Hearing Aid Apps for Android

The right hearing aid can have a hugely positive impact on a user’s quality of life. For many, these personal devices are already indispensable – but backed by the right hearing aid app, the benefits they offer can be even greater.

While there are many types of hearing aids that can connect to an iPhone, there are also many Americans out there who aren’t too fond of Apple’s flagship handset. If you are an Android user, fear not: for every iPhone hearing aid app, there’s a hearing aid app for Android, too.

According to our research, the Signia touchControl app and the Eargo app are two of the best hearing aid apps for Android phones, based on ease of features, available features, and review scores from the Google Play Store.

Best Hearing Aid Apps for Android

These are the best heading aid apps for Android phones:

• Signia touchControl App – Best all-round hearing aid app for Android phones
• Eargo – Best for personalization and fine-tuning
• MDHearing – Best cheap app
• myPhonak – Best for simplicity with no intermediary
• MyLively – Best for modern features
• Starkey TruLink – Best for automation with auto-switching programs
• Resound Smart 3D App – Best for wide connectivity
• Oticon ON App – Best for smart home integration

Additionally, many of these apps connect to Bluetooth hearing aids, but others communicate with the hearing aid via high-frequency sounds or tones. Make sure to check before you make a decision for yourself.

Signia touchControl App

Average Rating: 3.6/5 (19,446 Ratings)

The Signia touchControl app is especially popular due to its simplicity and user-friendly design. It generates high-frequency control signals which allow control of Siemens hearing aids without an intermediary device. Features include:

• Switch between saved programs
• Easy volume adjustments
• Audio balance adjustments
• Tinnitus manager
• Adjust span and direction of microphones
• Check battery status

The app’s full functionality can be achieved by having your device configured by a hearing care professional with a better understanding of how hearing aids work. The user can then adjust various parameters within a range which still ensures maximum benefits.

The touchControl App is compatible with any Android device running Android 4.0 or higher.

Eargo

Average rating: 3.4/5 stars (68 ratings)

Eargo is another newcomer to the hearing aid industry, but again, that shouldn't hold you back from exploring what it can offer you to address your hearing loss concerns. Particularly considering the device can be found on Time magazine's Best Inventions of 2018 list.

Eargo hearing aids — and subsequently the Eargo mobile hearing aid apps for Android and iPhone — are all about customizability. You can fully personalize your experience with technology that is custom engineered by an Eargo hearing professional. Eargo have some of the easiest tutorials in the business, so you'll have no problem getting set up all on your own. Plus, with a wireless charger, you'll never have to worry about battery life ever again. Other features include:

• Customizable menu options
• Comprehensive battery status checking
• Easy access to FAQs and Guides
• Live chat with Eargo professionals

Arguably the most valuable aspect of Eargo, however, is the ability to order directly from your home without needing an in-person consultation. During a global pandemic, the ease of simply ordering online or over the phone and received your hearing aid cannot be understated. And with a 45-day money back guarantee, there's nothing to worry about. Plus, Eargo hearing aids are incredibly well-built and are constantly being upgraded, which means the app will likely follow suit in the near future.

MDHearing

Average Rating: 4.1/5 (237 ratings)

Affordability is hard to come by when you're talking about hearing aids, but MDHearing wants to change that. Not only are its device some of the most affordable on the market, but they're also easily customizable, with personal and remote fitting options for your convenience.

The app offers simple, easy-to-use interface combined with audiologist-powered assessment features to make sure you're hearing right. Other features include:

• Four audio settings that enhance sounds
• Feedback cancellation, which means no whistle near other hearing aids
• Highly-responsive audiologist-trained user support
• 100% money-back guarantee within the first 45 days

Perhaps most convenient of all, MDHearing offers US-based support with on-call, audiologist-trained specialists, who average a 5- to 10-minute response time. The MDHearing support team walks customers through every step of the set-up process and answers any questions they have, which can be very helpful if this is your first time using hearing aids.

myPhonak

Average rating: 2.7/5 (4,219 ratings)

As far as hearing aid apps for Android go, this is probably one of the most loved due to the fact it operates without an intermediary.

The myPhonak app replaced the old Phonak Remote app, allowing for improved control and flexibility for the many Phonak hearing aids available on the market. Using Bluetooth connectivity, you'll be able to control volume, change programs, and change advanced settings all from the simple Android app.

The app has a great demo mode to get you started, with features including:

• Individual volume control for both ears
• Directly stream music and calls
• Directional microphone control
• Default and customizable programs

Unique to myPhonak, the app offers a new Enhanced Speech Focus feature, which allows users to customize the noise cancelling feature, making it as easy as possible to understand others when they're speaking.

My Lively

Average rating: 3.4/5 stars (34 rating)

A newer entry into the hearing aid industry, Lively hearing aids are filled with modern features designed to address hearing loss, including an incredibly helpful and easy-to-use mobile app, the My Lively app.

My Lively has a wide range of standard features as far as a hearing aid app is concerned, allowing you to fine tune your device to fit your particular needs. Along with these features, My Lively is unique in that it allows you to troubleshoot any problems or concerns with an audiologist directly on the app. No more costly appointments or timely commutes; just utilize Timely Assist and you'll be on your way to a better hearing experience. Other features include:

• Easy muting and volume control for hearing aids
• Personalized program settings
• Adjustable treble, middle and bass tones
• “Find my hearing aid” feature for lost devices

As even the Google Play Store will admit, the My Lively app can be a notable battery drain on your smartphone, and reviews are sparse as its a newer entry into the field. However, new isn't always bad, and the few reviews around the internet have lorded the My Lively app as incredibly easy to use, which is what you're looking for with something as necessary as good hearing.

Starkey TruLink

Average rating: 3.3/5 (490 ratings)

The Starkey TruLink app is an upgrade on the T2 Remote app, which had very basic volume and memory control functions and used tones rather than Bluetooth connectivity.

This upgrade comes with a wide range of helpful tools, including the new TruLink Remote, which allows users to control memory and volume, mute your hearing aids and turn other special features on and off. Unfortunately, unlike its iPhone counterpart, the TruLink app on Android does not allow direct streaming. Features include:

• Save programs based on location (up to 20 programs)
• Automatically switch between programs based on geotagged locations
• Control hearing aid volumes and memory
• Find a lost hearing aid

The Starkey TruLink is compatible with many versions of the Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel and HTC One. It's worth noting that the Starkey TruLink is not compatible with all Android smartphones, so be sure to check the list before making a decision.

Resound Smart 3D App

Average rating: 2.8/5 (3,151 ratings)

The ReSound Smart 3D app is designed for the LiNX Quattro, LiNX 3D and ENZO 3D hearing aids, but older lines such as the LiNX and UpSmart equally benefit from the ReSound Smart app.

The ReSound Smart 3D app is compatible with a number of phones, including Samsung (from S4 onwards), LG (G3, G5, V20), Huawei (Mate 8 and P9) and Sony Xperia Z3. In fact, it can run on any phone operating the Android OS 5.O (Lollipop) or later. The app’s features are identical to those that iPhone users benefit from, including:

• Find a lost hearing aid
• Tinnitus manager
• Remote assistance from health care professional
• Geotagging saved settings
• Adjust speech focus, noise and wind-noise levels

Although there is no direct streaming between your phone and hearing aid, this can be achieved by pairing with the ReSound Phone Clip+. You can also benefit from additional features, such as simultaneous connection to two devices.

Oticon ON App

Average Rating: 3.1/5 (3,818 ratings)

This hearing aid app for Android works with Oticon Opn hearing aids based on their TwinLink Technology. It is the only hearing aid app to take advantage of IFTTT, bringing the Internet of Things to hearing aids by integrating your hearing solution with a vast range of enabled home appliances, lighting systems and more.

The app is compatible with most major Android-based phones, including Samsung Galaxy, Sony Xperia, and Google Pixel. Some of its key features include:

• Find a lost hearing aid
• Volume adjustments
• Switch between saved programs
• Connection to Oticon IFTTT channel

If you use a phone or tablet which runs Android 8, recent updates of the app allow control of your hearing aid from the notification drawer. However, despite its great features, the app does not automatically switch between hearing aid programs based on geotagged locations.

Finding a Hearing Aid App for Android

There was no real distinction between Android and iPhone, as far as hearing aids were concerned, until Apple released proprietary Bluetooth technology exclusive to iOS in 2013. Because of this release, “Made for iPhone” hearing aids can now communicate directly with iPhones without being a huge drain on battery power or requiring an intermediary streamer to connect. (We've created our own guide to the best iPhone-specific hearing aid apps.)

Unfortunately for Android users, no “Made for Android” or otherwise-named technology has followed yet. However, that doesn’t mean it’s difficult to find a hearing aid app for Android.

When looking for a hearing aid app for Android setup you will find one downside however: Most currently rely on an intermediary streamer to provide the full benefits, such as the ConnectClip for Oticon Opn devices or the Phone Clip+ for ReSound hearing aids. These come at an additional cost of a few hundred dollars.

Fortunately, this won’t be a concern for much longer. An equivalent of the iPhone’s proprietary technology is (finally!) beginning to be incorporated into Android phones. This means the playing field will soon be level once again, allowing Android phones to connect directly with hearing aids while maintaining full features with minimal power consumption.

Alternative Android Hearing Aid Apps

While using a hearing aid app for Android backed by an associated hearing aid can be pleasant and worthwhile, there are many more apps out there which function independently of a hearing aid. Some of these apps do not attempt to act as a substitute for hearing aids, but rather provide a complementary service, working to enhance the user’s experience of everyday sounds.

Monitoring Hearing Levels

These apps serve to monitor sound levels that the user is exposed to, warning you when your hearing is at risk. Apps like these are great for those who are conscious about protecting their hearing, or who often find themselves in environments with high levels of background noise.

Examples available on Android include TooLoud, Noise Control Pro, NIOSH Sound Level Meter (pictured here), and Noise Sensor.

Tinnitus Balance Apps

Some of the hearing aid apps discussed above come with a tinnitus management feature, helping to balance out tinnitus symptoms. Aside from these, apps such as ReSound Relief and Phonak Tinnitus Balance are uniquely designed to serve this purpose. Relax Melodies: Sleep Sounds, is also highly recommended for those with Tinnitus. It comes with over 100 sounds and settings for you to select and mix.

Call-to-text Apps

Call-to-text apps transcribe speech to facilitate better understanding of conversations for the user. There are many apps which are capable of doing this; Phonak myCall-to-Text app can turn live speech and calls into writing, while P3 Mobile is a video service, relaying calls for those with profound hearing loss.

Hearing Test Apps

Most hearing test apps are marketed as “indicative”, and are not intended to replace the services of a hearing care professional. Nonetheless, these apps – such as Sound Meter and Signia Hearing Test – give the user an idea of what their hearing needs are. Most importantly, if hearing test apps suspect a degree of hearing loss, they can alert the user and instruct them to book an appointment with a hearing care professional.

The Future of Hearing Aids Is Here

The advancement of technology has allowed many with hearing deficiencies to continue enjoying the rich sounds of everyday life. Having any degree of hearing loss is no longer a reason to avoid social activities, with the devices’ sleek designs meaning that many users often have their hearing aids go unnoticed.

If you are experiencing hearing problems, the only long term solution is get your hearing tested properly, and to explore options with a specialist. Get started today with a free consultation from Tech.co.