Best Bluetooth Hearing Aids for 2021
Top 5 Highest Ranked Bluetooth Hearing Aids
| The 3 Best Brands |  |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Accolades | Best Overall | Best for iPhone | Best OTC |
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Top 5 Highest Ranked Bluetooth Hearing Aids
Top 5 Highest Ranked Bluetooth Hearing Aids
Quick Note on Bluetooth Technology and Hearing Aids
A few caveats about Bluetooth before we get to our list.
Bluetooth is a wireless technology that operates on the 2.4 GHz radio frequency band. Bluetooth devices must be “paired” to each other and then “connected.” Paired devices use one or more standard “protocols” to transmit audio, data, or both.
The most common Bluetooth protocols used with hearing aids are Handset (listening and talking on the phone), Handsfree (listening and talking, voice commands and call, redial and end call commands) and A2DP (stereo music and media sound listening).
Bluetooth is generally a reliable, stable way of connecting, but there are a lot of Bluetooth devices out there. In addition, there are also a lot of non-hearing related consumer electronics that use 2.4 GHz including WiFi and smart TVs, refrigerators, and some security systems. In theory, these should not disrupt a paired Bluetooth connection, but in reality, you may need to periodically re-pair your hearing aids if you have a lot of these other 2.4 GHz products in your home.
Bluetooth is a “point-to-point” technology, so it only works between two specific devices. It’s not appropriate for group listening settings like lectures or houses of worship. It’s also important to understand that Bluetooth in and of itself will not help you hear better in noise unless you are using a remote microphone that connects to your hearing aids.
Bluetooth connectivity can work directly with your hearing aids or by connecting to an intermediary device called a rebroadcaster. These rebroadcasters all have different names with different providers, like the Oticon ConnectClip or the ReSound Phone Clip, so make sure to ask your hearing care professional about your options. Also, be sure to discuss how you expect to use Bluetooth, so you can select the correct combination.
How We Chose the Best Bluetooth Hearing Aids
It can be a challenge to sort through and research multiple brands and models of Bluetooth hearing aids. With that said, we have come up with the top 5 to help you make an informed and confident purchase. Several criteria have been assessed in the selection process, such as durability, ease of use, sound quality, and size. Learn more about the brands that made the top of our list!
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1. Widex
Pros
- Has corresponding apps to allow for easy personalization and a user-friendly experience
- Comes in rechargeable models
- Widex offers best-in-class spin processing including “Zero Delay” in its new MOMENT product line.
- Water-resistant
Cons
- Cannot purchase Widex hearing aids directly from website
Pricing
Widex does not present pricing details on their Bluetooth hearing aids online. Visit your local hearing center to speak with an audiologist about the cost and other Bluetooth hearing aid options that may best suit your lifestyle and needs.
Bottom Line
Widex is applauded for carrying Bluetooth hearing aids with exemplary sound quality and a multitude of apps to help users customize hearing aids to their liking. Those who are tech-savvy will enjoy the flexibility in customization, and iPhone users can especially take advantage of the brand’s “Made-for-iPhone” Bluetooth hearing aids. As far as customer service goes, Widex provides device support over the phone.
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2. Signia
Pros
- Great for people with all levels of hearing loss
- Many options to select from
- Made with innovative technology
- Own Voice Processing (OVP)
- myHearing app connects directly to hearing care professionals
Cons
- Higher cost
- Relies heavily on website to provide information, which may not be ideal for those who are not tech-savvy
Pricing
Depending on where you shop and buy Signia’s Bluetooth hearing aids, and the features and design you choose, the pricing will vary greatly. To find out whether any of Signia’s Bluetooth hearing aids fit within your budget, go to your local hearing aid center and speak with a professional.
Bottom Line
Signia has a comprehensive line of products and continues to push improved devices to serve people who are hard of hearing. If you are looking for a Bluetooth hearing aid that offers other important features like drowning out background noise or helping the user focus on speakers in conversations, then Signia may be a promising choice to consider! In addition to the variety of products, Signia also has many apps available to help people who are tech-savvy customize their user experience.
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3. Eargo
Pros
- Distributed outside of traditional prescription models
- Lower price as they are more accessible
- Sleek design
- Rechargeable
- Includes support from licensed hearing professionals
Cons
- Not designed for those with profound hearing loss
- Batteries are not replaceable
- Does not work with insurance companies
Pricing
Unlike competitors in the hearing aid industry, Eargo is transparent with their pricing. In fact, you can easily find pricing information online. As of this writing, the Eargo Neo HiFi costs $2,950, the Eargo Neo costs $2,350 and Eargo Max costs $1,850. It is possible to split the cost into monthly payments, which makes owning a quality hearing aid more affordable.
Bottom Line
While Eargo may be newer to the hearing aid business, they offer quality products at reasonable prices with amazing customer support whenever needed. It’s a big bonus for many that there’s no need to get a traditional prescription in order to purchase Eargo hearing aids. Last but not least, Eargo’s monthly payment plans make it much more affordable for people to get top-notch Bluetooth hearing aids without financial strain.
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4. Phonak
Pros
- Extended-wear technology
- Long-lasting battery
- Audéo Paradise and Marvel hearing aids offer complete freedom from the phone; wearer can use hearing aids as a wireless headset to answer phone calls without needing to close to phone
- Amazing phone capability and sound quality
- Environmental balance allows wearer to increase streamed audio volume over and above surroundings
Cons
- No speech in loud noise situation
- No Tinnitus therapy feature
- Cannot fine tune hearing aids remotely
Pricing
The cost of Phonak’s Bluetooth hearing aids differs depending on where you are shopping. Want to find out whether or not Phonak’s Bluetooth devices are within your budget? Consult your local hearing provider for additional information.
Bottom Line
Regardless of whether you use an iPhone or Android mobile device, Phonak offers a solid hearing aid solution for those seeking Bluetooth capability. The Audéo Paradise and Marvel family of products offer a truly hands-free solution. Unlike the other models, it doesn’t require an additional Bluetooth accessory to turn the hearing aids into wireless headphones while using a cell phone.
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5. Starkey
Pros
- 30-day trial available
- Crisp sound without interference
- Plenty of useful features in addition to Bluetooth capability
- Use corresponding free app to control the device from a mobile phone
- Multiple ways to contact customer support
Cons
- Warranty details not available on website
- Technology is on the basic side
- Not suitable for people with profound hearing loss
Pricing
Similar to most hearing aid brands, Starkey does not sell their Bluetooth hearing aids directly on the company website. The best way to go about purchasing Starkey’s devices is visiting the closest distributor or audiology center to inquire about pricing, product details, and possible financing plans available.
Bottom Line
Hailing from an extensive history of innovation and success in the hearing aid world, Starkey continues to enhance hearing experiences around the world with a wide variety of hearing aid solutions. Enjoy the sounds of the world clearly with Starkey’s Bluetooth hearing aids!
Benefits of Investing in Bluetooth Hearing Aids
Bluetooth is today’s cutting edge technology – not only for hearing aids, but for modern-day devices like smartphones, smartwatches, televisions, audio players… you name it! Bluetooth has elevated the hearing aid industry by providing a more seamless and convenient user experience. Stay connected with your friends and family, while enjoying music or your favorite TV shows without the need to ever remove your hearing aids.
Streaming via Bluetooth has many perks. Here are just a few:
Personalized Listening Experience
Not only can Bluetooth hearing aids help you process sounds and voices around you, they also allow you to enjoy music and your favorite shows. There is no need to replace hearing aids for a set of wireless earbuds – Bluetooth hearing aids can act as both! Bluetooth hearing aids can also be personalized to suit the wearer’s lifestyle and needs. For example, volume can be easily controlled by the streamer or the hearing aids, depending on the manufacturer’s design. Over time, settings can be honed to perfectly match the user’s preferences.
Standard Protocol
Since Bluetooth is an electronics industry standard protocol, the functionality is going to be pretty uniform from one device to another. Bluetooth connection is always secure with no interference. When shopping for a Bluetooth hearing aid, it’s a good idea to also take into consideration other features that may be important to you, such as Tinnitus masking, feedback cancellation, background noise reduction, and/or speech enhancement, depending on your needs.
Multiple Connections
Bluetooth hearing aids can be connected to various devices, so that you can conveniently switch between them as needed. For example, if you are watching a movie on your laptop, you can have the hearing aids connected to that device. If in the middle of the movie you receive an incoming phone call, you can pause the audio from your laptop and connect the hearing aids to your smartphone to accept the call. The specific limitations and process for this differs by manufacturer and model. If this kind of listening is important to you, be sure to ask your hearing care professional to demonstrate how this works and ask about manufacturer data on reliability and stability of their devices in this use case.
Remote Control
If you choose a Bluetooth hearing aid that is small or invisible, it may be hard to control settings such as volume on the device itself. The great news is that these days, it is pretty common for hearing aids to be equipped with the ability to adjust controls remotely from the streamer!
Conclusion
With much of today’s technology having Bluetooth integrated as a base feature, it’s a no-brainer to invest in a hearing aid with Bluetooth capability if you are shopping for one. If you are still unsure of which Bluetooth hearing aid is best for you and your lifestyle after exploring options online, reach out to an audiologist or hearing professional nearby to get additional feedback and guidance.
As a practicing audiologist since the 1990’s, Brad Ingrao, AuD has fitted thousands of hearing aids to seniors and people of all ages. Brad is the Official Audiologist for the International Committee on Sports for the Deaf and a well-known speaker. Dr…. Learn More About Brad Ingrao