How does Bluetooth® technology work in hearing aids?

Bluetooth is a wireless technology that connects many devices we use daily, such as headsets, smartphones, laptops, speakers - and hearing aids. Bluetooth technology allows us to send data like photos, music, videos and voice without cables.

Bluetooth technology has three different protocols, each with its own features and applications.

LE Audio is the next generation of Bluetooth. It combines the benefits of Bluetooth Classic and Bluetooth Low Energy with longer battery life, multiple connections, and great audio quality.
LE Audio is designed specifically for audio transmission and lets you connect compatible Oticon hearing aids directly to devices that support it.

Bluetooth Low Energy uses less power than Bluetooth Classic. It is a standard protocol for data transmission only. Apple, Android™ and Oticon have their own Bluetooth Low Energy protocol versions to also send audio and other data formats.These versions are used in Bluetooth Low Energy enabled Oticon hearing aids and let you stream audio from your compatible Apple or Android devices.

Bluetooth Classic is the original Bluetooth technology. It is mostly used in devices like wireless headsets, gaming controllers and mobile phones. Oticon hearing aids do not use Classic Bluetooth.

Classic Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy technology protocols cannot talk to each other. This is why Oticon hearing aids cannot communicate directly with many widely available devices that use Classic Bluetooth.

Furthermore, the standard Bluetooth Low Energy protocol is designed for data transmission only. For this reason, Apple®, Android™ and Oticon have all developed their own Bluetooth Low Energy protocols to also be able to transmit audio - as well as other data formats.

LE Audio combines the benefits of Bluetooth Classic and Low Energy with longer battery life, multiple connections and great audio quality.

How do Oticon Bluetooth hearing aids communicate with other mobile devices?

Bluetooth Low Energy is already used in Apple’s mobile products such as the iPhone, which makes it possible to stream audio directly from compatible iPhone, iPad, and Mac to select Oticon Bluetooth hearing aids – be it phone calls, music or any other sound. The sound streaming is supported by Apple’s hands-free communication protocol.

Many Android phones support Android ASHA (Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids) protocol and some support LE Audio, meaning they can directly stream sound to compatible hearing aids. Click here to see which Android devices support direct streaming to Oticon hearing aids.

However, most Android devices only support Classic Bluetooth wireless technology. As this technology consumes much more power, Oticon hearing aids do not use it - which means direct streaming from the non-ASHA phones is not possible. This is where Oticon ConnectClip* comes in handy!

*Oticon ConnectClip is an additional accessory available for purchase and is not part of the hearing aid package.

ConnectClip is a device that wirelessly connects your mobile phone (Android or iPhone) to your Oticon Bluetooth hearing aids. As ConnectClip features both Classic Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy, it can speak to both the hearing aids and the devices that only have Classic Bluetooth technology. Communication between the two devices then becomes possible.

It also offers two-way audio, meaning it can stream your voice back to your phone. This two-way connection means you can enjoy the comfort of having hands-free phone calls with friends and family.

ConnectClip is also helpful when you need to listen directly to someone’s voice - in a crowded or noisy environment, for instance. In this case, ConnectClip works as a small remote microphone that is worn by your conversation partner. ConnectClip captures their voice and streams it directly into your ears through your hearing aids.