Lede: Your hearing aids and earbuds are tiny supercomputers—microphones on your head, antennas in your ear, and apps in your pocket. That’s powerful. It also means your hearing life is now data. Here’s how to enjoy crystal‑clear sound while keeping your information—and your ears—safe.

Why privacy and security matter in your ears

Modern hearing aids and hearables (think OTC aids and advanced earbuds) do a lot: stream calls, translate, locate themselves when lost, fine‑tune with AI, and share data for remote adjustments. To do that, they collect and transmit information—some of it sensitive. That doesn’t make them dangerous; it just means a few smart habits go a long way.

Good news: the Bluetooth standards used by reputable hearing devices support encryption, and big manufacturers regularly ship security fixes. Your job is to keep things updated, set sane permissions, and know what you’re sharing.

What your hearing devices may collect

Not every product collects everything, but you’ll commonly see:

  • Device info: model, serial number, firmware version, battery level, error logs.
  • Usage stats: daily wear time, environment classification (quiet, speech-in-noise), program changes, volume adjustments.
  • App analytics: crash reports, feature usage, rough location for Bluetooth scanning (especially on Android), advertising identifiers.
  • Audio streams: phone call audio and music pass through your devices; this is typically encrypted in transit but not saved by the hearing aid itself.
  • Personal data (if you create an account): email, date of birth, hearing profile data (audiogram or in‑app self‑fit), and support messages.

Note: In many countries, hearing aid data in a clinic’s medical record is protected health information; the same data inside a consumer app or cloud service may not be. That’s why app privacy settings matter.

How hearing aids actually talk to your phone

Bluetooth flavors in plain English

  • Bluetooth Classic: Used in many Made for iPhone and Android streaming profiles for calls and music. Supports authenticated pairing and encrypted links.
  • Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE): Used for control (volume, programs), Find‑My features, and some newer streaming. Supports modern encryption with LE Secure Connections when implemented.
  • LE Audio and Auracast: The new kid on the block. LE Audio improves power use and sound quality; Auracast lets venues broadcast audio to many listeners at once. Broadcasts can be open (anyone can listen) or encrypted (password or credential required).

Bottom line: Properly paired personal connections are encrypted. Public broadcasts (like a museum tour via Auracast) may be open by design—great for access, but not private.

Your 10‑minute privacy and security tune‑up

Grab your phone and chargers. This is painless.

1) Update everything

  • Hearing aids/earbuds: Open the manufacturer app and check for firmware updates. Keep your devices on chargers and phone nearby during updates.
  • App and OS: Update the companion app and your phone’s operating system. Security improvements ride along with feature updates.

2) Lock your account doors

  • Strong, unique password for any manufacturer account. Use a password manager.
  • Turn on two‑factor authentication (2FA) if offered. Prefer an authenticator app over SMS.
  • Review connected devices/sessions inside your account and sign out of old phones or tablets.

3) Right‑size app permissions

  • Bluetooth: Required. If it’s off, nothing connects.
  • Location: On Android, BLE scanning may require Location. Set it to “While using the app” if possible. On iOS, choose “Allow While Using App.”
  • Microphone and Photos: Only enable if you use features that need them (e.g., sound recording for support, saving audiograms).
  • Background activity: Allow if you need auto‑reconnection and Find‑My features. If you don’t, reduce background access to limit data use and battery drain.
  • Analytics/marketing: In the app settings, toggle off usage analytics and ad tracking unless you truly want them.

4) Pair wisely

  • Pair at home or in a quiet place—avoid pairing in busy public areas where nearby devices are also advertising.
  • Rename your devices to something nondescript (not your full name).
  • Forget old pairings in your phone’s Bluetooth list to reduce confusion and unintended connections.

5) Understand Auracast and public broadcasts

  • Open broadcast: Anyone nearby can tune in. Great for airport gates and museums. Assume it’s not private.
  • Encrypted broadcast: Requires a passkey or credential from the venue. Prefer this for classes or meetings with sensitive content.
  • Tip: Ask venues which they use. If you’re sharing personal info (e.g., in a healthcare setting), request an encrypted stream or a personal assistive listening device instead.

6) Lost device plan

  • Enable Find‑My or manufacturer “finder” features if available.
  • If you lose a device: Unpair it from your phone, change your account password, and contact support to revoke cloud access. For clinic‑fitted aids, alert your audiologist so they can advise on reprogramming and warranty steps.

7) Mind the extras

  • Voice assistants: If your aids link to Alexa/Siri/Google, review the assistant’s privacy controls. Turn off voice recording retention if you prefer.
  • Remote care: Teleaudiology sessions may involve audio/video. Use your home network or a trusted hotspot—not open public Wi‑Fi.
  • Accessories: TV streamers and remote mics also pair via Bluetooth. Update their firmware too and change default pairing codes if the vendor allows.

Special cases worth knowing

OTC and self‑fit devices

Over‑the‑counter hearing aids are consumer electronics regulated for safety and labeling, but their companion apps may not be covered by medical privacy laws. Before you create an account, skim the app’s “Data Safety/Privacy” section in the App Store or Google Play. Look for data minimization (collects only what’s needed) and a clear deletion process.

Clinic‑fit hearing aids with cloud accounts

Some manufacturers offer cloud backup of your programs, remote fine‑tuning, and device locator features. These are convenient and usually secure, but ask your clinician:

  • What data is stored in the cloud vs. only on my phone?
  • Can I opt out of analytics?
  • If I switch phones, how do I wipe the old one’s access?

Family sharing and caregiver access

Many apps allow caregiver logins. Set up separate credentials instead of sharing your main password. Review what the caregiver can see—usage time, location for “finders,” hearing profile—and make sure that’s okay with you.

Myths vs. realities

  • Myth: “Someone can secretly listen through my hearing aids.”
    Reality: Typical hearing aids don’t broadcast your microphone feed to the public. Personal streams are encrypted after pairing. Risks come more from lost devices or malicious apps, not strangers eavesdropping over the air.
  • Myth: “Turning off Bluetooth is the only safe option.”
    Reality: That also turns off streaming, control, and finders. With updates, proper pairing, and sensible permissions, Bluetooth connections are designed to be secure.
  • Myth: “HIPAA protects everything in my hearing app.”
    Reality: HIPAA protects data held by covered healthcare entities. Many consumer apps are not covered. Check each app’s privacy policy and controls.

Shopping checklist: privacy features to look for

  • Transparent privacy policy in plain language, with a data deletion process.
  • Two‑factor authentication for your account.
  • Regular firmware updates and a public security contact or bulletin page.
  • Granular permissions and the ability to opt out of analytics/marketing.
  • Encryption claims aligned with Bluetooth LE Secure Connections and up‑to‑date streaming profiles.
  • Auracast controls that let you see when a stream is open vs. encrypted.

When to loop in your audiologist

Privacy shouldn’t get in the way of hearing well. If locking down settings makes your devices unreliable—dropping connections, no remote care, or lost features—talk with your audiologist. They can:

  • Review app settings with you and explain trade‑offs.
  • Update device firmware in‑clinic if your phone is stubborn.
  • Suggest accessories (like private remote mics) when open broadcasts aren’t appropriate.

Haven’t seen an audiologist yet? If you’re using OTC or hearables and still struggling to follow conversations, a hearing evaluation can clarify what tech and settings will truly help.

The bottom line

Your ears deserve the best sound—and your data deserves respect. With a few minutes of updates, permission clean‑ups, and smarter pairing, you can enjoy modern hearing tech without leaving your privacy behind.

Further Reading

- Update Your Ears: Firmware, Apps, and Privacy for Smarter Hearing Aids (Technology) - Milliseconds Matter: Hearing Aid Latency, Echoey Voices, and Faster Fixes (Technology) - Your Hearing Aids Are Taking Notes: Turn Datalogging Into Better Everyday Hearing (Technology) - Update or Wait? How Hearing Aid Firmware (and Apps) Quietly Change Your Sound (Technology)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone eavesdrop on my hearing aids over Bluetooth?

Under normal circumstances, no. Personal connections between your hearing aids and phone use encrypted Bluetooth links after you intentionally pair them. Public Auracast broadcasts can be open by design, but that’s for venue audio going to you—not your microphones going out. The bigger risks are lost devices, outdated firmware, or granting excessive app permissions.

Do HIPAA rules protect the data in my hearing aid app?

Not necessarily. HIPAA protects health information held by covered entities like clinics and insurers. Many consumer apps, including some hearing aid and OTC hearable apps, are not HIPAA‑covered. Check the app’s privacy policy and use in‑app controls to limit sharing, opt out of analytics, and request data deletion.

Is Auracast safe to use?

Yes, but understand the mode. Auracast is a broadcast: it can be open (anyone nearby can tune in) or encrypted (requires a code or credential). For announcements or tours, open is fine. For sensitive meetings or classes, ask the venue to use encrypted Auracast or a private assistive listening solution.

Do I need antivirus for my hearing aids?

No. Focus on practical steps: keep firmware, apps, and your phone’s OS updated; use strong passwords and two‑factor authentication for any accounts; right‑size app permissions; and pair devices in trusted places. If you suspect a problem, contact the manufacturer or your audiologist for guidance.

References