How to Use Phone with Hearing Aids: Bluetooth, Speakerphone, and More

Knowing how to use phone with hearing aids can make calls easier, clearer, and less stressful. Today’s hearing aids offer several options for better phone conversations, including Bluetooth streaming, speakerphone, video calls, and text-based tools. The right setup depends on your type of hearing aid, your phone, and your personal comfort.

This guide explains practical ways to handle phone calls with hearing aids so you can stay connected with family, friends, and work.

Start with the Basics: Positioning and Volume

Before trying advanced features, it helps to get the basics right. Small adjustments in how you hold the phone and set the volume can make a big difference.

How to hold the phone with hearing aids

For many people with behind-the-ear (BTE) or receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids, the phone’s speaker should sit slightly above or behind the ear, not directly over the ear canal.

• Tilt the phone so the top edge is near the microphone area of your hearing aid.
• Avoid pressing the phone tightly against your ear; this can cause feedback (whistling) and muffle sound.
• Experiment with small adjustments until voices sound as clear as possible.

Setting the right volume

Turning the phone volume up too high can cause distortion or feedback.

• Start at a moderate phone volume and increase gradually.
• If your hearing aids have a volume control, make small changes there as well.
• If sound is too sharp or loud, try lowering the phone volume and slightly increasing the hearing aid volume instead.

If you’re unsure about the best settings, ask your hearing care professional to program a specific “phone program” in your hearing aids.

Using Bluetooth: Direct Phone Streaming to Hearing Aids

Many newer hearing aids offer hearing aid Bluetooth phone pairing, which can stream calls directly to your ears. This can give clearer sound and reduce background noise during calls.

Check if your hearing aids and phone are compatible

Not all hearing aids connect the same way. Compatibility depends on your specific devices.

• Look for information about Bluetooth or “Made for iPhone” / “Made for Android” on your hearing aid materials.
• Check your phone’s Bluetooth settings and operating system version.
• If needed, ask your hearing care provider or hearing aid manufacturer for a compatibility chart.

How to pair your hearing aids with your phone

The exact steps vary, but the process usually looks like this:

• Turn on Bluetooth in your phone’s settings.
• Open your hearing aid app if you use one, or follow the pairing instructions provided by your hearing aid manufacturer.
• Put your hearing aids into pairing mode (often by turning them off and back on, or using the app).
• Select your hearing aids from the list of available devices on your phone.
• Follow any on-screen prompts to complete pairing.

After pairing, most calls will route directly to your hearing aids. You may be able to adjust volume and sound settings through the hearing aid app during the call.

Tips for better Bluetooth call quality

• Make calls in a quieter room when possible.
• Keep your phone within a reasonable distance (usually within a few feet).
• Keep your phone and hearing aid app updated to the latest software.
• If the sound cuts in and out, try turning Bluetooth off and on again, or restarting your phone.

Speakerphone and Hearing Aids

Using the speakerphone and hearing aids together can work well for many people, especially if you prefer not to hold the phone close to your ear.

When speakerphone works best

• You’re at home or in a private space.
• You have difficulty holding the phone at the right angle to your hearing aid.
• You want to include another person in the conversation (for example, a family member helping with a medical appointment call).

How to get clearer sound with speakerphone

• Place the phone on a solid surface in front of you, not too far away.
• Keep the microphone area of the phone clear—don’t cover it with your hand or papers.
• Reduce background noise, like TV or music, before starting the call.
• If you’re using two hearing aids, make sure both are on and set to your regular listening program.

Assistive Devices for Phone Calls

Some people need extra help beyond standard phone features. Several assistive devices for phone calls can improve clarity and volume.

Amplified phones

Amplified phones look like regular landline phones but can provide much higher volume and clearer sound. Common features include:

• Adjustable amplification for incoming voices.
• Tone control to make speech crisper.
• Extra-loud ringers and flashing lights to signal incoming calls.

Neckloops and streaming accessories

For hearing aids without built-in Bluetooth, there are external accessories that help connect your phone audio to your hearing aids.

• Some devices hang around your neck (neckloops) and transmit sound wirelessly to compatible hearing aids.
• Others clip to clothing or connect directly to the phone.

Your hearing care provider can recommend accessories that are compatible with your specific hearing aids.

Captioned phones

Captioned phones display written text of what the other person is saying on a screen as you talk. They are designed for people with significant hearing loss who still want to use the phone.

These phones can be especially helpful if you find yourself saying “What?” often, even with hearing aids or amplification.

Video Calls for Hearing Loss

Video calls for hearing loss can be easier to understand than audio-only calls because you can see the other person’s face, gestures, and lip movements.

Benefits of video calls

• Visual cues (lip-reading, expressions, body language) support understanding.
• You can adjust your own volume and hearing aid settings while watching the person speak.
• Many platforms (like Zoom, FaceTime, and others) offer live caption options.

Tips for better video call communication

• Ask the other person to sit facing a light source so their face is clear.
• Use a stable internet connection for smoother audio and video.
• Use headphones or hearing-aid streaming when possible to reduce echo and background noise.
• Turn on captions if the platform offers them and they help you follow the conversation.

Text Alternatives for Phone Calls

Sometimes, talking on the phone is still challenging even with hearing aids and assistive devices. In these cases, text alternatives for phone calls can be more comfortable and reliable.

Messaging and text-based options

• Text messages (SMS) for brief updates and quick questions.
• Email for longer or more detailed conversations.
• In-app chat options (through telehealth portals, banks, or customer service apps) when available.

Captioning and relay services

Some services provide real-time captions or relay assistance for calls, depending on your needs and eligibility. These can help you read what the other person is saying during a call, similar to captioned phones or video calls with subtitles.

Practical Tips for Hearing Aid Phone Use

These tips for hearing aid phone use can make everyday conversations more successful, no matter which technology you use.

Before the call

• Move to a quieter room whenever possible.
• Make sure your hearing aids have fresh batteries or are fully charged.
• Tell the caller you use hearing aids and may need them to speak clearly and a bit more slowly.

During the call

• Ask the other person to speak at a steady pace and avoid covering their mouth (for video calls).
• Repeat important information back (like addresses or appointment times) to confirm you heard correctly.
• Don’t hesitate to ask someone to rephrase instead of just repeating the same words.

After the call

• Make a quick note of any recurring problems, like echo, cutting out, or difficulty hearing certain voices.
• Share these issues with your hearing care provider—they may be able to adjust your hearing aid settings or suggest new solutions.

When to Talk with a Hearing Care Professional

If calls are still difficult even after trying Bluetooth streaming, speakerphone, assistive devices, and text options, it may be time to review your hearing and your technology.

• You frequently avoid answering the phone because you expect to struggle.
• You feel exhausted after phone conversations from concentrating so hard.
• Family or friends say they have to repeat themselves often on calls.

A hearing care professional can check your hearing aids, adjust your programs, and recommend devices or strategies tailored to your situation.

Bringing It All Together

Learning how to use phone with hearing aids can take some experimenting, but small changes add up: better positioning, Bluetooth streaming when available, smart use of speakerphone, and the right assistive devices can all improve your experience. Video calls and text-based tools provide additional support when you need them.

With the right combination of technology and communication strategies, most people with hearing loss can stay connected and confident when using the phone.