Google has announced that the upcoming Android 15 update will enhance support for hearing aids. The update will be compatible with hearing aids that support Bluetooth LE Audio and will provide new features for managing hearing aids, such as a Quick Settings tile, the ability to change presets, and the option to view battery levels. As Android is used by billions of people worldwide, accessibility is a priority for Google, especially for the hundreds of millions of individuals with hearing loss. Android already offers assistive features like Live Captions, but dedicated devices like hearing aids are essential for addressing hearing loss. While Android has technically supported hearing aids since Android 10, the upcoming Android 15 update will significantly improve this support.
Hearing aids are electronic devices designed to assist those with hearing loss by amplifying environmental sounds. Many hearing aids support Bluetooth connectivity to allow users to engage in activities like voice calls, watching videos, and listening to music from their phones. Unlike wireless earbuds, hearing aids require long-lasting battery life, which can be challenging with standard Bluetooth connections. Bluetooth LE Audio provides a more efficient solution for streaming audio between devices. Google’s ASHA protocol and Apple’s MFi protocol have provided alternative solutions, but the lack of standardization has led to fragmentation issues, limiting accessibility for users.
Fortunately, Bluetooth LE Audio now offers a standardized way for devices to stream audio efficiently, enabling the development of universal Bluetooth hearing aids. Android 15 will support hearing aids using both Bluetooth LE Audio (LEA) and ASHA protocol, introducing a new Quick Settings tile for easier connectivity. This feature allows users to toggle accessibility features, change hearing aid presets tailored to specific listening situations, and view battery levels. These improvements, along with other accessibility updates announced by Google for Android apps, demonstrate the company’s commitment to making Android more accessible for users with hearing difficulties.