The Evolution of Bluetooth Hearing Aid Technology: How Far It’s Come
The Origins of Bluetooth Technology
The Birth of Bluetooth
- Bluetooth got its start in 1994.
Ericsson, a Swedish telecommunications company, wanted to send data wirelessly over short distances so laptops, phones, and headsets could transfer data without cords.
- Bluetooth, named after a 10th-century Danish king, Harald “Bluetooth” Gormsen, wasn’t created for hearing aids in the 90s.
But it did lay the groundwork for future expansion.
The Formation of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG)
- In 1998, Ericsson joined Intel, IBM, Nokia, and Toshiba to form the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG).
It still oversees Bluetooth standards today with help from 30,000+ member companies.
- The SIG made Bluetooth stable, scalable, and easy to integrate into consumer devices.
This helped it expand to everything from fitness trackers to smart speakers to video game controls — and even hearing aids.
- Bluetooth has since become a universal technology, trusted by people and manufacturers around the world.
The Early Days of Bluetooth in Hearing Aids
Bluetooth Classic — the First Bluetooth Audio Standard
- Bluetooth for consumers launched in 1999 with a hands-free mobile headset.
Known as Bluetooth Classic, it supported audio streaming in devices like mobile phones and wireless computer mice.
- Six versions of Bluetooth Classic were released between 1999 and 2009.
Range and bandwidth drastically improved in 2004 with version 2.0, which should have been perfect for hearing aids.
- However, Bluetooth Classic hearing aids created two major problems for users:
High battery drain: Even though earlier versions of hearing aids were much larger than they are today, they couldn't handle the power demands of constant Bluetooth streaming.
Audio delay: Sound often lagged, especially behind video. This made conversations and watching TV and movies frustrating.
- Some workarounds like Bluetooth "streamers" were introduced.
These external devices laid around a person’s neck and sent audio from phones to hearing aids.
But they were inconvenient and bulky.
- So, while Bluetooth Classic hearing aids cracked open the door, more work was needed to kick it wide open.
The Transition to Low-Energy Bluetooth
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) — Power-Efficient but No Audio
- To solve Bluetooth Classic’s challenges, the Bluetooth SIG launched Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) in 2010, which used a different approach than Bluetooth Classic.
- Instead of staying connected all the time, it sent small bits of data, only when needed, which preserved battery life dramatically.
- This worked great for things like step counters and heart rate monitors — but not audio streaming.
This meant hearing aids still had to rely on Classic Bluetooth hearing aid technology for sound.
Made for iPhone (MFi) Hearing Aids — a Breakthrough for Apple Users
- Apple, Inc. solved the hearing aid Bluetooth issue in 2014, introducing a new version of Bluetooth specifically for hearing aids.
It worked with BLE but added audio streaming support.
- These first “Made for iPhone” (MFi) hearing aids allowed for direct streaming from an iPhone without the need for a “streamer” or neck loop.
Benefits included:
- Direct stereo streaming from an iPhone into both ears.
- Longer battery run time than the original Bluetooth Classic.
- No need for intermediate devices or neck streamers.
- The ability to take calls, stream music, and use apps seamlessly and efficiently.
- Apple continued to enhance MFi technology and in 2021, unveiled hands-free calling, although limited.
People could answer calls by tapping their hearing aid but talked into the iPhone speaker.
- In 2023, Apple extended this support to their iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers — a major win for accessibility and convenience.
Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids (ASHA) — a Solution for Android Users
- Unlike iPhone users, Android users had few reliable options for Bluetooth streaming in hearing aids until 2019.
- Google combined forces with GN Hearing to introduce Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids (ASHA) using BLE.
It offered similar features to Apple’s MFi hearing aids system but for Android.
Android users were able to:
- Stream music and calls to their hearing aids.
- Get in-stereo audio in both ears.
- Avoid the battery issues of Bluetooth Classic.
- ASHA was a big step forward in making Bluetooth universal for hearing aids, but it wasn’t an official standard — so support varied across Android phones and hearing aid brands.
The Breakthrough — LE Audio and the Future of Bluetooth Hearing Aid Technology
LE Audio — the New Bluetooth Low Energy Standard for Hearing Aids
- In 2023, the Bluetooth SIG officially launched a Bluetooth improvement, Low Energy (LE) Audio.
It was a complete reimagining of Bluetooth — but with hearing aids in mind.
LE Audio offered several game-changing features:
- Low-power audio streaming that didn’t quickly drain the battery.
- Improved audio quality, even with lower data transmission rates.
- Multi-stream audio, allowing audio to be sent separately to each ear for better in-stereo sound.
- Broadcast audio, where public venues can transmit sound to hearing aids.
- LE Audio also enabled true hands-free calling.
Users could answer calls, talk, and hang up — all through their hearing aids — without touching their phones.
- Most importantly, LE Audio became the universal Bluetooth standard.
That meant that all manufacturers and all devices could support it, setting the stage for a fully connected, wire-free future.
Signia IX LE Audio Hearing Aids – A Next-Generation Solution
This new generation of hearing aids is designed for life in a wireless world.
- Augmented Focus™ technology that enhances speech clarity by focusing on conversation while reducing background noise.
- Bluetooth LE Audio that allows for seamless, high-quality streaming from phones, TVs, and other devices.
- Rechargeable batteries that last all day and remove the hassle of replacing tiny batteries.
People using Signia IX hearing aids report clearer conversations over the phone, smoother TV listening, and faster switching between connected devices.
While LE Audio represents the future of Bluetooth technology, Bluetooth Classic is still widely used—including in many premium hearing aids like Signia’s newest BCT model.
Each version offers unique strengths: Bluetooth Classic provides broad compatibility, while LE Audio introduces new efficiencies and multi-stream capabilities.
Not all hearing aids support LE Audio yet, and compatibility depends on the specific model and device you're connecting to.
It’s best to speak with your hearing care provider about which technology is the best fit for your lifestyle and devices.
The Future Is Bright for Bluetooth Hearing Aid Technology
From the earliest days of Bluetooth Classic to the cutting-edge capabilities of LE Audio, Bluetooth hearing aid technology has come a long way.
And it’s still evolving.
This seamless, high-quality experience now lets hearing aid users stream TV and music, hear more clearly, and take phone calls more effortlessly than ever before.
Hearing aids will only get smarter, faster, and more personalized, letting people hear sound more and more naturally, the way it was meant to be heard.
Sources
A comprehensive Guide to Bluetooth versions (June 5, 2024): https://www.mokosmart.com/guide-on-different-bluetooth-versions/
A little history of Bluetooth: https://www.androidauthority.com/history-bluetooth-explained-846345/
Bluetooth: Creating a better world through connection: https://www.bluetooth.com/learn-about-bluetooth/feature-enhancements/le-audio/
Hearing Tracker: Signia Launches Integrated Xperience (Signia IX) Hearing Aids: New Speech Enhancement Technology for Dynamic Conversations (October 24, 2023): http://hearingtracker.com
