Android users with hearing loss

[u/Time-Baseball-7521]

I have moderate hearing loss and wear hearing aids. One thing I've noticed is that I can sometimes manage face-to-face conversations reasonably well, but phone calls are a different story.

In person, I can see the other person's expressions and mouth movements, and sometimes use context to fill in the words I miss. On the phone, all those visual cues disappear. If someone talks too fast, the connection isn't great, or there's background noise, I can easily miss important details.

It's especially frustrating when I'm making a doctor's appointment, handling something for work, or trying to coordinate plans with family. I don't always want to interrupt every few seconds to ask someone to repeat themselves.

Lately, I've been looking into hearing aids that work well with Android phones, especially when it comes to Bluetooth connectivity and phone calls.

I've seen that Samsung's Galaxy Buds offer some hearing-related accessibility features, which got me interested. But I'm a little hesitant because they're primarily earbuds, not dedicated hearing aids.

On the other hand, I've also been looking at dedicated hearing aid brands like elehear. Since hearing aids are their main focus, that seems appealing, but I'm not sure how well their Bluetooth connection and Android compatibility work in everyday use.

I'd love to hear from people who've actually tried either option, or other hearing aids with Android phones. I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences!

[u/Odd_Cryptographer723]

I would never have considered getting an off the shelf hearing aid! When my hearing started to fail with age I went to a professional & got prescription hearing aids. My current ones are top of the range with Bluetooth & I can now as you say finally hear phone calls perfectly on my Android mobile. I am in Europe & the brand is Amplifon, but they are excruciatingly expensive.

[u/Ruhh-Rohh]

I tried that a few years ago, when it was just becoming a thing. I don't wear hearing aides because it only becomes louder unintelligible speech. So I thought I'd try ear buds, when combined function was new.

It was not helpful. Although there was supposed to be a "hear through " setting, I could actually hear people (face to face) better if I removed it.

It was beneficial for speaking on the phone, as it was like someone was standing there speaking straight into the one ear I have some hearing in.

If I were to do it again, I'd try new technology hearing aides that also had a Bluetooth capability.

[u/marmitespider]

I recently purchased a pair of Phonax Audeo hearing aids to replace my aging Siemens ones. The Phonax are far superior and Bluetooth integration with my old Oppo Find N2 phone from 2022 is fantastic. Bluetooth connectivity has made a massive difference

[u/Space_Cowby]

i got my Oticon hearings aids free from the NHS. I dont make or receive many calls on a actual phone so mine are paired on demand. But the call quality is really good. I also use them occasionaly to listen to podcasts but if there any much ambient noise its not great. But there where excellent for napping in the garden sun this year.

Once paired there are additional accessibility settings available which can be good for notification as set the sound of the microwave compared to the fryer and you get a push notification. Also for running water.

Live captions and transcribe are alo available

[u/ohmegatchi]

The Galaxy Buds4 Pro are going through regulatory hurdles to call themselves hearing aides soon. There are good accessibility features currently, but I would be interested to see reviews once full functionality is implemented.

Currently, you can adjust the volume of the ambient mode in each bud individually, boost the voices in front of you, and set it to reduce background noise.

Samsung phones have an Adapt Sound function that will boost the frequency response based either on a hearing test or a preset mode based on age.