Time To Read: 8 minutes
When you’re working hard, your hearing aids might have to work even harder.
Major manufacturers have accessories that are designed to work alongside your hearing aids to give you additional options and more support in difficult-to-hear environments.
Until the arrival of Phonak Marvel last year, which can stream both Android and iPhone mobile phones via Bluetooth, hearing aids needed an additional accessory to stream Android phones.
One of the most popular accessories are TV connectors. They make it easier to listen to TV at comfortable volumes. They are ideal for overcoming challenges presented by today’s modern interior design that features hard flooring and minimalist design.
If you attend a lot of meetings, teleconferences and lectures, an additional microphone that streams directly to your hearing aids is a very worthwhile investment.
We run through the most popular brands and give you an overview of their accessories.
Oticon
ConnectClip hearing aid accessory
This handy device serves a number of different purposes. It works as a remote control for your hearing aids - but that’s not all.
The Connect Clip allows you to make and receive hands-free phone calls from your smartphone. On top of that, it also streams from your tablet or laptop which means you can listen to music or participate in online teleconferences and Skype calls.
It also has an inbuilt microphone which means it can be used to better hear lectures - just place it on a lecturn or ask the speaker to wear the device.
TV Adapter
Simply plug this device into your television and it will stream your favorite programs to your hearing aids. It works best up to 12 metres.
Phone adapter hearing aid accessory
Oticon brings the same technology in its TV adaptor to your landline phone. This device works in concert with your ConnectClip and your mobile phone.
Phonak
Phonak has a wide range of accessories for many situations, including classroom devices for students with hearing loss. We look at some of the most popular.
Phonak PartnerMic
If you want to hear one person in particular in a noisy situation, the PartnerMic could be just the accessory. All your friend has to do is clip it onto a piece of clothing.
TV Connector
The Phonak TV Connector makes watching your favourite TV show at a comfortable volume easy without excessive volumes disturbing other people.
Phonak Remote control
A simple to use remote control that makes changing volume and programs a breeze.
Roger Select
These little discs contain microphones which help you best hear the nearest speaker. It’s ideal for meetings and around the dinner party when your hearing aids need extra support. We have an excellent video here about how the Roger Select iN works.
Roger Pen
The Roger pen is favoured by business people who need to quickly and conveniently need an additional boost. All the Roger devices stream directly to your hearing aids.
GN ReSound
ReSound doesn’t have accessories but they do have a comprehensive app to help you fine tune your hearing aids. ReSound app offers the following features:
- Quick adjustment from main screen with one-tap access. The app allows you to make quick adjustments and save your favourite settings. One cool feature is the opportunity to save those settings at your favourite locations and have your hearing aids automatically switch to those settings when you return.
- Remote support. Send a request for assistance to your hearing care professional from the app. Receive new setting that you can save directly to your hearing aids.
- Tinnitus Management. Helps you cope with tinnitus by masking it with relieving sounds. Customise and adjust the sounds to fit your needs.
- Find my hearing aids. Hearing aids are tiny and are easy to misplace. The GN ReSound app will help you track your ‘missing’ aids.
Signia
Signia App
Volume, directionality, streaming, remote support are all available on one convenient phone app.
StreamLine TV
StreamLine TV feeds audio from your TV to your hearing aids in Dolby Digital quality. This device also supports other family members also wear hearing aids.
StreamLine Mic
StreamLine Mic turns your hearing aids into a hands-free mobile headset. It's also ideal for streaming music and can also be used as a remote microphone in challenging conditions such as crowded meetings.e calls and music with any Bluetooth smartphone. It also works as a remote microphone.
Widex
TV hearing devices
TV-DEX and TV PLAY are both hearing aid accessories. The TV-DEX is a device worn around the neck which streams sound directly to your hearing aids. TV PLAY plugs into your TV and won the 2018 Red Dot Award for its elegant and compact design.
Phone and mobile devices
The UNI-DEX is a neck-worn plug and play solution for easy mobile phone use. The device streams audio to your hearing aids - not just from mobiles, but any device with a mini-jack output.
Its long battery life means that UNI-DEX can stream for up to 40 hours. And it takes only an hour to fully recharge again.
Enjoy talking hands-free on your mobile phone or stream audio from your favourite device like an iPod, iPad etc.
CALL-DEX is an ultra-compact device for streaming conversations directly from your mobile phone to your hearing aids.
Extremely discreet, CALL-DEX simply inserts into the jack plug of your phone. You are then free to use your mobile phone normally. No neck loop and no need for your hearing care professional to set it up.
CALL-DEX lets you stream for up to 80 hours and is compatible with most mobile phones.
Unitron
TV Connector
This accessory can automatically switch hearing instruments to the TV program and frees patients from wearing a streamer. Patients instantly enjoy high-quality stereo sound, wirelessly.
uStream
Patients experience stereo sound through easy, more discreet connectivity to wireless devices, like mobile phones, TVs and Bluetooth MP3 players.
uDirect 3
This sleek, hands-free accessory lets patients enjoy direct connections to communication and entertainment devices, like mobile phones, TVs, FM receivers and MP3 players.
