Can I Use a Hearing Aid on Phone Calls? Bluetooth vs. Non-Bluetooth Explained

Can You Use Hearing Aids on Phone Calls?

Yes, hearing aids can help with phone calls — but how well they work depends on the hearing aid style, whether it has Bluetooth, your phone, and your individual hearing. This article explains the difference between Bluetooth and non-Bluetooth approaches, and what to consider before buying.

How Non-Bluetooth Hearing Aids Work With Phones

Non-Bluetooth hearing aids amplify all sound around you, including audio from your phone’s speaker. They do not connect wirelessly to your phone. Instead, the hearing aid picks up and amplifies whatever sound reaches its microphone.

Common approaches for phone calls with a non-Bluetooth hearing aid:

• Hold the phone near the hearing aid microphone. Experiment with position to find where the sound is clearest without triggering feedback. Do not press the phone hard against the ear or the device.
• Use speakerphone. This projects the caller’s voice into the room, and the hearing aid amplifies it. Speakerphone works best in a quiet environment.
• Increase the phone’s call volume in your phone’s settings or accessibility options.

Results vary depending on the hearing aid style, the phone, and the listening environment. Non-Bluetooth hearing aids do not stream audio directly and cannot eliminate background noise from the phone call.

How Bluetooth Hearing Aid Streaming Works

Some hearing aids include Bluetooth connectivity that allows audio to stream directly from a paired smartphone to the hearing aid, bypassing the phone’s speaker. When this works, the caller’s voice is delivered directly to the hearing aid rather than through the room.

Potential advantages of Bluetooth streaming include reduced interference from room acoustics and the ability to receive audio in both ears if wearing two aids. However, Bluetooth streaming does not guarantee elimination of background noise or a specific level of sound quality. Results depend on the devices involved and the call conditions.

Bluetooth Compatibility Is Not Universal

Bluetooth features vary significantly between hearing aid models. Some hearing aids use Bluetooth only for app-based settings adjustments and do not support phone audio streaming. Others support streaming from specific phone operating systems but not others. Compatibility between a hearing aid and a particular smartphone is not guaranteed.

Before assuming a hearing aid supports Bluetooth phone calls, check the product specifications carefully. Confirm whether the model supports audio streaming (not just app connectivity), and whether it is compatible with your specific phone and operating system.

RKEPIE offers CIC and BTE style hearing aids. For current specifications on any RKEPIE model, refer to the product page or contact support directly. Do not rely on general descriptions of a product category to determine whether a specific model supports Bluetooth phone streaming.

Phone Placement for CIC and BTE Hearing Aids

CIC hearing aids (such as the M602) sit inside the ear canal. When holding a phone to the ear, the phone speaker is naturally positioned close to the hearing aid microphone, which can make traditional phone use reasonably effective for some users. Experiment with phone position to find what works without causing feedback.

BTE hearing aids (such as the M802 or M905) have the microphone positioned behind the ear. Holding a phone to the ear in the standard position may place the speaker away from the microphone. Speakerphone or an adjusted phone position may work better for BTE users without Bluetooth.

For more on CIC vs. BTE differences, see our CIC vs. BTE guide.

Speakerphone, Captions, and Accessibility Features

Several phone features can help hearing aid users on calls, regardless of whether the hearing aid has Bluetooth:

• Speakerphone: Projects the caller’s voice into the room for the hearing aid to amplify. Works best in quiet environments.
• Live captions: Many smartphones offer real-time captioning of phone calls. Feature names and availability vary by phone model, operating system version, and region. Check your phone’s accessibility settings.
• Volume boost: Most smartphones allow call volume to be increased in accessibility or sound settings.
• Caption call apps: Third-party apps that display call transcriptions in real time are available for some platforms. Availability and accuracy vary.

Using Hearing Aids With Landlines

Landline phones work similarly to non-Bluetooth mobile phone use — hold the receiver near the hearing aid microphone and let the hearing aid amplify the sound. Many landline phones include a built-in volume boost feature.

Some landline phones and hearing aids support HAC (hearing aid compatible) or telecoil (T-coil) functionality, which can reduce interference and improve clarity. This only works when both the phone and the hearing aid support the feature. Check the specifications of both devices before assuming compatibility.

What to Check Before Buying

If phone call performance is important to you, check the following before purchasing a hearing aid:

• Does the model support Bluetooth audio streaming, or only app connectivity for settings?
• Is it compatible with your specific phone and operating system?
• Does it support streaming to one ear or both?
• Does it support telecoil or HAC for landline use?

Our hearing aid buying guide covers additional factors to consider. For questions about specific RKEPIE models, contact our support team directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a hearing aid make phone calls clearer?

A hearing aid amplifies sound, which can make phone calls easier to follow for many users. How much it helps depends on the degree of hearing difficulty, the hearing aid style, the phone, and the listening environment. Results vary between individuals.

Do all Bluetooth hearing aids work with all smartphones?

No. Bluetooth compatibility between hearing aids and smartphones depends on the specific devices and operating systems involved. Check the product specifications for your hearing aid and confirm compatibility with your phone before purchasing.

Can I use earbuds alongside my hearing aid for phone calls?

This is generally not practical for most hearing aid styles. See our earbuds guide for more detail.

What if I use a landline?

Non-Bluetooth hearing aids can work with landlines by amplifying the receiver’s audio. HAC-rated phones and telecoil-compatible hearing aids may provide additional benefit if both devices support the feature.

The Bottom Line

Hearing aids can help with phone calls, but how well depends on the hearing aid type, whether it has Bluetooth audio streaming, your phone, and your individual situation. Non-Bluetooth hearing aids work by amplifying phone speaker output; Bluetooth models may stream audio directly if compatible. Check product specifications carefully before assuming any specific feature is supported.

For help choosing the right hearing aid style for your needs, see our hearing aid buying guide.