The Future of Hearing Aids and Assistive Listening Devices

Hearing aids have come a long way in recent years, and they’re now more powerful, discreet, and connected than ever. However,  even the most advanced hearing aids perform best when paired with an assistive listening device (ALDs). 

Modern technology now allows seamless streaming from phones, TVs, computers, and even public spaces, often without the need for extra equipment, making it easier than ever to stay connected to the sounds that matter most.

At The Hearing Solution, we help patients combine these technologies for a clearer, more personalized listening experience. Assistive listening devices and hearing aids work together to make listening less of a struggle, whether you are in a busy airport, church, theater, or on a Zoom call. 

Here’s a breakdown of what’s available now and what’s coming soon in assistive listening technology.

Remote Microphones and TV/Computer Adapters: Clear Sound from Any Distance

One of the biggest challenges for those with hearing loss is distance and background noise. Remote microphones solve that by picking up a speaker’s voice directly and streaming it into your hearing aids. The result is clear sound even across a noisy room. 

For at-home entertainment, TV and computer/laptop adapters send the sound straight into your hearing aids. This allows you to enjoy your favorite shows or video calls at your preferred volume level, while others listen at theirs.

If you use Oticon hearing aids, the Oticon Companion app even lets your iPhone act as a remote microphone. Simply go to the application, turn on the remote microphone, place your iPhone near the person you want to hear, and their voice will stream wirelessly to your hearing aids, reducing background noise and improving speech clarity.

An insider tip is to also mute the microphones of your hearing aids in the application, so your hearing aids do not pick up any extraneous noise, just their voice. 

Bluetooth Streaming for Daily Life

Today’s hearing aids often come equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, allowing seamless streaming of phone calls, music, podcasts, and more. Whether you use an iPhone (via MFi) or most new Androids, the sound quality is sharp and convenient. Newer devices, like Oticon’s Intent line, use Bluetooth Low Energy (LE Audio) and are designed to reduce power drain while maintaining a stable, high-quality connection. That means longer battery life and smoother streaming throughout the day.

T-Coil and Auracast: Hearing Better in Public Spaces

Many churches, theaters, and auditoriums still use telecoil (T-coil) loop systems. When your hearing aids are switched to the T-Coil program, they pick up the magnetic signal directly from the venue’s sound system, which sends audio directly to compatible hearing aids. While reliable, loop systems are being gradually replaced by newer wireless technology that’s easier to install and works in more environments.

The next big leap in hearing technology is Auracast, part of Bluetooth 6.0. Auracast enables public venues, such as airports, classrooms, and event centers, to broadcast crystal-clear audio directly to your hearing aids — without any extra equipment. Soon, you’ll be able to walk into an airport and hear boarding announcements streamed straight to your ears.

Auracast builds on Bluetooth LE Audio, meaning many of today’s premium hearing aids are already “Auracast ready.” This innovation is expected to become a global standard, improving accessibility and communication for people with hearing loss everywhere.

Captioning Glasses and Live-Text Displays: The Future of Accessibility

Another exciting development in hearing technology is captioning glasses, which display real-time subtitles of conversations. Products such as XanderGlasses, TranscribeGlass, and XRAI Glass utilize built-in microphones and speech recognition to display subtitles of live conversations directly inside the lenses. These smart glasses can help in meetings, restaurants, or any environment where even the best hearing aids can struggle. While still emerging, they’re a great complement to hearing aids, especially for those with more severe hearing loss. 

The Hearing Solution: Your Partner in Better Hearing

From artificial intelligence hearing aids to cutting-edge assistive devices, the world of hearing care is advancing quickly. At The Hearing Solution, our team stays at the forefront of these innovations to ensure every patient receives personalized, modern hearing care.

If you already wear hearing aids, talk to your audiologist about which assistive listening devices or newer technology could make your daily listening experience easier and clearer.