Windows 10 Mobile needs to support Hearing Aids Bluetooth connections

[postcw]

I just recently had to get a hearing aid only to find out that NONE of the Hearing Aid Bluetooth is supported by Windows 10 Mobile. I was told to get an IPhone or Android phone since all of those are supported. Whether it is the Hearing Aid manufactures or Microsoft that is at fault for this, Microsoft should make a concerted effort to support hearing aid Bluetooth connections or Microsoft will be losing more customers to IPhone and/or Android. I've been a faithful supported of Windows phones for more than 10 years but I find that this might be the turning point for leaving Windows Mobile. I believe Microsoft should make a concerted effort to support the hearing aid Bluetooth connections. It would also be nice if all Windows 10 devices supports Hearing Aid Bluetooth so that the hearing impaired don't have to take our Hearing Aids out while listing to music or videos on our devices.

 

[Chintan Gohel]

Good point and I hope you get positive feedback on this soon

Suggest in the feedback app in the phone

 

[Brisebear]

I am concerned with the level of what I determine to be necessary features of smart phones these day, that are missing from Windows phones. I have faithfully (blindly) been supportive of the Windows mobile phones, having had seven phones to date and hoping that the apps everyone else rave about will be available to Windows OS soon. So now I am looking at the prospect of hearing aids and was hoping to play down the impact of wearing these devices by having the technology of the earpieces up to today's expectations of connectivity. Sadly, it appears that my current mobile phone, the flagship of Microsoft (950XL) is the weakest (or dare I say, the broken) link in my abilities to achieve this.

 

[daimv]

What does "not supported" mean in this case ? What does a bluetooth hearing aid do? I mean what does it do with bluetooth? Does it work like headphones? Because bluetooth headphones are supported. I would like to know more out of curiosity.

 

[Brisebear]

All of the hearing device manufacturers that provide the devices that I have been recommended promote apps for these devices that enable Bluetooth connectivity for the earpieces. However none of these apps use the Windows OS, just Apple or Android. None of the manufacturers appear to have time or faith in the Windows OS to produce these apps for the hearing impaired.
Whilst it's nice to promote new X Box games, fun apps and sometimes useful "business" apps, it is clear that Microsoft is not assisting these companies to include apps for their devices in the Windows OS format. And even if and when apps are created, they appear clunky by comparison, have less functionality or are not updated as frequently for the users.

 

[daimv]

I see.
Well, I guess what you as a user can do is complain with these companies to put some pressure on them to develop a W10M app, and also to nag Microsoft to help I guess. Maybe via user feedback.
Still, what exactly do those apps do? If you try to connect the device to a Windows 10 Mobile phone, maybe it already works like normal bluetooth headphones.
Otherwise, if the devices have standard communication protocols, maybe third party apps can be developed.