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Bluetooth Horrible always?

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In reply to @AlexE

@AlexE said:

The Signia also don’t connect well in large open spaces (walking the dog up the hill), but my early Phonak had the same issue. I had to move either my watch or phone to my chest pocket for one section of the walk.

So for better reception, I would suggest as clear and short line of sight between your device and hearing aids. Also hard reflective surfaces seem to help (walls) if they are not between you and the source.

This was a common problem with running watches (Garmin, Fitbits etc) connecting to Bluetooth earbuds. Outside Bluetooth does not have the reflective surfaces (as you say walls etc) to bounce the Bluetooth signals from the watch to the earbuds and so there were many forums where people checked which side primary earbud Bluetooth receiver was on so you could match that to which wrist you wear the watch.

Modern Bluetooth (5.3 - I think - and onwards) + True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds address this so both earbuds can connect directly with the phone/watch and with better range.

I have no idea whether hearing aids are using TWS and Bluetooth 5.3+? Hopefully they are?

My Airpods Pro 2’s (with hearing asistance) connect seamlessly with multiple Apple (and non Apple devices eg Garmin watches) and switch to the one I am using.

My hearing aids (Eargo 7’s) don’t have Bluetooth - which is fine for their form factor. For life, video calls, phone calls (I can use the phone/computer/car speakers and mics) etc I don’t need it.

When I do need Bluetooth for streaming / hands-free I will use the Airpods Pro 2’s

It does seem from comments here there are many more problems than there should be with the Bluetooth connections between hearing aids and phones. My iPhone 11 Pro (not the latest Bluetooth), iPad, Garmin watch all have no issues with multiple TWS earbuds.

I have been wear aids for 20 years. My first 2 sets didn’t have any type of connectivity and no controls. Just the single program and no volume adjustments.
I choose my aids for being able to understand conversations in my everyday life. I seldom have phone calls to deal with all my family and friends text anymore. I do love streaming audiobooks and sometimes music. Bluetooth for me with my Oticon INTENT1 aids and my Samsung S23 phone is great. I also have the connect clip for streaming from my Fire tablet. Older laptop, and Android tablet. Could I survive without Bluetooth connectivity, yes I could as I have done so for countless years, do I want to live without Bluetooth, of course not.

I have Unitron Vivante 5 and I don’t have any problems with Bluetooth. My hearing aid are connected to my IPhone.

I know exactly what you mean. My iPods pro 2, flawless. Great call quality, don’t need to worry about what pocket my phone is in, music sounds great and the noise reduction & cancellation capabilities are astounding. I synced my and they work great as hearing aids. Only problem is battery life. They can’t go more than about 4-6 hours without needing to go in the case to charge for a bit. My Starkey Genesis 24s? Great hearing aid quality sound, poor music quality (even with full domes in), and the Bluetooth LE is touchy when inside, but absolutely abhorrent if you’re outside. Unusable for streaming. Phone call quality is also lacking and need to use my phone for the mic. If Apple made all-day batteries for the iPods Pro, I’d choose those, even though I’d look dorky wearing them everywhere.

I recently got Jabra behind the ear hearing aids from Costco. They sounded pretty good but wouldn’t properly pair. The audiologist said it was because my 3 year old phone was too old. I didn’t buy it because I’d get Bluetooth through one ear or the other but not both. I also couldn’t open the app to make adjustments even though my phone said it found both aids. The audiologist was able to get me connected twice after about an hour of trying but it would only last about a day. I complained to the audiologist and online and I think someone heard me. On 12/23 my doorbell suddenly talked through both ears. So, I tried once again to hook up to the app. It worked easily and has stayed paired since. Today is 1/1. With a minor tweak of the clarity, noise reduction and volume I am thrilled with the sound. I even heard leaves rustling. Music through the aids is very satisfying as is most people’s speech. I’ve been wearing aids for about 20 years. This is my 4th set (plus a very well-advertised pair that I returned after a few weeks). Bluetooth has been around a long time. There’s no acceptable excuse for it not to work. I can see not being able to adjust through the apps, but Bluetooth should work.

Re Bluetooth for work and connectivity issues… I have Phonak Paradise aids and an iPhone. After many issues and testing I came to understand most of the problems I was having were due to other Bluetooth devices trying to ‘grab’ the connection with my aids… and some devices are ‘grabbier’ than others. Now I manually connect and disconnect Bluetooth on devices to move between PC, TV, iPhone, car stereo etc. If I’m not using a device with my , I turn Bluetooth off on it by default.
Re sound quality - generally good, but from my new TV so good I have to check sound is only in my ears and not blaring throughout the house :joy: Range is good too.
Possibly my experience is affected by having a device which I suspect impacts Bluetooth, although Audi/S seem to not really understand very well.

Sorry, you didn’t say what’s wrong with Bluetooth hearing aids. What hearing aids have you tried??

The age of an Android phone isn’t all that important. It needs to support , though, and it is best for the phone to be on the ’s compatibility list.

Search on ‘jabra phone compatibility’ (no quotes) for the list.

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