| Bluetooth wireless technology allows wireless | | | | Bluetooth enabled hearing aids. Oticon's newest |
| communication between electronic devices. | | | | hearing aid range is called Epoq. It provides |
| Bluetooth uses short-range wireless radio | | | | wireless binaural communication between the right |
| technology to connect devices to each other, | | | | and left hearing aids to make stereophonic sound |
| generally within a distance of 30 ft. Newer devices | | | | more natural. Integrated Bluetooth technology also |
| may have ranges of over 100 ft. It eliminates the | | | | enables the Epoq hearing aid to get mobile phone |
| need for wires to be connected to all the devices, | | | | reception directly into it. This effectively eliminates |
| making it much easier to operate them. | | | | the need for attached wires, which in the past |
| Although Bluetooth technology has been around | | | | was the only way to provide connectivity. |
| for a while it is now becoming the new standard | | | | The Phonak's Smartlink uses integrated Bluetooth |
| for most electronic devices. For those who wear | | | | technology to enable bi-directional digital link |
| hearing aids the technology provides the ability to | | | | between the hearing aid and a Bluetooth enabled |
| use hands free devices along with the hearing aid. | | | | cell phone. An external audio input or microphone |
| As most hearing aid users know, in the past, | | | | signal can also be transmitted wirelessly via |
| there have been compatibility issues with hearing | | | | Smartlink to the hearing aid by attaching to the |
| aids and devices such as cell phone headsets and | | | | smart interface. |
| iPod ear piece. However, the latest technology | | | | Starkey Laboratories offers the Eli hearing aid, |
| incorporates Bluetooth wireless technology into | | | | which incorporates Bluetooth technology allowing |
| hearing aids, making them compatible with many | | | | communication between hearing aid users, and the |
| Bluetooth enabled devices. | | | | growing assortment of Bluetooth enabled devices |
| Bluetooth enabled hearing aids use this wireless | | | | such as a cell phone. The Eli is the smallest |
| technology twofold. Bluetooth wireless technology | | | | Bluetooth enabled hearing aid on the market. |
| allows for communication between two hearing | | | | Those who are shopping for their first hearing aid |
| aids. This helps to get the most natural hearing | | | | will do well by purchasing one with Bluetooth |
| enhancement possible. The two hearing aids "talk" | | | | technology. No matter what your needs, |
| to each other to make instantaneous | | | | Bluetooth technology is the wave of the future |
| enhancements to improve hearing. Another | | | | and will enable you to connect easily and |
| exciting function of Bluetooth enabled hearing aids | | | | wirelessly with many devices. All of the major |
| is wireless connectivity with other Bluetooth | | | | hearing aid companies are developing their own |
| enabled devices such as cell phones and music | | | | hearing aids that utilize Bluetooth technology. |
| players. This technology is a vast improvement | | | | Working with a hearing health care professional will |
| over hearing aids in the past which were often | | | | ensure that you choose the hearing aid that is |
| incompatible with other devices. | | | | best for you and your specific hearing loss. |
| Several leading manufacturers have developed | | | | |