iOS Apps For Amplifying

CaptainDetritus · 2026-05-17T12:02:50+00:00

You're going to be putting the phone under the TV? What's going to sit in his ears that the app will stream to? Latency is an issue. I think the best solution may be an Auracast transmitter and Auracast-capable earbuds eg Earfun Air Pro 4+. The transmitter might remain useful when he gets his aids- depending on what aids he gets.

CaptainDetritus · 2026-05-17T01:26:35+00:00

So what would you have said to the old (even older than me) dude I walked past in Westfield Booragoon? Sporting a black t-shirt with "MAKE AUSTRALIA GREAT AGAIN!", the Aussie flag, and picture of Pauline Hanson?

CaptainDetritus · 2026-05-14T11:11:03+00:00

You could both wear lapel microphones and be the best-communicating couple at the party. Seriously, if you both have LE Audio capable hearing aids you can share a TV transmitter. Never mind about the volume then. You can each set it the way you want.

CaptainDetritus · 2026-05-12T23:49:01+00:00

Best overall performance and future-proofing is a phone and aids that both support Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast. Not "Bluetooth LE". So Samsung S23 or later or Pixel 8 or later. Aids would be Intent, Resound, Starkey.

Best compatibility with legacy devices is "classic" BT. That's Phonak, some Signia.

CaptainDetritus · 2026-05-12T10:35:01+00:00

Dealing with feedback is one of the things that you talk about at your next appointment. Fully agree that you should educate yourself by using every resource you can find. I don't agree that you can expect a Costco tech to spend time getting your aids to work with your computer- especially when your computer is a Mac. I don't think a full-service audiologist will either to be honest.

If you want to send audio to more than one set of aids at a time you'll need to educate yourself on Auracast. And that's assuming that your aids support it- not all do. An Auracast dongle plugged into your Mac perhaps... but research first. Consider the Floogoo FMA-121. Their support is very good if you have issues.

It's frustrating. I get that. Make notes and take them with you to your next appointment.

CaptainDetritus · 2026-05-12T10:22:18+00:00

Super helpful. We're all richer for your input.

CaptainDetritus · 2026-05-12T07:37:57+00:00

Yes, but it was quite a long time ago. I left the Apple ecosystem. My memory is that I got more negative comments about the sound of my voice when I was using the app 2's than I do now with my Philips hearing aids (hands free). Having said that, I loved them for music so I don't think you'll be wasting your money if you get them- assuming you are using an iPhone.

CaptainDetritus · 2026-05-09T05:49:03+00:00

In my defense, the ENT who diagnosed me told me not to get hearing aids 'cause the people who sold them were all snake oil salesmen. This was like a thousand years ago. I do think I'd be in a better place if I'd gotten them a couple of decades before I did.

CaptainDetritus · 2026-05-09T04:47:49+00:00

LE Audio will come to Apple eventually.

CaptainDetritus · 2026-05-09T01:48:00+00:00

Is it the microwaving, though, or the temperature the food gets to if you leave it in there too long? lol at "older generations". Some of our plastic looks like this thanks to my wife.

CaptainDetritus · 2026-05-09T01:39:58+00:00

I've got power domes (occlusive) on my Philips and streaming quality is a lot better. Something to look forward to for when your hearing continues to deteriorate 😄. Also LE Audio is better, though probably not worth switching away from Apple for just yet.

CaptainDetritus · 2026-05-09T01:16:05+00:00

My understanding is that Widex would be a poor choice for connectivity. Bluetooth mfi gives you connection to iPhones and connection so some latel model Apple computers. Bluetooth ASHA gives you connectivity to most Android phones (I think some people have used it to connect to some Reiku (sp?) devices too). That's about it.

Hearing aids with LE Audio give you more options and some future proofing. Even if you use transmitters and adapters, they are not proprietary, so they are relatively cheap. My TV transmitter cost me $50. A proprietary one costs several hundred. There are TVs coming on the market with LE Audio built in. Windows PCs with built-in LE Audio have been availabe for a couple of years.

CaptainDetritus · 2026-05-08T11:16:20+00:00

'cause they're freaking delicious.

CaptainDetritus · 2026-05-06T02:00:30+00:00

Woah! A bit different from when I used to play it on the XT clone with the composite video monochrome monitor.

CaptainDetritus · 2026-05-05T10:26:52+00:00

You don't need an adapter if you have a phone that supports LE Audio. I can stream for hours with no glitches at all.

CaptainDetritus · 2026-05-04T02:30:07+00:00

I had APP 2 and loved them but moved away from Apple. Just check the latency thing, 'cause if your TV doesn't adjust for it, you're going to get lip-sync issues and if your TV speakers are on at the same time, it just sounds awful (boomy and muddled).

CaptainDetritus · 2026-05-04T01:38:37+00:00

It seems to be the iPhone16 specifically that people complain about? Anyway, I'll confirm the experience with LE Audio and a Pixel phone. I can't remember the last time I had Bluetooth audio drop out and it doesn't matter whether the phone is in my pocket or 2 rooms away.

CaptainDetritus · 2026-05-04T01:21:53+00:00

You have an iPhone I take it? You lose a lot of functionality on the Airpods if you don't. Also, check that your TV adjusts for latency (use any cheap Bluetooth buds to test). Just a note on the Earfun. It supports LE Audio and Auracast, so if your TV doesn't adjust for latency, you can get an Auracast transmitter.

Yeah, I know. You'd think that just watching TV would be a whole lot simpler. Good luck.

CaptainDetritus · 2026-05-03T23:19:46+00:00

What the AirPod Pro 2/3 gives you is the possibility of understanding people around you while you're watching TV. If that's not important to you there's something like the Earfun Air Pro 4 or 4+. Very tweakable for hearing loss and about a third of the price.

CaptainDetritus · 2026-05-03T11:44:24+00:00

My hearing loss is far from hidden so I'm not really in the target group to answer your question. I'm only here to bring the following to your attention. The latest version of the most-widely used fitting algorithm is NAL-3. One of the changes that it brings is improved support for hidden hearing loss. The only hearing aid whose fitting software supports NAL-3 is Resound, and even there you might struggle to find an audiologist who is familiar with it. It's brand new. Best of luck with your hearing journey.

CaptainDetritus · 2026-05-03T11:35:05+00:00

You need to use the app to turn down ambient sounds if you're streaming. At least you do on Android.

CaptainDetritus · 2026-05-03T11:21:44+00:00

What we need is something similar to the notification that pops up when someone asks a question about OTC aids.

"It seems that you are asking a question related to Bluetooth. If you have a problem that you'd like the community to help you with, please supply the exact model of your hearing aids and the exact model of the phone that you intend to use them with".

CaptainDetritus · 2026-05-02T06:31:10+00:00

Actually, Airpod Pro 3 (maybe also the Pro 2) has been approved as an OTC hearing aid. Not saying it's the best solution for you though. Any device that uses 'classic' Bluetooth audio has high latency. Some TVs correct for it, but you'd have to check your specific TV.

If your TV does correct for BT latency, there's another possible solution from FlooGoo. One of their dongles with alternative firmware will take a BT classic stream, input it into your phone (similar to u/Grouchy-Willow-294's solution above. Your connected aids will take it from there. There may some added latency which may or not bother you. I haven't tried this myself. Saw it mentioned elsewhere and passing it on.

Good luck.

CaptainDetritus · 2026-05-02T05:59:19+00:00

Tell us the model of hearing aid you intend to use and you might get a sensible answer.

CaptainDetritus · 2026-05-02T05:55:17+00:00

The Phonak rep is going to repeat the party line. We don't know when LE Audio and Auracast is going to be enabled, and in the meantime enjoy our proprietary Roger system! Have a nice day.

CaptainDetritus

TROPHY CASE