Why Television Streamers Still Lead the Way

Love watching a good whodunit, checking out your favorite YouTuber’s clips, or having the whole crew over for a sports marathon? Connecting your hearing aids to the TV can transform your sound experience — especially with a dedicated television streamer designed just for your devices.

But you may be wondering, “Why should I use a dedicated device if both my hearing aid and TV have Bluetooth®?” Today’s hearing aids offer various ways to link your devices for high-quality audio. We’re breaking down some key differences and explaining why a TV streamer may be the way to go.

Plus, learn about an exciting next-gen technology (Auracast™) that might change the game entirely, providing a future option for clearer sound on your terms.

Comparing Connection Methods

There are a few established ways to connect your hearing aids to your television, each with its own pros and cons. These include Bluetooth, telecoil (T-coil) systems, and dedicated TV streamers. Let’s get into each method.

Bluetooth Compatibility

Direct Bluetooth connectivity might seem like a perfect solution: If your television has built-in Bluetooth or works with an external Bluetooth transmitter, it may appear that you could simply pair your hearing aids directly with the TV and fine-tune the sound through your hearing technology’s app. Quick, easy, and seamless.

But in practice, most Bluetooth hearing aids don’t work directly with TVs. That’s because hearing aids typically use specialized Bluetooth protocols optimized for smartphones — not the standard Bluetooth used in most televisions. Think of it as your TV and hearing aids speaking different Bluetooth languages, often requiring a dedicated TV streamer to translate between them.

Some hearing aids are designed for direct streaming from compatible smartphones and tablets — not televisions — under programs like Made for iPhone® or Made for Android.

And while a limited number of hearing aid models can directly stream from compatible TVs, the experience can come with trade-offs, including audio delay, reduced range, and occasional dropouts. For the most consistent, reliable sound, a hearing aid-compatible TV streamer remains the better option.

Inductive Loop Systems (Hearing Loops)

For hearing aids with T-coil technology, inductive loop or hearing loop systems offer another option. They create a magnetic field that transmits audio directly to your hearing aids, providing a clear and uninterrupted sound. To use a hearing loop with your compatible hearing aids, you activate your T-coil setting to receive the audio signal.

Benefits of hearing loops include clear and direct sound transmission right to your ears and effectiveness against background noise. Though reliable, they’re more likely to be found in public places like theaters, airports, or houses of worship rather than installed in private homes. So accessibility can be an issue.

TV Streamers (Dedicated Television Adapters)

For the best sound quality and performance, a dedicated TV streamer is often the most effective solution. TV streamers are specialized devices designed to connect your television to your hearing aids, offering an improved experience over Bluetooth alone. Some of the benefits of this technology include:

• Better Sound — TV streamers provide better clarity and reliability compared to Bluetooth, ensuring uninterrupted and crystal-clear audio.
• Improved Range and Flexibility — They offer a stronger signal that works over greater distances, ideal for larger rooms or when you’re moving around.
• Custom Features — Some TV streamers offer additional features like noise reduction, volume control, and sound equalization, making it easier to tailor the audio to your hearing needs.
• Wider Compatibility — TV streamers can connect to various types of hearing aids and TVs, potentially even those without Bluetooth.

TV streamers may require an additional purchase and setup process, but their benefits outweigh the initial inconvenience. Once installed, they deliver superior sound quality, a more stable connection compared to standard Bluetooth alone, and advanced features like noise reduction and personalized volume control.

Hearing the Future With Auracast

Auracast broadcast audio, the next evolution of Bluetooth streaming, is set to unlock even greater connectivity. Though not yet widely adopted, it’s expected to expand over the next few years to  more broadly include TVs, smartphones, hearing aids, public-address systems, and more. As Auracast becomes more mainstream, it may redefine what everyday accessible audio means.

Unlike traditional Bluetooth, which connects just one or two devices at a time, Auracast allows one-to-many audio sharing. That means a TV could transmit its audio signal to multiple compatible hearing aids, cochlear implants, earbuds, or speakers simultaneously — no pairing required. It makes shared listening experiences potentially more practical, inclusive, and simple to set up.

As Auracast adoption ramps up, dedicated television streamers remain the gold standard for delivering clear, consistent sound to your hearing devices. Most televisions don’t yet support Auracast, and as of this writing, compatible dongles for retrofitting TVs are still in development, making streamers the most reliable option for personalized, enhanced television audio.

We’re proud to offer a growing number of hearing aids with Auracast-ready capability as they become available. And we’ll continue offering high-performing TV streamers for dependable, customized sound — helping you enjoy every moment with clarity, confidence, and comfort.

Maximizing Connectivity Success

To ensure the best possible experience when connecting hearing aids to your TV, consider a few key factors. From compatibility and signal strength to sound customization, these elements can greatly influence your audio quality. Taking the time to review these considerations can help you avoid issues and enjoy a smoother, clearer connection.

• Hearing Aid Compatibility
  Check whether your hearing aids are compatible with the connection method you plan to use. Some may require specific accessories, such as a TV streamer or hearing loop receiver (T-coil), to connect effectively.
• TV Settings
  Review your TV’s audio-output options. Some setups may need additional accessories, like a Bluetooth transmitter, audio adapter, or dedicated TV streaming device, to work properly with your hearing technology.
• Signal Strength
  Make sure the signal from your chosen connection method is strong enough to maintain clear, consistent audio — especially if you’re moving around or seated at a distance from the TV.
• Sound Customization
  Many hearing-aid-compatible streaming devices offer volume and tone adjustments. Explore these options to tailor the TV audio to your listening needs for greater comfort and clarity.
• Battery Life
  Streaming TV audio can drain your hearing aid batteries more quickly. Be sure to charge your hearing aids beforehand or keep spare batteries nearby for longer viewing sessions.
• Troubleshooting
  Familiarize yourself with the setup and troubleshooting steps for both your hearing aids and any streaming accessories. Having user manuals or quick-start guides on hand can save time if issues arise.

Wondering which TV streamer’s best for your or a loved one’s hearing aids? Not sure what’s compatible with your hearing technology? Our knowledgeable professionals can explain the options, providing the information you need for a more empowered listening experience. Contact our caring team with your questions. We’re HEAR to help!

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The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. The Auracast™ word mark and logos are trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Any use of such marks by Awesome Audiology is under license. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners. iPhone is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries and regions. Android is a trademark of Google LLC.

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