How to connect your hearing aids to a computer

A common piece of technology found in modern hearing aids is Bluetooth^®, a wireless technology that allows short-range connection between two devices. When implemented in hearing aids, Bluetooth enables users to stream sound directly into their hearing aids as if they were wearing a set of headphones or earbuds. This means that by having hearing aids connect to computer or phone audio, hearing aid wearers can enjoy clearer phone calls and video chats free from distractions. Luckily, the procedure to connect hearing aids to computer audio is simple. Here is a step-by-step guide for how to connect hearing aids to laptop or personal computer audio.

1. Set up your devices to pair: Make sure that Bluetooth capabilities are enabled on your hearing aids to broadcast a signal to your computer. To do this, restart your hearing aids and place them near your computer. 
2. Prepare your computer to connect: Ensure that Bluetooth is ready for pairing on your computer by locating the Bluetooth menu on your device’s settings and making sure that it is turned on.
3. Find your hearing aids on the device: As your hearing aids broadcast the signal that they are ready to pair, they should appear in your device’s Bluetooth menu. Select the hearing aids in the list of detected Bluetooth devices. 
4. Enjoy paired audio: Once your hearing aids are selected from your device’s audio menu, wait for the two devices to connect. Pairing shouldn’t take much time, and there is usually a chime or tone to let you know that it’s happened . 

Remember that this procedure to connect a hearing aid to computer audio might change slightly depending on your specific hearing aid type, brand and model. Additionally, settings might look different on different tech devices, such as attempting to connect Bluetooth hearing aids to laptop audio compared to trying to connect Bluetooth hearing aids to PC desktop computers. Read your product’s user manuals for precise directions—if you don’t have the manual at hand, a quick Internet search of the product name plus “user manual” will generally turn up a digital version.

Need a guide to connect hearing aids to a laptop to a specific brand? Explore below to find a step-by-step procedure for Windows and iOS.

How to connect your hearing aids to a smartwatch

While computers and other personal tech devices are easily connected to hearing aids, getting your smartwatch to work with hearing aids can vary depending on the type of device and its hearing aid compatibility. If you’re still shopping for a smartwatch, be sure to either ask a salesperson or do a specific Internet search to find a fully hearing aid-compatible smartwatch. 

Because hearing aids aren’t always completely compatible with these devices, there aren’t universal “best smartwatches for hearing aids.” However, the basic features of smartwatches must support some connectivity features that hearing aid wearers can use to their advantage. Depending on your smartwatch, your hearing aids could be used for different purposes: If the smartwatch has an A2DP profile, the hearing aid could be used to connect and listen to music. If the smartwatch offers an HFP profile, it could be connected for phone calls. If this is the case for your device, your hearing aid can be adjusted directly from your watch. 

While the technology is still evolving, there are ways to connect your smartwatch to your hearing aids. Explore instructions for pairing smartwatches for hearing aids usage.

How to connect your hearing aids to a tablet

Tablets are great for so many uses—from video calls to checking email to watching videos—and their larger size makes them easier for many people to use. Connecting hearing aids to a tablet can improve your listening experience, especially on calls and when streaming entertainment. To connect a tablet to hearing aids, follow these steps to set up a direct Bluetooth connection. How to connect hearing aids to tablets: 

1. Go to your tablet’s settings and select Bluetooth
2. Ensure that Bluetooth is enabled on your tablet 
3. Restart your hearing aids to set them to pair 
4. Select your hearing aids from the list of available devices 
5. Wait for the devices to connect

Remember that this procedure may look slightly different depending on your device. Explore step-by-step instructions for how to connect your hearing aids to tablets like Apple iPads and Android tablets.