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    Health Tech · Setup & Troubleshooting

    Hearing Aids + Technology — Made Simpler

    Pair, stream, adjust, and fix the most common tech issues with your hearing aids.

    Bluetooth & MFi
    Made-for-iPhone
    TV & streaming
    10 common fixes

    Pick your hearing aid brand

    Tap a card to see app features, pairing steps for iPhone and Android, battery tips, and firmware update info for your brand.

    Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids

    Since the FDA rule in October 2022, you can buy OTC hearing aids without a prescription. These work best for mild-to-moderate hearing loss in adults 18 and over.

    Jabra Enhance

    $995 – $1,995 / pair

    Includes 3 years of remote audiologist support.

    Bluetooth streaming to iPhone and Android. 100-day money-back trial. Best fit for mild to moderate loss.

    Sony CRE-C10 / CRE-E10

    $999 – $1,299 / pair

    Self-fit with the Sony Hearing Control app.

    C10 is nearly invisible; E10 is rechargeable with Bluetooth. Sony-branded, built by WS Audiology.

    Eargo

    $799 – $2,950 / pair

    In-the-canal, barely visible.

    Rechargeable, self-fit, includes lifetime remote support. Good for mild to moderate high-frequency loss.

    Lexie

    $799 – $999 / pair

    Sold at Walgreens, Best Buy, and online.

    Powered by Bose technology. Self-fit through the Lexie app. 45-day money-back trial.

    Bluetooth streaming wizard

    Five common streaming tasks, with separate steps for iPhone and Android.

    Phone calls through the aids

    Answer the phone and hear the caller directly in both ears. No holding the phone to your ear.

    Step 1 of 5

    iPhone

    1. 1

      Make sure your aids are paired: Settings → Accessibility → Hearing Devices, your aids should show Connected.

    2. 2

      Call a friend or use your voicemail to test.

    3. 3

      When the call comes in, tap the green button — audio will route to the aids automatically.

    4. 4

      Your phone mic picks up your voice. Hold the phone within 2 feet of your mouth.

    Android

    1. 1

      Make sure your aids are paired under Settings → Connected devices.

    2. 2

      Open Phone app → Settings → Calls → Call audio routing → pick your hearing aids as default.

    3. 3

      Test by calling voicemail or a family member.

    4. 4

      If the sound goes to the phone speaker instead, tap the speaker icon during the call and pick your aids.

    Top 10 troubleshooting fixes

    The most common issues, what usually causes them, a 3-to-5 step fix, and when to call your audiologist instead.

    Insurance & costs

    A plain-English look at what you might pay and what help is out there.

    Medicare

    Original Medicare (Parts A & B) generally does not cover hearing aids. Medicare Advantage plans often include a hearing aid benefit with a partner provider — check your plan's summary of benefits each fall during open enrollment.

    VA benefits

    Veterans enrolled in VA health care can receive hearing aids at no cost if they qualify. The VA is the largest single buyer of hearing aids in the country. See our guide collection on veterans benefits for next steps.

    HSA & FSA

    Hearing aids, batteries, and repairs are HSA and FSA eligible. Keep your receipt. For 2026, a family HSA can cover up to $8,550 in pre-tax medical spending.

    OTC vs prescription

    OTC aids (Jabra Enhance, Sony CRE, Eargo, Lexie, Costco Kirkland) fit mild to moderate loss in adults. Prescription aids are better for severe loss, complex fittings, or if you have tinnitus. The biggest difference is the professional support, not the hardware.

    Captions for calls & videos

    A great backup for hearing aids. Turn on live captions and you'll catch words you might miss.

    iPhone Live Captions

    Requires iOS 16 or newer.

    Settings → Accessibility → Live Captions → turn on. Captions appear in real time for phone calls, FaceTime, and any app playing audio.

    Android Live Caption

    Works on Pixel, Samsung, and most Android 10+ phones.

    Settings → Sound → Live Caption. Or press the volume button and tap the caption icon. Runs on the phone — no internet needed.

    CaptionCall & InnoCaption

    Free certified captioned telephone services.

    CaptionCall, InnoCaption, and ClearCaptions are FCC-funded services that caption your phone calls on a dedicated device or app at no cost. Requires a self-attested hearing loss form.

    Zoom, YouTube, and streaming

    Captions on every modern video platform.

    Zoom: click CC during a call. YouTube: tap the CC icon on the player. Netflix, Prime Video, and Hulu all have captions in each title's audio menu. See our Streaming Service Picker if you haven't chosen services yet.

    For caregivers & family

    Helping a parent or spouse with hearing aids? Here's what to know.

    Remote adjustments

    Most modern aids let the audiologist send program tweaks over the app. No drive to the clinic. Helpful for limited-mobility loved ones.

    Find my aids

    Each brand's app shows the last location the aids were connected. Not live GPS, but often enough to find them in the couch cushions.

    Can't hear the doorbell?

    Add visual or vibrating alerts. A Ring doorbell that flashes a smart bulb, a bed shaker that pairs to a smoke alarm, or a flashing phone ringer all help when the aids are out.

    Don't-forget maintenance

    Five habits that double the lifespan of your aids.

    Dehumidify overnight

    Sweat and humidity shorten battery life. Use a dry aid jar or electronic dehumidifier every night.

    Wipe daily

    Soft cloth only. Never alcohol, baby wipes, or water. Clean the dome and microphone ports gently.

    Check the wax guard weekly

    Replace every 2 to 4 weeks, more often if you have oily skin. Your brand sells refill kits.

    Professional clean every 6 months

    Free at most clinics. They use an ultrasonic bath and inspect the aids under magnification.

    Zinc-air batteries — the yellow sticker

    For disposables: pull the yellow sticker, wait 1 full minute before closing the door. That 8-hour rule doubles battery life.

    Store in the case when off

    Never loose in a pocket, purse, or on the nightstand. The case keeps dust and curious pets away.

    Frequently asked questions

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    Book a Technician

    Need a human to help set this up? $15 deposit.

    You're not on your own.

    Start with one brand card above, then try one streaming task. If you get stuck on anything tech-related, a TekSure technician can walk you through it by video or phone.

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    Hearing Aids + Technology — Made Simpler | TekSure