Winter is the perfect time to grab a bunch of snacks, order an Evel Pie pizza, curl up on the couch, cover yourself in blankets and watch a little TV. If you’re among the more than 10% of people with hearing loss in the United States, however, you may worry that your trouble hearing will impact your movie enjoyment.
Luckily, modern hearing aids can connect to many smart TVs via Bluetooth®, allowing you to stream all your favorite dialogue right to your ears. Let’s take a look at how you can connect your devices to your TV.
1. Check Compatibility
Before doing anything, check that your TV and hearing aids are compatible. In general, smart TVs with Bluetooth are compatible with most hearing aids.
2. Put Your Hearing Aids in Pairing Mode
Each hearing aid style and brand is different, but most devices enter pairing mode when you turn them off, then on again. Check your manual for specific instructions if rebooting them doesn’t work.
3. Put Your TV in Pairing Mode
Bluetooth pairing requires that both devices be searching for each other. Your TV’s Bluetooth will be in the Settings menu. On your remote or the TV’s home screen, click “Settings”—it usually has a small gear icon. Next, find the Bluetooth menu. It will typically be under “Sound,” “Audio Devices” or “Bluetooth.” The words “pairing” or “searching” should appear when you turn on Bluetooth.
4. Connect
When both devices are in pairing mode, your hearing aids should appear in the list of available devices on your TV, under the name of their manufacturer. Click your hearing aids on the menu and they should pair. If your hearing aids don’t appear, repeat step two with your devices a little closer to the TV.
If you had your TV hooked up to an external speaker, it may prioritize the speaker over your hearing aids. First, change the sound output from “Speaker” to “TV,” then repeat steps two through four.
5. Enjoy Your Movies
After you pair your hearing aids, sound should stream through them. Just lie back and enjoy every joke or jump scare from your favorite films.
For more information on taking advantage of the benefits your hearing aids offer, contact Nevada Ear + Sinus Institute today.
Call Nevada Ear + Sinus Institute at (702) 735-7668 for more information or to schedule an appointment.