Hearing aids are becoming more connected, more customizable, and increasingly integrated with the smartphones people already use every day.
Many modern hearing aids now work with companion apps that can put controls such as volume, listening modes, sound adjustments, and device information on a phone screen. Some self-fitting hearing aids go further, using software to help users personalize their hearing settings.
This shift is about more than convenience. It reflects a broader change in hearing technology, where hardware, wireless connectivity, and software are becoming increasingly connected.
So, what is driving the rise of app-controlled hearing aids—and what does it actually mean for users?
What Does “App-Controlled Hearing Aid” Mean?
An app-controlled hearing aid connects to a compatible smartphone application, typically through wireless technology such as Bluetooth.
The exact functions vary by device, but a hearing aid app may allow users to:
-
Adjust volume
-
Switch between listening modes or programs
-
Adjust the left and right hearing aids separately
-
Fine-tune bass, midrange, or treble
-
Manage available noise-reduction settings
-
View battery or device information
-
Access additional personalization features
Some apps may also support remote assistance, direct audio streaming, device-finding features, or other functions, depending on the hearing aid and manufacturer.
One important distinction: app control and self-fitting are not the same thing.
Some hearing aid apps primarily act as remote controls for everyday settings. Self-fitting hearing aids use technology, including software, that allows users to independently configure and customize their hearing aid fitting and settings.
In other words, the fact that a hearing aid has an app does not necessarily mean it is a self-fitting hearing aid.
Why Are Hearing Aid Apps Becoming More Common?
Several developments have helped make smartphone control a more natural part of modern hearing technology.
1. Smartphones Provide a More Flexible Interface
Hearing aids are small devices, which naturally limits the number and size of physical controls they can accommodate.
A smartphone offers much more screen space.
Instead of navigating several functions through one or two small buttons, users can potentially see volume levels, active listening modes, battery information, and other available settings on a visual interface.
This can be especially useful as listening conditions change throughout the day.
A quiet conversation at home presents a very different sound environment from a busy restaurant, an outdoor walk, or watching television. When a hearing aid supports adjustable settings, an app can provide a convenient way to access them.
Physical buttons still have an important role, but apps can make more detailed controls easier to see and manage.
2. OTC Hearing Aids Have Increased the Role of User-Controlled Software
The establishment of the over-the-counter hearing aid category in the United States has also made user-controlled technology more relevant.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), OTC hearing aids are intended for adults 18 years and older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. They can be purchased without a prescription, medical examination, or fitting by an audiologist.
The FDA states that OTC hearing aids allow users to control and customize device settings through tools, tests, or software.
Within the OTC category, self-fitting hearing aids can provide greater customization through technologies such as hearing tests, software, and smartphone apps.
That does not mean every OTC hearing aid requires an app. Traditional and wireless OTC hearing aids may offer basic controls such as volume adjustment and preset programs without relying on smartphone-based self-fitting.
But as consumers take a more active role in choosing, setting up, and managing OTC hearing aids, easy-to-use software has become an increasingly relevant part of the overall experience.
3. Bluetooth Technology Continues to Evolve
Wireless connectivity is another important part of the shift.
Bluetooth has long been used to connect consumer devices, but newer developments are expanding what wireless audio technology can do for hearing aids.
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group completed the specifications for Bluetooth LE Audio in 2022. LE Audio operates using Bluetooth Low Energy and includes support for hearing aids, along with features designed to enable new wireless audio experiences.
One of its most notable additions is Auracast™ broadcast audio.
Auracast allows a compatible audio source to broadcast audio to compatible receiving devices. In an assistive listening setting, this technology has the potential to allow compatible hearing devices to receive audio from supported public sound systems.
Compatible products and assistive listening installations are already beginning to appear, although support depends on the specific hearing device, transmitting equipment, and venue.
This development shows that smartphone connectivity is part of a much broader evolution in how hearing devices interact with other technology.
What Can Hearing Aid Apps Actually Make Easier?
The value of an app depends on what it allows the user to do. More features do not automatically mean a better experience.
Several functions, however, can make everyday hearing aid management more convenient.
Volume Adjustments
Volume control is one of the most straightforward uses of a hearing aid app.
A visual slider or level indicator can make it easier to see the current setting rather than relying entirely on button presses or audible indicators.
Listening Modes
Some hearing aids offer preset programs or modes for different listening situations.
An app can provide a visual way to see which mode is currently active and switch between available options.
Left and Right Controls
Some apps allow the left and right hearing aids to be adjusted separately.
For users wearing two hearing aids, this can provide additional flexibility when supported by the device.
Sound Personalization
Depending on the hearing aid, an app may offer adjustments for bass, midrange, treble, or other sound characteristics.
The available controls vary considerably between products, so it is important to check what a specific app actually provides rather than assuming that all hearing aid apps work the same way.
Device Information
Some apps can display information such as battery status, connection status, or other device details.
This can make the smartphone useful not only as a controller but also as a central place to check the status of the hearing aids.
Remote Support
Certain hearing aid systems allow hearing care professionals to provide remote support or make adjustments without requiring every interaction to take place in person.
Availability varies by device, manufacturer, provider, and service model, so remote support should be evaluated as a specific feature rather than assumed to be included with every hearing aid app.
Audio Streaming
Some Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids can receive calls, music, video, or other audio from compatible devices.
However, Bluetooth connectivity, app control, and direct audio streaming are separate capabilities. A hearing aid that has one does not necessarily support all three.
Checking the manufacturer's compatibility information is important before purchasing.
Physical Controls Still Matter
As apps become more capable, it might seem that physical buttons are becoming unnecessary. In practice, they can still be extremely useful.
A user may want to change the volume during a conversation, while walking outside, or when their phone is not nearby.
In those situations, reaching for a physical button may be quicker than unlocking a smartphone and opening an app.
This is why app controls and physical controls do not have to replace one another.
For some users, the most practical design may be one that offers simple adjustments directly on the hearing aid while making additional controls available through an app.
A useful question to ask when comparing devices is:
Can I perform the basic functions I need even when my phone isn’t nearby?
A Milestone: When Hearing Aid Software Became the Device
One development illustrates just how important software has become in hearing technology.
In September 2024, the FDA authorized the first over-the-counter hearing aid software device.
The Hearing Aid Feature is a software-only mobile medical application designed to work with compatible versions of Apple AirPods Pro. It uses a self-fitting strategy, and eligible users can customize the feature to their hearing needs through an iOS device.
After setup, users can refine settings including volume, tone, and balance.
The significance of this development goes beyond one product.
Traditionally, software was something used to program or control hearing hardware. In this case, FDA-authorized software itself enables a compatible consumer audio product to function as an OTC hearing aid.
It is a clear example of how the boundary between hearing hardware and software is changing.
What About AI?
Artificial intelligence is also becoming more visible in hearing technology, although AI and app control should not be treated as the same thing.
Modern digital hearing aids can process sound and be programmed for different frequencies and listening environments. Some newer devices also use more advanced processing systems to classify or respond to changing sound environments.
The app may give users access to certain settings, while much of the actual sound processing takes place within the hearing device itself.
This distinction matters.
An app is primarily an interface. The hearing aid's internal hardware and software are responsible for processing the incoming sound.
As processing technology continues to develop, users may see more automatic adjustments happening in the background, potentially reducing the need to manually change settings as often.
What Should You Look for in a Hearing Aid App?
The number of app features is less important than whether those features are useful and easy to operate.
When comparing app-controlled hearing aids, consider the following:
Ease of use
Are the main controls clearly labeled and easy to find?
Available controls
Does the app provide the adjustments you actually expect to use, such as volume, listening modes, or sound balance?
Phone compatibility
Is the app compatible with your smartphone model and operating system?
Physical controls
Can basic functions still be performed directly on the hearing aid?
Independent ear controls
If you wear two hearing aids, can the left and right devices be adjusted independently?
Connectivity
How does the hearing aid connect to your phone, and which functions depend on that connection?
Purpose of the app
Does the app primarily act as a remote control, or is it part of a self-fitting system?
These questions are often more useful than simply asking whether a hearing aid “has an app.”
The Trade-Offs of App-Controlled Hearing Aids
App control can add convenience, but it is not automatically the right choice for everyone.
There Can Be a Learning Curve
People who are comfortable using smartphones may find app controls intuitive. Others may prefer physical buttons and fewer settings.
A well-designed app should simplify everyday operation rather than make basic hearing aid functions feel more complicated.
Compatibility Matters
Not every hearing aid works with every smartphone.
Operating system versions, phone models, Bluetooth capabilities, and manufacturer requirements can all affect compatibility.
Users should check current compatibility information for the specific hearing aid and app they are considering.
More Control Is Not Always Better
An app with numerous sliders and settings may appeal to some users but feel overwhelming to others.
The goal should not necessarily be maximum adjustability. It should be giving users meaningful controls in a form they can comfortably use.
Privacy Is Worth Considering
Apps may collect different types of information depending on their functions.
Before using a hearing aid app, review its privacy information and permissions to understand what data the app collects, how that information is used, and whether any data is shared.
Where Is App-Controlled Hearing Technology Headed?
The next stage of hearing technology is likely to involve even closer integration between hearing devices, smartphones, software, and other connected audio systems.
Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast are expanding the possibilities for wireless audio and assistive listening. Software is providing new ways to control and customize devices. At the same time, advances in digital sound processing are allowing hearing aids to respond more effectively to changing listening environments.
The result may not simply be hearing aids with more settings.
Instead, the long-term direction appears to be toward hearing technology that requires less effort to manage—while still giving users control when they want it.
That balance will be important.
The most useful technology is not necessarily the technology with the longest feature list. It is technology that fits naturally into everyday life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an app-controlled hearing aid?
An app-controlled hearing aid connects to a compatible smartphone application that provides access to certain device functions. Depending on the hearing aid, these may include volume, listening modes, sound adjustments, battery information, or other settings.
Is an app-controlled hearing aid the same as a self-fitting hearing aid?
No. A hearing aid app may simply provide remote access to certain controls. A self-fitting hearing aid incorporates technology that allows users to independently configure and customize their hearing aid fitting and settings.
Do all Bluetooth hearing aids have an app?
No. Bluetooth connectivity, smartphone app control, and audio streaming are related but separate capabilities. Features vary by hearing aid and manufacturer.
Do you need a smartphone to use an app-controlled hearing aid?
It depends on the device. Some hearing aids also provide physical controls for basic functions, while others rely more heavily on smartphone software. Check the product instructions and compatibility information before purchasing.
Can hearing aids stream music and phone calls?
Some Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids support direct audio streaming from compatible smartphones or other devices. Streaming support varies by product, phone, operating system, and Bluetooth implementation.
What is Auracast?
Auracast™ broadcast audio is a Bluetooth capability introduced as part of Bluetooth LE Audio. It allows compatible audio sources to broadcast audio to compatible receiving devices. One intended use is assistive listening in public and shared spaces.
Who are OTC hearing aids intended for?
In the United States, OTC hearing aids are intended for adults 18 years and older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. People with more significant hearing concerns or certain ear-related symptoms should seek evaluation from a qualified healthcare professional.
