Can you wear headphones with hearing aids?

If you’ve recently learned that you need hearing aids, it might seem impossible to continue to wear headphones as you once did. However, thanks to recent advancements in hearing aids and the help of Bluetooth technology, hearing aids and headphones can successfully be worn together to enjoy music and TV audio. While users might have to try a few options to find the right listening combination with their hearing aids, finding headphones for the hard-of-hearing has never had so many possibilities. 

Headphones to listen to music, watch TV or make calls

Just as important as considering how your hearing aids might affect your headphone-buying decision is evaluating how you plan to use the headphones. Will you be listening to music, watching TV, talking to friends and family, or using them for other audio streaming? 

Different headphones are designed for different purposes and it’s important to consider how the specific features of each model will meet your needs. There is no magic bullet solution for each type of audio usage. That’s because your headphones depend entirely on you: your comfort, your hearing needs, your usage and your preferred fit. Some headphones are specifically designed for people with hearing loss. However, regular brands and styles can also be used to function as  headphones for hearing impaired people to listen to music or watch TV. Read reviews of the products to learn how others use them and determine if they are the right fit for you. 

Wireless vs. Bluetooth headphones: Which is better?

One factor to consider as you choose your headphones is how they connect to the sound you want to hear. Wireless headphones for hearing impaired people, as well as hearing aids and Bluetooth headphones, can both be successful ways to connect to your devices. Modern headphone technology often includes either wireless or Bluetooth capabilities, but what do each of these options entail? 

Headphones work by amplifying an audio signal that is transmitted to the headphone through a cable or Bluetooth connection. Both wireless and Bluetooth headphones connect sound between the device and your headphones without the use of a cable, but each streams audio in different ways. 

• In the case of wireless headphones, sound is transmitted through low-powered radio signals, infrared, internal memory or KleerNet. They usually have high sound quality and a strong connection, but don’t have a great connection range, aren’t compatible with every device and aren’t the easiest to use.
• Bluetooth, on the other hand, uses short-range radio waves to transmit audio signals. These headphones have great range, can connect to multiple devices and have Bluetooth-hearing aid-compatible features, but can have lower sound quality than wireless headphones.

When comparing Bluetooth vs. wireless headphones, there is no clear winner for best product for hearing aid wearers. Instead, it’s important to think about how your hearing aids might interact with the product, your potential uses for the product and your technology capabilities. This will look different for every person, but these considerations are helpful steps to determine what actually works for you. 

Can you use headphones as hearing aids?

The short answer is no, using Bluetooth headphones as hearing aids is not recommended. If you already own in-ear headphones, it may seem like a convenient fix to use Bluetooth headphones as hearing aid replacements instead of investing in hearing aids. However, there are several reasons why earbuds and headphones shouldn’t be used to treat your hearing loss: 

• Earbuds aren’t FDA-approved: Earbuds are technically considered PSAPs (personal sound amplification devices), which should only be used to accentuate sounds in certain settings. They aren’t approved by the FDA to address hearing loss issues. 
• Earbuds do not have microphones: Therefore they can only transfer sound that is sent directly from a connected device. 
• Earbuds don’t help with severe hearing loss: Like other PSAPs, earbuds could be useful for people with very mild hearing loss, but they cannot properly amplify sound to address more severe cases of hearing loss. 
• Earbuds can damage your ears: Because earbuds deliver sounds directly to the ear canal, they can cause more damage to your ears if the volume gets too loud. Additionally, these devices can push earwax further into your ears and cause hearing blockage. 
• Earbuds aren’t customized: When you choose your hearing aids, your devices will be customized to fit both your unique ear shape and hearing loss needs. Earbuds usually come in a one-size-fits-all pattern and are bought over-the-counter, meaning that they will not fit perfectly in your ears, sit comfortably for hours as needed or properly adjust to allow you to hear most effectively. 

Headphones and earbuds can amplify sounds and help hearing in some situations, but only hearing aids are proven to effectively treat hearing loss. Using Bluetooth headphones as hearing aid replacements won’t be as useful as a device chosen with the help of a licensed HCP and fitted to your ears and needs. Your headphones can be a great addition to enjoy your favorite sounds when used in conjunction with hearing aids, but Bluetooth headphones as hearing aids on their own shouldn’t be used in place of specifically designed devices for hearing loss.

Can you use Apple AirPods as hearing aids?

With the recent rise in popularity of small personal earbuds, it may seem enticing to replace your hearing aids with a pair of Apple Airpods that you already own. However, as with other headphone and earbud styles, using a pair of Apple AirPods Pro as hearing aids is not recommended. While the newest iterations of the product contain features like noise-canceling, head-tracking sound and audio transparency, these tools only amplify sound around the wearer and don’t actually address underlying problems. In short, replacing Apple AirPods as hearing aids won’t properly treat your hearing loss. 

For some people with hearing loss, wearing Apple AirPods as hearing aid support or as assisted listening devices can be a successful way to connect with loved ones and use this modern technology. When paired with your smartphone or other personal device, the noise-canceling and outside noise-masking features can be effective in helping you focus on listening to music or enjoying a phone call without the disruption of background noises. Additionally, volume-boosting technology can help amplify sounds in a given area around you.

Explore your devices’ setting to learn more about accessibility features and how to pair your AirPods with your technology devices to connect and amplify sounds. Despite your devices’ capability for using Apple AirPods Pro as hearing aid support, it is only useful in certain settings and use cases. Remember that using Apple AirPods as hearing aids replacements isn’t a recommended way to treat your hearing loss. 

Wearing hearing aids shouldn’t mean that you have to accept a sub-par experience in  listening to music, enjoying your favorite TV shows or talking to loved ones through headphones. By choosing  headphones that meet your hearing loss needs and fits with your hearing aids, you can comfortably listen to the sounds that enhance your life. If you have questions about how to choose the right headphones for you, schedule an appointment at your local Miracle-Ear to speak with an HCP.