Beltone announced that Beltone Imagine hearing aids will now support hands-free calls to iPhone and iPad starting February 25.

With a free software update to the hearing aid, Beltone Imagine users will now be able to make and answer phone or FaceTime calls simply by tapping a button, using them like any other earbuds to listen and talk with friends, family, or co-workers.

Current Beltone patients with Beltone Imagine hearing aids and compatible Apple devices can utilize the hands-free feature by visiting their local Beltone office and updating the software. The recently announced new Beltone Imagine rechargeable BTE hearing aids, also now available, will already have the software needed for the hands-free feature.

This advance comes at a time when phone calls, video chats, and virtual meetings have surged as ways to stay connected. While Beltone hearing aids already support streaming audio of calls, music, and TV, “this new bi-directional capability allows the hearing aid microphones to pick up the person’s voice so they can enjoy conversations completely hands-free,” according to the company’s announcement.

“We’re excited Beltone patients can use their hearing aids as a hands-free device for making calls on their iPhone,” said Mike Halloran, Beltone President. “Now taking phones calls will be more convenient and comfortable for them. They won’t have to stop what they are doing…cooking, typing, walking, commuting…just to take a call. It’s yet another way Beltone stays right beside our patients, giving them great features and services that allow them to live life to the fullest.”  

This feature is compatible with iPhone 11 or later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation and 4th generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation and 2nd generation), iPad Air (4th generation), and iPad mini (6th generation), running iOS 15.2 and iPadOS 15.2 or later.

Beltone Imagine is available exclusively at Beltone Hearing Centers nationwide. Every Beltone hearing aid automatically includes BelCare, a lifetime care and protection service available only with Beltone. Beltone Imagine hearing aids are an authorized Made for iPhone accessory and have been certified to meet Apple performance standards.

About Beltone

Chicago-based Beltone is part of the GN Group. Beltone provides products, services, and support for its hearing care network that operates in more than 1,500 offices across the United States and Canada.

Source: Beltone

Image: Beltone