BALLERUP, DENMARK – A little over a year after announcing a partnership with Google to bring the “full spectrum of direct audio streaming from Android devices to hearing aids”, GN Hearing and Google today announce world-first support for direct streaming from Android™ devices to hearing devices using Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE).
This will make GN Hearing the first manufacturer to provide this capability for Android devices, one that was previously only available to iPhone users.
Cochlear, which collaborates with GN as part of its Smart Hearing Alliaince, will also be bringing the capability to wearers of its compatible implant devices.
Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids Using Android Phones
The new technology is based on a recent hearing aid specification, Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids (ASHA) on Bluetooth Low Energy Connection-Oriented Channels, which Google has developed in collaboration with GN Hearing and Cochlear.
“We’ve partnered up with some of the leading technology companies in the world to deliver innovation with the user at heart. Now people with hearing loss can enjoy effortless streaming all day long and easily connect with people”
–Jakob Gudbrand, CEO and President of GN Hearing
This new direct streaming technology from compatible* Android devices allows people to use their hearing devices like a headset to enjoy music, take calls and much more, while using a protocol designed to maximize battery life.1-2
With BLE, people can use technology designed for streaming all day while preserving the battery life of their hearing devices, which may be more challenging using traditional Classic Bluetooth streaming technology.
What Android Phones are Compatible?
The new streaming technology will be available by way of an update to Android 10, plus a software update on the hearing devices. The streaming specification is open source, which allows other manufacturers of hearing aids and Android devices to offer direct audio streaming in the near future.
With the official release of Android 10, Google Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3a, and Pixel 3a XL* will be the first Android phones to support direct streaming to ReSound LiNX Quattro (including custom models) and Beltone Amaze hearing aids.
Source: Google, GN, Cochlear
Since the BLE is supported in the Resound Linx3D, can we assume that these will work with Androids that have version 10 software?
It’s too bad that no mention is made of the Phonak Marvel that also streams directly to hearing aids. How does that differ from this?
Direct streaming will most likely damage hearing further. There is no way a wearer can anticipate loudness levels to control this vital issue.