Your Hearing Aids Are Ready to Connect

Check that your hearing aids have sufficient battery power or are adequately charged.

If your hearing aids are rechargeable, make sure they are switched on and removed from their charging case, if required by your model. For hearing aids with disposable batteries, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for restarting them.

If you are reconnecting hearing aids that were previously paired, switching them off and on again may help make them discoverable.

Step 3: Connect Your Hearing Aids to an iPhone

If you use an iPhone, the pairing process depends on whether your hearing aids support Apple’s hearing device connection feature.

For compatible hearing aids:

Open Settings on your iPhone.
Select Accessibility.
Tap Hearing Devices.
Follow the on-screen instructions to find and connect your hearing aids.
If prompted, confirm the pairing request.

Once connected, your hearing aids should appear as paired devices.

Some hearing aids connect through the standard Bluetooth menu or require the manufacturer’s companion app instead. If you cannot find your hearing aids under Hearing Devices, check the instructions for your particular model.

Step 4: Connect Your Hearing Aids to an Android Phone

If you use an Android smartphone, you can usually begin pairing through the Bluetooth settings. Some compatible hearing aids also support Google’s dedicated hearing device pairing features.

To get started:

Open Settings on your phone.
Select Connected devices or Bluetooth.
Choose the option to pair a new device, if available.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to put your hearing aids into pairing mode.
Select your hearing aids when they appear on the screen.
Accept any pairing requests to complete the connection.

Depending on your hearing aids and Android phone, you may also need to install the manufacturer’s app to access additional settings and features.

Top tip: If your hearing aids do not appear in the list of available devices, restart them and try again. You may also need to disconnect them from another device before pairing them with your smartphone.

Step 5: Download the Hearing Aid Manufacturer’s App

Once your hearing aids are connected, consider downloading the companion app recommended by your hearing care professional.

Many hearing aid manufacturers offer apps that allow you to adjust volume, switch listening programmes and personalise settings directly from your smartphone. The available features depend on your hearing aid model and phone.

Your hearing care professional can help you identify the correct app and show you how to use it.

What Can You Stream to Your Hearing Aids?

Once your hearing aids are connected to your smartphone, you may be able to stream a variety of sounds directly to your ears.

Depending on your devices, these include:

Phone calls: Hear compatible calls directly through your hearing aids.
Music and podcasts: Enjoy your favourite songs, programmes and audio content.
Videos: Listen to YouTube videos (such as the below) and other online video content.

Audiobooks: Enjoy spoken-word content with compatible streaming features.
Notifications: Hear alerts for messages, emails and other apps where supported.

Bluetooth connectivity can make everyday activities more convenient, particularly when you want to listen without increasing the volume for everyone around you.

Can You Connect Your Hearing Aids to Your TV?

Yes, many hearing aids can be connected to a television using a compatible TV streaming accessory. This can allow you to hear the television’s sound directly through your hearing aids, giving you greater control over your listening experience.

The equipment you need will depend on your hearing aid model and television. Some setups may also support other connection methods.

Speak to your hearing care professional about compatible TV streamers and other accessories. They can help you choose a solution that suits your hearing aids and your home entertainment system.

How to Fix Common Hearing Aid Bluetooth Problems

Occasionally, your hearing aids may fail to connect to your smartphone or the Bluetooth connection may stop working. Before contacting your hearing care professional, try these troubleshooting steps:

Check Bluetooth: Make sure Bluetooth is switched on in your smartphone’s settings.
Check the battery: Ensure your hearing aids have enough charge or battery power.
Restart your hearing aids: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to switch them off and on again.
Keep your devices close together: Place your smartphone near your hearing aids while pairing.
Check existing connections: Your hearing aids may already be connected to another phone or tablet.
Try the pairing process again: Follow the instructions for your specific hearing aid model and smartphone.
Check the manufacturer’s app: Make sure you have the correct app and follow any instructions it provides.

If your hearing aids still will not connect, avoid repeatedly resetting them without checking the manufacturer’s guidance. Your hearing care professional can help identify the cause and talk you through the next steps.

Get the Most Out of Your Connected Hearing Aids

Connecting your hearing aids to your smartphone can open up a range of useful features, from clearer phone conversations to convenient audio streaming and personalised hearing settings.

Although the pairing process may look a little different on an iPhone or Android phone, it is often simple once you know where to look. Remember that the available features and connection methods vary between hearing aid models and smartphones.

If you need help connecting your hearing aids, choosing the right accessories or resolving a Bluetooth issue, our team is here to help.

Get in touch today for friendly advice or to book a hearing aid service appointment. We’ll be happy to help you get the most from your hearing technology.