I just picked up a new pair of Resound Linx today. These are the first Bluetooth capable hearing aids I’ve gotten. I’m just wondering if anyone has had any success pairing a generic bluetooth LE device to these?
I tried it on my laptop and couldn’t get it to work, but I’m thinking maybe that’s just because my laptop doesn’t support bluetooth LE (not sure if it does or doesn’t). I figure if it only works with one ear at a time maybe I can try getting two USB dongles.
Although doesn’t support audio, I’m hearing about some experimentation with driving streaming audio using BLE. I don’t know of any devices. Why BLE? BLE is a subset of regular bluetooth.
Also, you would need an intermediate device, the Resound Phone Clip+, or the TV transmitter, or the mini-microphone. Some Apple products can also transmit directly to the hearing aids.
No, two bluetooth dongles would not be transmitting at the same time.
Although BLE doesn’t support audio, I’m hearing about some experimentation with driving streaming audio using BLE. I don’t know of any devices. Why BLE? BLE is a subset of regular bluetooth.
Also, you would need an intermediate device, the Resound Phone Clip+, or the TV transmitter, or the mini-microphone. Some Apple products can also transmit directly to the hearing aids.
No, two bluetooth dongles would not be transmitting at the same time.
Now that I re-read what I wrote, it is not very clear.
The Linx can connect to certain Apple devices directly, and to Resound devices directly, including the PhoneClip+, the TV Transmitter 2, and Mini-Microphone.
To connect to other devices, like TV and PC, you would have to go through one of the Resound devices. For example, if you have a device with a bluetooth transmitter you can connect to the Phone Clip+.
The TV transmitter is a wired connection to the source device, then it transmits directly to the hearing aids.
The Mini-microphone has a microphone, of course, and a person can clip it to their clothing, or you can connect a wire to it and use it like a portable TV transmitter.
The Linx has a proprietary connection to the Resound devices and to the iPhone. It is probably some variant of bluetooth and it may use some of the technical aspects of , but the Linx does not have a general purpose bluetooth connection that can be used to connect to general bluetooth or BLE devices.
Although BLE doesn’t support audio, I’m hearing about some experimentation with driving streaming audio using BLE. I don’t know of any devices. Why BLE? BLE is a subset of regular bluetooth.
Also, you would need an intermediate device, the Resound Phone Clip+, or the TV transmitter, or the mini-microphone. Some Apple products can also transmit directly to the hearing aids.
No, two bluetooth dongles would not be transmitting at the same time.
Now that I re-read what I wrote, it is not very clear.
The Linx can connect to certain Apple devices directly, and to Resound devices directly, including the PhoneClip+, the TV Transmitter 2, and Mini-Microphone.
To connect to other devices, like TV and PC, you would have to go through one of the Resound devices. For example, if you have a device with a bluetooth transmitter you can connect to the Phone Clip+.
The TV transmitter is a wired connection to the source device, then it transmits directly to the hearing aids.
The Mini-microphone has a microphone, of course, and a person can clip it to their clothing, or you can connect a wire to it and use it like a portable TV transmitter.
The Linx has a proprietary connection to the Resound devices and to the iPhone. It is probably some variant of bluetooth and it may use some of the technical aspects of BLE, but the Linx does not have a general purpose bluetooth connection that can be used to connect to general bluetooth or BLE devices.
Got it - thanks for the info. I watch most of my TV on a PC - looks like there might be a few ways to stream audio from it to the iPhone. I’ll see what I can come up with.
The Linx has a proprietary connection to the Resound devices and to the iPhone. It is probably some variant of bluetooth and it may use some of the technical aspects of BLE, but the Linx does not have a general purpose bluetooth connection that can be used to connect to general bluetooth or BLE devices.
As far I know, it is not a completly proprietary protocol : starting with the version 4.0, the Bluetooth standard includes a second RF protocol called “Bluetooth Low Energy” in addition to the original protocol called “Bluetooth Classic”. The primary intended use for this new protocol was very low data rate communication with various devices.
But Apple designed a protocol to transmit an audio stream using this very low power protocol, and got a patent for it :
The described embodiments include a system for communicating between electronic devices. During operation, a receiving electronic device receives a data channel protocol data unit (PDU) in a link layer of a Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) protocol...
This protocol has been implemented in the Apple devices, but also in recent GN Resound hearing aids. Cochlear plan to support this protocol in its most recent cochlear implant processor CP920 (the HW is ready, but not yet the firmware). At least in the short term, the Apple patent will prevent other smartphones to support this protocol, but maybe in the future other phone makers will get a license to support it …
Does anyone have experience with Resound Linx or Oticon Alta? My audiologist is trying to put me in one of these because i want an aid that enables me to understand tv, use the telephone, and hear the low, soft voices in my family and friends. My hearing loss is greatest in high frequencies, but I also have a mild loss in low. She said I can’t wear , but I have read that it’s possible for people who have some loss in the low frequencies. Any advice would be appreciated.
I’m a big fan of the Oticon Alta, but LiNX is also a good aid. If you have an iPhone, LiNX would be the way to go.
I don’t understand if you only have a mild low frequency hearing loss why your audiologist is saying you can’t wear . Many of the aids can be fit with closed or power domes, so they have fairly wide fitting ranges now.
Hey Marc. Cochlear just got wireless approved for their latest processor, but any Made for iPhone capability has not been released. Is it coming soon? Or do people need to wait for the next version of the processor?
As far I know, it is not a completly proprietary protocol : starting with the version 4.0, the Bluetooth standard includes a second RF protocol called “Bluetooth Low Energy” in addition to the original protocol called “Bluetooth Classic”. The primary intended use for this new protocol was very low data rate communication with various devices.
But Apple designed a protocol to transmit an audio stream using this very low power protocol, and got a patent for it : US20130045684A1 - Audio transfer using the bluetooth low energy standard - Google Patents
This protocol has been implemented in the Apple devices, but also in recent GN Resound hearing aids. Cochlear plan to support this protocol in its most recent cochlear implant processor CP920 (the HW is ready, but not yet the firmware). At least in the short term, the Apple patent will prevent other smartphones to support this protocol, but maybe in the future other phone makers will get a license to support it …
I was experimenting using the latest Panasonic cordless phone with the Phone Clip bluetooth in my wife’s Resound Linx system.
She was able to answer, listen and hang up the phone using the Phone Clip only.
The only problem we ran into was she could hear an irregular clicking sound when I spoke.
I couldn’t hear the clicking sound at my end and her voice was clear.
I returned the cordless phone system to the store.
I’m going to try other phone systems both cordless and corded to see if I can solve the clicking problem.
