Made For Android hearing aids are now available. ReSound LiNX Quattro hearing aids are now “Direct to Android”. The Google and ReSound Hearing collaboration means that people with hearing loss can stream sound directly from their compatible Android phones and devices to their ReSound Quattro hearing aids for the first time.The first and currently the only Android phone that streams calls and music to hearing aids without using a streaming device is the Google Pixel 3 or 3a that has been updated to Android 10.
Approximately 466 million people worldwide endure disabling hearing loss. 75% of the world’s smartphone users (2.5 billion) use Android phones and other devices. Prior to this, only iPhone users were able to stream directly to hearing aids.
Made For Android Hearing Aids
With a focus on hearing accessibility, GN Hearing, the parent company of ReSound, together with Google, have announced direct streaming from Android devices to hearing devices for the first time using Bluetooth technology.
The technology is based on a new hearing aid specification, Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids (ASHA) on Bluetooth Low Energy Connection-Oriented Channels, which Google and GN Hearing collaborated on. This new direct streaming technology with compatible Android devices allows people to use their hearing devices to enjoy music, take calls, and more, while using a protocol designed to maximize battery life.
“We’ve partnered up with some of the leading technology companies in the world to deliver innovation with the user at heart. Now people with hearing loss can enjoy effortless streaming all day long and easily connect with people.”
Jakob Gudbrand, CEO and President of GN Hearing (Parent Company of ReSound Hearing Aids),
With the official release of Android 10, Google Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3a, and Pixel 3a XL Smartphones will be the first Android phones to support direct streaming to ReSound LiNX Quattro hearing aids. The new streaming technology will be available by way of an update to Android 10, plus a software update on the hearing devices. The streaming specification is open source, which allows other manufacturers of hearing aids and Android devices to offer direct audio streaming in the near future.
There are many hearing aids that can stream calls and music to an iPhone, but many Americans prefer Android based smartphones. This direct to android technology is a welcome advancement for these users.
To this point, Android’s lack of native hearing aid support has been a common complaint from members of the hearing loss community. While Apple iPhones are generally compatible with most hearing aids, allowing users to stream audio directly to their hearing aid without requiring any intermediary devices, Android’s fragmentation made it harder for hearing aid manufacturers to develop support for Android phones.
“Users with hearing loss will be able to connect, pair, and monitor their hearing aids so they can hear their phones loudly and clearly,” noted Google’s VP of engineering, Seang Chau. “Any hearing aid manufacturer can now build native hearing aid support for Android,” he added.
Question?
How to access to Android sound streaming using your Google Pixel 3 or 3a Smartphone and your ReSound LiNX Quattro hearing aids?
Answer.
If using ReSound LiNX Quattro Hearing Aids, you will receive a notification from ReSound that an update is available for download to your smartphone in the ReSound “Smart 3D app”.
Make sure to update your Google Pixel 3 or 3a to Android 10.
Download the update to your Google Pixel 3 or 3a Android Smartphone.
For more information on ReSound hearing aids, please visit HearSource.com – ReSound Hearing Aids
or call 1-800-416-2434, Monday thru Friday 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time (6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.Pacific)
This Post Has One Comment
I appreciate being able to stream phone calls directly from my Android phone to my hearing aids. Good job ReSound. Also appreciate HearSource for their affordable prices and excellent service.