'Bluetooth Hearing Aids' is one of the current buzzwords in the hearing aid aid industry. But how can this help you, and is it something you need?

First of all, what is Bluetooth? Bluetooth is a wireless technology that allows you to connect various devices wirelessly without a cable. Most electronic gadgets today come enabled with Bluetooth. Phones, in particular, make use of this technology to connect to things like car stereos or home stereos, so that you can listen to music in your auto or at home. The process of sending music or other information from one device to another is called streaming.

This technology has made its way to hearing aids over the last few years. It works a little differently depending on your hearing needs and the type of hearing aids you have.

For several years, companies like Phonak and Oticon have made streaming devices which connect to allow users to listen to music or watch TV. A hearing aid TV Bluetooth adapter such as the Phonak TV Link makes this possible.

Behind the Ear (BTE), and RITE (Receiver-in-the-Terminal) hearing aids often have the wireless tech built-in. This means that the hearing aids come ready to go to use Bluetooth. An exampled of one of these models is the iHear RITE Rechargeable. The RITE was designed specifically for use with Apple products, and is one of the best iPhone Bluetooth hearing aid models available. RITE comes with a Bluetooth hearing aid app you can download directly to your phone. Then, you can stream music and phone calls directly to your hearing aids; they work just like wireless headphones and earbuds.

It's important to know that most of the apps the majority of brands sell are designed for iPhone, though they will work with Android phones (if you have, for example, a Samsung phone and a Bluetooth hearing aid).

Because of their much smaller size, CIC (Completely-in-the-Canal) hearing devices do not currently have this wireless capability built-in. As a result, they require Bluetooth hearing aid streamers. They need a separate device - sometimes called a "necklace" worn around the neck - which serves as a hearing aid Bluetooth adapter. An example of one of these CIC models is iHear's ICON (available here).

At EarMall, we have a completely different approach to selling hearing aids than the big companies. We eliminate the middleman to save you money.

We’ve been selling our brand, iHear, online since 1998.

All of our models, from our $249 Original iHear all the way up to our flagship iHear RITE Rechargeable and iHear Icon are one size fits all and are easy to adjust.

Here’s what just a few of our happy customers have to say:

“As good as the $6,000 RIC style Miracle Ear tried to sell me. But better warranty. They work great.”

- Henry, United States

“I just wanted to thank you for making hearing affordable for my dad. He cried when he put the iHears in because he didn't know what he'd been missing.”

- Gary, United States

“I just wanted to let you know how pleased I am with the open-fit behind-the-ear hearing device I purchased from you a couple of months ago for my left ear. It has transformed my hearing. As for the price - fantastic.”

- Ray, New Zealand

“I would recommend EarMall to anybody that has hearing loss and are looking for affordable, high quality hearing aids. I for one will never get hearing aids through a hearing clinic provider ever again.”

- Tanya, United States

Click below to take a look at each iHear to find the one that would be best for you. Each comes with a full warranty, 30 day money-back guarantee, and compares favorably with hearing aids from any other manufacturer.