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Help Hearing aids

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LScottSinger

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iPhones have had the ability to stream audio to hearing aids since 2014. Is Android EVER going to have the ability to do this? If they aren't planning to roll it out by September, I'm ditching Android for iPhone at that time. Why is it so difficult to provide such basic, yet essential functionality?
 
Yes, Androids are Hearing Aid Compatible (HAC). However, they do NOT stream audio to hearing aids and require an intermediary device to do so. iPhones stream phone calls, music and video directly to hearings aids seamlessly and do not require any additional devices.

When will Android phones do that?
 
LScottSinger said:
Yes, Androids are Hearing Aid Compatible (HAC). However, they do NOT stream audio to hearing aids and require an intermediary device to do so. iPhones stream phone calls, music and video directly to hearings aids seamlessly and do not require any additional devices.

When will Android phones do that?
Click to expand...
I'm not familiar with hearing aids at all. But how do they normally receive streamed audio from an iPhone or intermediary device, is it standard Bluetooth, or something patented, secret, Apple only and/or proprietary? Also is this all hearing aids or only certain makes or whatever. Is there any legislation at all?

If it's standard Bluetooth streamed audio, then any phone should work.

EDIT:

Digital Bluetooth hearing aid. :thumbsupdroid:
http://www.made-in-china.com/showro...id-Digital-Psaps-Wireless-Control-by-APP.html
"Bluetooth 4.0", which means it should work with any smart-phone, just like BT headphones would, for music, video etc. as well as phone calls. The thing can even be remotely controlled by an Android or iOS app as well.
 
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There can be advantages using iPhones with some hearing aids but not always, it's a conditional matter. While Apple does include 't-coils' (also referred to as 'telecoils' or 'hearing induction loops') in its iPhones, some but not all Android phones have integral t-coils. A t-coil enabled hearing aid can link up to a t-coil enabled phone just by proximity, which negate the need to rely on Bluetooth. BUT, not all hearing aids have t-coils, a lot of them rely on Bluetooth (and some have both). The fervent and alleged iPhone advantage made by the OP is dependent on a selective situation -- t-coil only hearing aids with non-compliant Android phones.
http://www.nchearingloss.org/telecoil.htm?fromncshhh
 
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A hearing aid that only supports Apple's Airplay? Wonder if that is what the OP is referring to. Although a hearing aid that requires WiFi, may not be such a good idea probably.
 
The hearing aid works with the iPhone by streaming audio (music, phone calls, etc.) via bluetooth (not wifi) directly to the hearing aids. The ONLY thing Android is capable of doing with my hearing aids over bluetooth is controlling the volume of my hearing aids. It cannot stream - period. It REQUIRES an intermediary device that connects to the phone and relays the signal to the hearing aids, which is insane. Why would you develop an app to control the volume of a device (via bluetooth) and not provide the ability to stream audio to that same device?

The intent of this post is to get Android developers off their buts to develop this basic and essential functionality that Apple has had available for more than two years.
 
LScottSinger said:
The intent of this post is to get Android developers off their buts to develop this basic and essential functionality that Apple has had available for more than two years.
Click to expand...

So OK, you have a singular situation with a specific brand of hearing aid that can only work in the Apple ecosystem. That's an aspect more or less tagged as 'vendor lock in', however it's doubtful that a) any Android developers or management will be even reading a posting like this and b) even if there were, devoting development resources are generally put into projects that will suit the most common scenarios, not unique ones.
 
Is this not an 'Android' forum? Perhaps Android developers should be reviewing these forums to find issues they can address that are of concern to their customers. Besides, this issue is bigger than just my brand / style of hearing aid. Mine happens to be one brand of several, and others are or will follow. The fact that developers are a) ignoring direct requests from, or b) dragging their feet [for over two years] to respond to hearing aid companies to develop the capability for hearing impaired people to function in society more easily says something about the Android developer community.
 
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Still, the bottom line is Android's market share numbers worldwide are over 80% as compared to iOS at below 15%. If you were a company making hearing aids would you want your product to be be as universally compatible with as many devices as possible, or restrict your product to work with a select few? Of course when you're dealing with huge numbers of consumers even single digit percentages are significant but whatever the case, tech gadgetry often requires some Googling of compatibility so when you buy products that don't work well together it's not necessarily the fault of others.
Also, and this is why I think 'trolling' is an important word to emphasize, your expectations that Google is responsible for some hearing aid issue seems misplaced. If anything you should be complaining to whomever sold you that hearing aid and/or the hearing aid manufacturer.
 
So apparently the problem with the OP hearing aid is.
439de260061db855c74ca9624672a885.jpg

Yes it sometimes happens with devices, where a particular manufacturer might have an exclusivity agreement with Apple, $$$$, to ensure they only work with iOS. It's known as vendor lock-in. Nobody else dare try to be compatible, because of Apple or exclusive device manufacturer lawsuits and cease-and-desist notices. And Apple has a huge legal department.

The original Nike+ Fuelband was Apple only. A third-party that did try to reverse engineer it were slapped with a cease-and-desist from Nike attorneys. I remember people were howling about it here on AF. Some car systems were like that as well. Some BMW owners weren't too happy about it I think, about their cars being tied to iPhones only.

See also:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Apple_Inc.#Accusations_of_anti-competitive_behavior

He might want to check with the manufacturer I think, and if they say we only work with Apple, and not Samsung, Motorola etc. may have to change brand.

The FDA or FCC might have something to say about it, about device interoperability. But from I've briefly found there certainly are hearing aids that will work with Android devices for streaming music, etc. So what you'd be specifically looking for is a device that supports the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP). Which is an industry wide agreed format for streaming HQ stereo audio between Bluetooth devices. And will work pretty much any smart-phone that has Bluetooth, like Apple, Android, Windows Phone and Blackberry, all seamlessly and no intermediately devices required. :thumbsupdroid:

It certainly sounds like the OP's hearing aid doesn't support A2DP, and only has the standard BT profiles for adjusting volume, etc. plus the Apple proprietary whatever it is. Because if it did have A2DP, it would work with Androids for streaming music no problem. What make hearing aid actually is it? Because it could be worth hearing impaired Android users avoiding the thing. :)
 
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Here is what the manufacturer says, "ReSound LiNX2 hearing aids are Made for iPhone hearing aids, which means they connect with iPhone, iPad or iPod touch devices to make your hearing aids work like Bluetooth stereo headphones."

They also have tried to work with any manufacturer of Android devices, but none have accommodated them to date.
 
LScottSinger said:
Here is what the manufacturer says, "ReSound LiNX2 hearing aids are Made for iPhone hearing aids, which means they connect with iPhone, iPad or iPod touch devices to make your hearing aids work like Bluetooth stereo headphones."

They also have tried to work with any manufacturer of Android devices, but none have accommodated them to date.
Click to expand...

Presumably ReSound have tried to approach say Samsung. asking will you work with us and support us. Samsung says, we can accommodate you, but give us an enormous amount of money first for signing your NDA (Non Disclosure Agreement)

So I think I was right about what they're doing between them and Apple is something proprietary over Bluetooth, and very likely protected by patents, copyright and other intellectual property shenanigans. Rather than using industry standard A2DP, which is used by just about all smart-phones for streaming HQ stereo audio to headphones, speakers, car systems, other hearing aids, etc.

I see the ReSound accommodates and works with Apple Watch as well. Android Wear? Nope, we're not doing that.

I know some of these hearing aids ain't cheap, like thousands of bucks for some of them. But then I know some people can pay stupid amounts of money for glasses, hello Dad! :thumbsupdroid:
 
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Hearing aids are expensive. But they changed my life for the better and were worth every cent I paid to get some of my life back. While streaming music to my hearing aids would be nice, it's probably something I wouldn't use much myself. Even though using headphones is a pain and using ear buds is impossible.
 
I had the same problem as the original poster too. I changed from android to iPhone / iPad etc so that i could stream music / sound to my hearing aids.

Wish android would find a way of doing this with the same functionality of iPhone.
 
evilhomer484 said:
I had the same problem as the original poster too. I changed from android to iPhone / iPad etc so that i could stream music / sound to my hearing aids.

Wish android would find a way of doing this with the same functionality of iPhone.
Click to expand...

As I replied to the OP....
439de260061db855c74ca9624672a885.jpeg

Think you'll have to address this issue with your hearing aid manufacturer. Are you sure it's not A2DP compatible? Which is an industry standard BT profile for playing music and sound to devices.

Sometimes you'll see this marque on products... :thumbsupdroid:

Android-and-Ois-Compatible.png
 
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this is a quote from the manufacturers website...

Please note: Direct stereo streaming, which is available via the iOS platform, is not currently available through Android platforms at this time. Android users can stream stereo audio using the ReSound Phone Clip+ which allows you to connect your ReSound hearing aids to any Bluetooth®-enabled mobile phone.

http://www.resoundpro.com/en-US/compatibility/smartapp

you can stream with it, however you have to have the additional phone clip http://www.resound.com/en-US/hearing-aids/accessories/phoneclip-plus
 
From their product brochure...
hearing aids.jpg



I guess Resound likely partnered with Apple to include something proprietary of theirs into Apple iOS devices, which would otherwise be in this optional extra Resound Phone Clip Plus accessory.

Thing with Android OS, there's literally hundreds of manufacturers, and devices come in all shapes and sizes. Resound could if they wanted partner with say Samsung, and then have certain Galaxy S series phones wouldn't require their Phone Clip Plus accessory, same with HTC, Moto, etc.
 
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Here's the scoop.

There is a "Working Group" for bluetooth which has yet to approve the standard for "BlueTooth" streaming to hearing aids.

In iOS, the BlueTooth connection to the hearing aids is baked into the operating system, separate from other bluetooth devices.

It's really cool, allows direct streaming to hearing aids (like starkey halo 110). Has some minuses (can't stream from my TV or sound equipment. Only works with the phone).

If you are not familiar with the situation that the OP described, don't bother posting. You are clueless about the situation.

The big question is: "Why hasn't the android bluetooth "working committee" gotten off their collective asses and approved a standard for streaming from Android to hearing aids.

Yes, the iOS thing is proprietary to Apple (an advantage to a closed system is that you can do things like that).

Android BlueTooth working Committee, GET OFF YOUR ASS. I'm buying my third apple phone in two years when the iPhone X comes out, purely because it streams to my hearing aids. I was a Samsung guy for 8 years and would like to go back.
 
Bubba77 said:
Here's the scoop.

There is a "Working Group" for bluetooth which has yet to approve the standard for "BlueTooth" streaming to hearing aids.

In iOS, the BlueTooth connection to the hearing aids is baked into the operating system, separate from other bluetooth devices.

It's really cool, allows direct streaming to hearing aids (like starkey halo 110). Has some minuses (can't stream from my TV or sound equipment. Only works with the phone).

If you are not familiar with the situation that the OP described, don't bother posting. You are clueless about the situation.

The big question is: "Why hasn't the android bluetooth "working committee" gotten off their collective asses and approved a standard for streaming from Android to hearing aids.

Yes, the iOS thing is proprietary to Apple (an advantage to a closed system is that you can do things like that).

Android BlueTooth working Committee, GET OFF YOUR ASS. I'm buying my third apple phone in two years when the iPhone X comes out, purely because it streams to my hearing aids. I was a Samsung guy for 8 years and would like to go back.
Click to expand...

Perhaps you might want to address your grievances to the "SAMSUNG Bluetooth working committee".

Just so you know, Android is NOT a company, it's an open source software operating system, and therefore doesn't make phones. Samsung and Apple do make phones, and those are the ones to address hardware compatibility issues.

About your particular make and model of hearing aid.

madeforiphone.jpg

NOTE: "Made for iPhone" NOT "Made for Samsung".

More MFi information here...
https://developer.apple.com/programs/mfi/


 
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Bubba77 said:
Here's the scoop.
<br>
<br> There is a 'Working Group' for bluetooth which has yet to approve the standard for 'BlueTooth' streaming to hearing aids.
<br>
<br> In iOS, the BlueTooth connection to the hearing aids is baked into the operating system, separate from other bluetooth devices.
<br>
<br> It's really cool, allows direct streaming to hearing aids (like starkey halo 110). Has some minuses (can't stream from my TV or sound equipment. Only works with the phone).
<br>
<br> If you are not familiar with the situation that the OP described, don't bother posting. You are clueless about the situation.
<br>
<br> The big question is: 'Why hasn't the android bluetooth 'working committee' gotten off their collective asses and approved a standard for streaming from Android to hearing aids.
<br>
<br> Yes, the iOS thing is proprietary to Apple (an advantage to a closed system is that you can do things like that).
<br>
<br> Android BlueTooth working Committee, GET OFF YOUR ASS. I'm buying my third apple phone in two years when the iPhone X comes out, purely because it streams to my hearing aids. I was a Samsung guy for 8 years and would like to go back.
Click to expand...


You mean A2DP? Because every single Android phone I've encountered (flagships and top midrangers at least) all support A2DP. Which is also why the vast majority of Bluetooth headsets also work with Android.


It's not Android's fault really why it's not compatible with your hearing aids. It's your hearing aid company who chose to not support Android.
 
chanchan05 said:
You mean A2DP? Because every single Android phone I've encountered (flagships and top midrangers at least) all support A2DP. Which is also why the vast majority of Bluetooth headsets also work with Android.


It's not Android's fault really why it's not compatible with your hearing aids. It's your hearing aid company who chose to not support Android.
Click to expand...

Everyone who's been howling in this thread, these are all Made for iPhone products. MFi is an Apple licensing scheme where basically companies pay a lot of $$$ to Apple, sign draconian NDAs, and in return Apple gives them access to their proprietary secret technologies that's only in Apple hardware, e.g. hearing aid mode in iPhones. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201466

So maybe certain hearing aid manufacturers should get of their "collective asses", and embrace established industry standards instead, such as Bluetooth A2DP for streaming, and work with Android device manufacturers like Samsung, etc.
 
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