TV Streaming Options for Modern Hearing Aids

Today's hearing aids offer seamless TV streaming capabilities that can significantly improve your viewing experience. Many people struggle to hear television dialogue clearly, often increasing the volume to levels that disturb others in their household. Modern hearing aids solve this issue by streaming audio directly from your TV to your hearing aids.

Television audio presents unique challenges for people with hearing loss. Modern TV speakers are often small and rear-facing due to thin screen designs, directing sound away from viewers. This can make dialogue unclear as sound bounces off walls and furniture before reaching your ears. Additionally, background music, sound effects, and scene changes create complex sound environments where speech can become lost or muddled.

The audio mixing in many TV shows and movies compounds these difficulties. Action sequences tend to be loud while dialogue scenes are quieter, requiring constant volume adjustments. Different actors speak at varying volumes and pitch levels, and accents or fast-paced dialogue can be particularly challenging to follow. Traditional solutions like closed captioning help but can detract from the visual experience of your favorite programs.

Understanding TV Streaming Technology

TV streaming with hearing aids works through wireless connectivity, allowing the audio signal to transmit directly from your television to your hearing aids. This direct connection bypasses room acoustics and background noise, providing clear sound at your preferred volume level while others can listen at their comfortable volume.

When you stream TV audio to your hearing aids, you're receiving the pure digital signal before it's affected by room dynamics or TV speaker limitations. This means dialogue remains crisp and distinct from background sounds, eliminating the acoustic challenges of sound reflecting off walls or being muddled by furniture. The digital signal processing in your hearing aids can then optimize this audio specifically for your hearing loss pattern, enhancing frequencies where you need more support.

Most modern TV streaming systems also offer smart features that automatically balance audio levels. This helps manage the varying volumes between action sequences and quiet conversations, reducing the need for constant manual adjustments. You can fine-tune the mix between TV audio and environmental sounds, allowing you to maintain awareness of your surroundings while enjoying improved dialogue clarity. This dual-input capability means you won't miss important conversations or sounds in your environment while watching TV.

The separation between the TV speakers and your personal audio stream creates a more harmonious viewing environment for everyone. Family members can set the TV volume at their preferred level without compromising your listening experience. This independent volume control often leads to more enjoyable shared viewing experiences and can help reduce tension around TV volume settings.

Latest TV Streaming Options By Brand

Phonak Infinio

The Phonak TV Connector streams TV audio directly to Phonak Infinio hearing aids. This accessory creates a simple plug-and-play solution that works with most televisions. The Infinio platform uses Bluetooth 5.3 technology for stable, high-quality audio streaming. You can adjust the streaming volume independently through the myPhonak app or the hearing aids themselves.

Widex Moment

Widex Moment hearing aids, including the new SmartRIC model, integrate TV streaming capabilities through their TV-Play accessory. The system delivers clear audio directly to your hearing aids while maintaining the option to hear environmental sounds, perfect for watching TV with family or friends.

ReSound Nexia

ReSound Nexia hearing aids feature compatibility with the TV-Streamer+, enabling direct audio streaming from your television. The system takes advantage of Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast broadcast audio technology, providing low latency streaming with minimal battery consumption.

Oticon Intent

Oticon Intent hearing aids incorporate Bluetooth LE Audio technology for TV streaming. This next-generation connectivity allows for direct streaming from various devices, including your television. The 4D Sensor technology helps optimize the streaming experience based on your movement and listening environment.

Starkey Genesis AI

The Genesis AI hearing aids connect to TVs through Starkey's TV streaming accessory. The streaming function can be managed through the MyStarkey App, allowing you to adjust streaming volume and balance between TV audio and environmental sounds.

Signia IX

The Signia IX offers TV streaming capabilities that integrate with their wireless accessories. The system provides reliable connectivity and can be controlled through their user-friendly mobile app for personalized listening experiences.

Benefits of TV Streaming

Clear Dialogue

• Direct streaming helps separate speech from background music and sound effects, making it easier to understand dialogue in movies and TV shows.

Personal Volume Control

• You can adjust your streaming volume without affecting the TV's speaker volume, perfect for family viewing situations.

Reduced Echo

• Direct streaming eliminates the delay between the TV sound and what you hear through your hearing aids, preventing echo effects that can occur with some wireless systems.

Room Freedom

• Many TV streaming systems allow you to move around your room while maintaining clear audio, giving you freedom to perform other tasks while listening to your programs.

Maximizing Your TV Streaming Experience

Optimal Setup Tips

• Position your TV streaming device according to the manufacturer's instructions
• Keep the streaming device away from potential interference sources
• Update your hearing aid firmware regularly through your hearing care professional
• Use your hearing aid app to save preferred TV listening settings

Battery Management

When streaming TV audio, your hearing aid batteries may drain more quickly than during regular use. Most modern rechargeable hearing aids, like those mentioned above, provide sufficient battery life for several hours of streaming. Consider charging your hearing aids when not in use to ensure they're ready for your favorite programs.

Making The Most of Your Settings

Sound Balance

• Find the right balance between TV audio and environmental sounds. This allows you to remain aware of your surroundings while enjoying your programs.

Program Settings

• Work with your audiologist to create custom programs specifically for TV watching. These can be optimized for different types of content, such as news programs, movies, or sports broadcasts.

Real Ear Measurements Matter

• When we fit hearing aids, we use Real Ear Measurements to verify the programming matches your unique hearing needs. This precise fitting method helps ensure optimal performance for all listening situations, including TV streaming.

Schedule Your Hearing Aid Consultation

If you're interested in experiencing better TV listening with modern hearing aids, we can help. Our audiologists will demonstrate the latest TV streaming options and help you choose the solution that best fits your lifestyle and hearing needs. Contact us to schedule an appointment and discover how new hearing aid technology can enhance your television viewing experience.