If there ever was a solution that has helped us maintain better hearing no matter where we are or what we are doing, it’s streaming.
The ability to stream others’ voices, entertainment, information, or guidance directly to Bluetooth® enabled hearing aids dramatically:
- Improves the ability to communicate with others over background noise
- Personalizes listening experiences
- Deepens connections with the world around us
- Simplifies daily life in general
And with the recent innovation of Auracast™—the next generation Bluetooth technology that helps us hear public broadcasts with immersive clarity—the progression of streaming solutions shows no signs of slowing.
Until that next breakthrough—let’s explore 5 ways streaming can make hearing with hearing aids even better for us, today.
1. Clear, hands-free calls and entertainment
In the past, it wasn’t unusual for a hearing aid wearer to experience feedback through their hearing aids when having a phone conversation with their phone up to their ear.
That was then, this is now: The continued evolution of hearing technology has paved the way for Bluetooth enabled hearing aids, which allow us to stream phone calls—hands-free—straight through our hearing devices.
Here’s how:
When hearing aids are paired to a smartphone or tablet, the Bluetooth connection allows the audio of incoming or outgoing calls to automatically route through to the hearing aids—as though they are wireless earbuds. Meanwhile, the hearing aid microphones pick up our voice so we can be heard, too, with compatible devices.
Answering calls is as simple as touching a button on the hearing aids or simply answering via the smartphone—they will automatically begin streaming through our hearing aids.
So, we can walk, cook, do whatever we need to do—all while having conversations hands free: Convenient communication never felt so effortless.
Effortless entertainment anytime
The same logic of pairing Bluetooth hearing aids with smartphones (or other smart devices, such as tablets or smart TVs) also allows the streaming of entertainment to our hearing aids—including music, movies, podcasts, videos, and so on. Simply press “Play” from the paired smart device, and the audio will route straight through to the hearing aids. And—like streamed phone calls—background noise is minimized.
How’s that for handy, especially when we think about strolling to our top 50 tunes or tuning in to the shows we’re obsessed with, whether waiting at the airport or chilling in an armchair?
Thanks to streaming, we can enjoy entertainment at our fingertips—anytime, anywhere.
2. Personalized audio
The added benefit of streaming from Bluetooth hearing aids is that we have full control over what we are listening to from our smartphone, smart TV, tablet, etc.
Whether it’s watching a favorite show or a making a phone call, Bluetooth connectivity allows us to control the volume of whatever audio device we are connected to—using the hearing controls of our hearing aids or the audio streaming screen on the My Starkey app.
When it’s our audio our way, gone are the days of disagreements over the sound volume of the TV, in particular. Both ourselves and our companions will hear sound exactly how we need it, thanks to audio streaming.
And how good does it feel to hear a great song how it’s meant to be heard—or to know we won’t miss a word of that mystery podcast we love? Streaming makes it happen.
3. Staying connected in public places
Streaming plays a tremendous role in assistive listening systems. This technology is designed to help hearing device wearers hear better in public venues where background noise is common, by allowing them to receive sound directly to their hearing aids (or other devices) from sources such as microphones, public address systems, TVs, and more.
While hearing loops* continue to be helpful in public places today, limitations such as poor sound quality, high installation cost, and lack of privacy have since prompted Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) to create an even greater solution: Auracast™ broadcast audio.
Auracast is a new, state-of-the-art assistive listening technology that uses the power of Bluetooth LE Audio to broadcast clear, smooth audio directly to hearing aids, earbuds, or headphones in public locations. Such locations include airports, theaters, museums, gyms, bars, and beyond—wherever Auracast broadcasts are available.
If you know how to find a Wi-Fi network on your smartphone, accessing an Auracast broadcast is just as simple, using the My Starkey app.
Get the full scoop on Auracast in this short video:
Plus, learn more about Auracast and Bluetooth hearing aids here.
Staying connected to the information we need and the entertainment we want has never been easier.
4. Solutions that enhance our hearing aid functions
We can enhance the functionality of our hearing aids even more with wireless accessories, which rely on streaming to deliver solutions that simplify staying connected.
Wireless accessories effortlessly link to compatible Bluetooth hearing aids and are the perfect “co-pilot” for any environment with heavy background noise and some distance between the person or thing we are trying to hear—or a combination of the two.
Popular wireless accessories include:
- StarLink Edge TV Streamer helps us hear TV at the volume we need without affecting other viewers. Simply connect this accessory to the TV or other electronic audio source (e.g., computer, DVD player, cable box)—and by picking up the audio signal, that source will stream the sound of the entertainment straight to our hearing aids.
- StarLink Edge Remote Microphone assists with conversations in background noise (think restaurants, gatherings, outdoor settings) or with hearing a speaker at a public event. Just clip this small accessory onto the clothing (e.g. lapel) of the person speaking, and the built-in microphone will pick up their voice and stream it to our hearing aids (as though they are beside us).
- StarLink Edge Table Microphone is ideal for group situations, helping us to hear each individual speaker without missing a beat. Place the accessory in the center of the table and its built-in microphones will pick up the primary speaker’s voice and stream it to our hearing aids.
- StarLink Edge Remote Control 2.0 offers an easy, straightforward way to adjust hearing aids at a moment’s notice. Connect this accessory to hearing aids to control volume, change programs, and quickly access favorite features.
Explore Starkey’s innovative selection of wireless accessories here.
5. My Starkey app for better health, hearing, and daily ease
The My Starkey app is a one-stop destination for easier hearing control; improved engagement and activity; and daily convenience—and streaming plays a big part in some of its most impactful features:
Instant sound solutions
Besides allowing us to easily adjust audio as mentioned earlier, streaming is integral to the convenient process of receiving professional sound adjustments anytime, anywhere—using TeleHear or TeleHear AI.
Talk to your hearing care professional about these features, designed to help maintain better hearing wherever we hear.
Exercise guidance
Sound makes learning simpler, particularly when the material involves movement. For example, My Starkey’s Balance Builder exercises offer the option of streaming instructions—so we can focus more on what we’re doing, have greater awareness of when exercises begin or conclude, and so on.
Translating conversations
Streaming is a key component of the Translate feature, which makes spontaneous communication with speakers of different languages easier than ever. With Translate, the words we speak into our smartphone appear as translated text in the other speaker's language. When the other speaker responds, the app translates their response and streams it directly to our hearing aids. How cool is that?
Helpful reminders
Streaming is the new reminding: Why check the phone when scheduled tasks, appointments, and more can be streamed right through our hearing aids? That’s how much more effective reminders can be—when they’re set using the My Starkey app.
And the list goes on.
Learn more about streaming from your hearing care professional
These are just some of the ways streaming can make hearing with hearing aids even better. Your hearing care professional is the best resource for learning more about streaming solutions and the compatible Bluetooth hearing aids that make it all possible. Reach out to your provider today.
Don’t have a hearing care professional yet? We can help. Simply type your zip code in here to generate a list of local hearing providers who will be happy to show you how streaming, paired with the latest hearing technology, can transform your hearing experience and overall living.