Bluetooth is a wireless technology that connects many everyday devices, such as headsets, smartphones, laptops, speakers - and hearing aids. Bluetooth technology allows us to send data like photos, music, videos and voice without needing cables.

There are three main types of Bluetooth, each with its own features and applications.

LE Audio: is the newest version. It combines the benefits of Bluetooth Classic and Bluetooth Low Energy with reduced power consumption, and great audio quality.
It is designed for audio and lets Oticon hearing aids connect directly to compatible Android® phones, tablets and windows PCs

Bluetooth Low Energy: This uses less power than Classic Bluetooth and is used for data transmission. Versions from Apple, Android, and Oticon allow for audio streaming as well. This is how Oticon hearing aids connect to Apple and Android devices.

Bluetooth Classic: This is the original version, mainly used in headsets, controllers, and older phones. Oticon hearing aids do not use this type.

Classic Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy technology protocols cannot talk to each other. This is why Oticon hearing aids cannot communicate directly with many widely available devices that use Classic Bluetooth.

Furthermore, the standard Bluetooth Low Energy protocol is designed for data transmission only. For this reason, Apple, Android and Oticon have all developed their own Bluetooth Low Energy protocols to also be able to transmit audio - as well as other data formats.

LE Audio is a new development specifically designed for transmitting sound between hearing aids and devices. It offers exciting possibilities for seamless integration in the future, combining low power consumption with great audio quality.

How do Oticon Bluetooth hearing aids communicate with other mobile devices?

Bluetooth Low Energy is already used in Apple’s mobile products such as the iPhone, which makes it possible to stream audio directly from iPhone, iPad, and Mac to all Oticon Bluetooth hearing aids – be it phone calls, music or any other sound. The sound streaming is supported by Apple’s hands-free communication protocol.

Many Android phones support Android ASHA (Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids) protocol and newer models also support LE Audio, meaning they can directly stream sound to compatible hearing aids. Click here to see which Android devices support direct streaming to Oticon hearing aids.

If you have the latest Oticon hearing aids that support LE Audio but lack and LE Audio compatible device, you can use the Easy LE Adapter. Simply plug the Easy LE Adapter into a USB-C device like an Android phone, tablet, or PC to enjoy all the latest LE Audio benefits. Most phones that have a 3.5 mm audio jack built into them will not support the Easy LE Adapter, as some phone manufacturers choose to route the audio through the jack port rather than the USB-C port.

Click here to view how to connect the Easy LE Adapter to your phone, tablet or PC

However, most Android devices still support only Classic Bluetooth wireless technology. As this technology consumes much more power, Oticon hearing aids do not use it - which means direct streaming from the non-ASHA phones is not possible. This is where Oticon ConnectClip comes in handy!

ConnectClip is a device that wirelessly connects your mobile phone (Android or iPhone) to your Oticon Bluetooth hearing aids. As ConnectClip features both Classic Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy, it can speak to both the hearing aids and the devices that only have Classic Bluetooth technology. Communication between the two devices then becomes possible.

It also offers two-way audio, meaning it can stream your voice back to your phone. This two-way connection means you can enjoy the comfort of having hands-free phone calls with friends and family.

ConnectClip is also helpful when you need to listen directly to someone’s voice - in a crowded or noisy environment, for instance. In this case, ConnectClip works as a small remote microphone that is worn by your conversation partner. ConnectClip captures their voice and streams it directly into your ears through your hearing aids.

If you would like to learn more about the possibilities of connecting your hearing aids to the devices in your life, including your phone and television, then please follow this link to read our blog post about Oticon connectivity.