Bluetooth hearing aids work with Android and iOS apps

Siemens miniTek hearing aids

Just as mobile phone makers turned their devices into cameras and music players, the makers of digital hearing aids are finding ways to expand the versatility of those products.

New hearing aids made by Siemens and ReSound have Bluetooth technology built into their tiny receiver-amplifiers. The Siemens MiniTek can be connected to non-Bluetooth sources, such as a television, DVD player, or a standard desk phone and it can be adjusted using an Android app.

The LiNX, made by GN ReSound, works with the iPhone and other Apple devices. It allows users to change sound levels and fine-tune the hearing aids to suit different environments, such as a concert hall or a crowded restaurant.