Your hearing aids are tiny, wearable computers that get better over time—if you let them. A quick firmware update or a smart tweak in your app can sharpen speech, cure Bluetooth hiccups, and even add new features. This guide shows you how to update safely, set the right permissions, keep your data private, and fix connectivity gremlins without losing your cool.
Why updates matter (and why your aids feel "smarter" after)
Just like your phone, modern hearing aids run firmware—the onboard software that controls microphones, noise reduction, streaming, and power use. Manufacturers ship updates to:
- Improve speech clarity and background noise handling
- Fix connectivity bugs (that one ear dropping during calls)
- Optimize battery life and charging behavior
- Add features (tap controls, better wind handling, new programs)
- Enhance cybersecurity
Bottom line: updates can make your day-to-day listening more stable and more comfortable. If you’re happy with your sound and heading into a big event, it’s fine to schedule updates for a quieter moment.
What exactly gets updated?
- Hearing aid firmware: Lives on each device. Controls acoustic processing, power, and radio.
- Companion app: The control center on your phone. Updates come via the App Store/Google Play.
- Flashable modules: Bluetooth stacks, tap sensors, or feedback managers embedded in firmware.
Sometimes the app and the aids need to be updated together. If one lags behind, you may see odd behavior (e.g., missing features or pairing loops).
Before you update: a 2‑minute checklist
- Charge both hearing aids to at least 50% (fully charged is best).
- Charge your phone and keep it nearby (within 6–12 inches).
- Turn off battery savers that might kill Bluetooth in the background.
- Close other apps and switch on Do Not Disturb to avoid interruptions.
- Stay put—don’t walk away mid-update.
Yes, it sounds fussy. But these simple steps prevent half-installed updates and the dreaded "One ear won’t connect" spiral.
How to check and install updates
Inside your hearing aid app
- Open the app, look for Settings > About > Firmware/Device info.
- If an update is available, follow the on-screen steps. Expect 5–15 minutes.
- Leave both aids out of the charger unless your app tells you otherwise.
Also update the app itself
- Open your phone’s app store and update the manufacturer’s app.
- Restart your phone after a major app update—it clears stale Bluetooth sessions.
Connectivity hygiene: small habits, big stability
iPhone and iPad (Made for iPhone)
- Check Settings > Accessibility > Hearing Devices to confirm both aids are connected.
- If audio stutters, toggle Bluetooth off/on. Still stuck? Forget the device in Accessibility and re-pair.
- Keep iOS up to date. Apple routinely fixes MFi hearing device bugs.
Android (ASHA streaming)
- Use Android 10 or later for Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids (ASHA).
- Pair via Settings > Accessibility > Hearing aids (not just Bluetooth menu).
- If one ear drops, unpair both entries, restart phone and aids, then re-pair.
Multipoint and multi-device sanity
- Limit active connections during calls or meetings. Two devices max is safer.
- Turn off Bluetooth on the device you’re not using to prevent "audio tug-of-war."
Will an update change my sound?
Sometimes. Manufacturers refine noise reduction, feedback control, or compression. Most updates aim for transparency, but your brain notices small shifts in loudness or brightness, especially in noisy places. If the sound feels off after updating:
- Power cycle each hearing aid and your phone.
- Try a different program, then return to your usual one.
- If discomfort persists, ask your audiologist to review your settings or run verification.
Pro tip: take a few notes after an update—situations that sound better or worse. It helps your clinician fine-tune quickly.
App permissions and your privacy: what’s actually collected
Hearing aid apps can be very respectful of privacy—but only if you set them up that way. Common data categories include:
- Essential: device identifiers, battery level, firmware version, error logs
- Usage: which programs you use, volume changes, streaming duration
- Environment labels: general sound scenes (e.g., speech-in-noise, music)—typically not recordings
- Location: for geofencing (automatic program switching) and Bluetooth scanning on Android
- Microphone access: for phone calls, live listen, or in-app sound tests—not for covert recording
You can usually control:
- Analytics sharing: opt out if you prefer.
- Cloud backup: helpful for restoring settings to a new phone; check whether the backup includes your audiogram.
- Geofencing: handy for automatic restaurant or office programs; disable if you don’t want location-based features.
Want maximum privacy? Allow Bluetooth and Notifications, allow Microphone only if you stream calls or use live-listen features, and disable Analytics and Geofencing. On Android, Location may be required for Bluetooth Low Energy scanning—turn it on only while using the app if your phone allows that mode.
Security basics you shouldn’t skip
- Keep your phone’s OS updated—many Bluetooth/security fixes live there.
- Use a phone passcode and app store updates; avoid sideloaded apps.
- Update hearing aid firmware when available to patch vulnerabilities.
- Only pair on trusted devices and networks; avoid installing apps from unknown brands claiming compatibility.
If you use remote care, your clinic may store session data. Ask your audiologist how they protect it and whether you can opt out of data sharing that isn’t essential for your care.
Remote care: when to use it (and when to call in-person)
Most major brands offer remote fine-tuning inside the app. It’s a lifesaver for travel or minor tweaks. Try remote care when:
- You need small adjustments to a specific program or situation
- You can describe the problem clearly and provide examples
- Your aids and phone are updated and charging
Book in-person care when:
- Your aids won’t power on or won’t connect after multiple resets
- You suspect moisture damage or physical issues (broken mics, clogged receivers)
- Sound changed dramatically after an update and doesn’t improve
Gentle nudge: an audiologist can check fit, run verification, and make precise changes that apps can’t. Don’t hesitate to lean on your pro.
Fix-it fast: common update and pairing problems
"One ear won’t connect" after update
- Put both aids in the charger for 30 seconds, then remove.
- Restart your phone. Toggle Bluetooth off/on.
- Forget/remove the aids in your phone’s accessibility menu, then re-pair.
App says update failed
- Charge everything. Force-quit the app. Reopen and retry with the phone and aids inches apart.
- Disable battery saver/low power mode and keep the screen awake.
- If failure repeats, contact your clinic—the update can often be completed there.
Streaming sounds choppy after updating
- Check for a pending app update right after the firmware update.
- Turn off competing Bluetooth devices nearby (tablets, laptops).
- Reduce audio quality settings if your app offers it, then test.
Smart settings to try (if your app supports them)
- Environmental automation: Let the aids switch programs when noise changes; you can always override.
- Tap or gesture control: Assign double-tap for play/pause or noise reduction—great for quick transitions.
- Geotagged programs: If you’re comfortable with location, auto-load your favorite restaurant or meeting room settings.
- In-situ checks: Use built-in hearing checks to spot drift; share results with your clinician.
A quick privacy-and-performance checklist
- Update firmware and app quarterly, or when prompted.
- Review app permissions after major updates.
- Opt out of analytics if you prefer, keep geofencing off unless you love it.
- Restart phone and aids weekly to clear Bluetooth cobwebs.
- Back up settings if the app offers it—handy if you switch phones.
When to ask your audiologist
If updates fail repeatedly, sound changes suddenly, or you’re unsure about privacy settings, loop in your audiologist. They can update devices in-clinic, verify performance with real-ear measurements, and tailor privacy and automation to your comfort level.
Your hearing tech should feel invisible when you want it to—and smart when you need it. A few informed taps keep it that way.
Further Reading
- Milliseconds Matter: Hearing Aid Latency, Echoey Voices, and Faster Fixes (Technology) - Hearing Aid Firmware: Small Updates, Big Listening Gains (Technology) - Your Hearing Aids Are Smart—Where Does Your Data Go? (Technology) - Your Phone, a Super Mic: Cleaner Conversations with Remote Microphone Mode (Technology)Frequently Asked Questions
Are firmware updates safe for my hearing aids?
Generally yes. Updates are designed to improve stability, security, and performance. Follow the app’s instructions, keep both aids and your phone charged, and stay close to the phone during the process. If an update fails more than once, contact your audiologist or the manufacturer’s support—clinics can often complete updates in-office.
Will an update change how my hearing aids sound?
It can, but most changes are subtle and aim to improve clarity and comfort. If the sound feels too sharp, dull, or noisy after updating, restart everything and test different programs. If it still feels off, your audiologist can fine-tune settings or roll back program parameters to match your preferences.
Do hearing aid apps track my location?
They can if you enable geofencing or if your Android phone requires Location for Bluetooth Low Energy scanning. You can usually disable geofencing and restrict Location to "only while using the app." Check the app’s privacy settings and your phone’s permissions to control this.
What if my hearing aid won’t pair after an update?
Place both aids in the charger, then remove to reboot them. Restart your phone. In your phone’s accessibility hearing device menu, forget/remove the aids, then re-pair. Ensure Bluetooth and, on Android, Location are turned on. If pairing still fails, your clinic can help reset and re-pair.
