Stream sound to your hearing aids or implants

Our three suggested streaming methods are:

1. Your hearing-device manufacturer’s TV transmitter — usually the easiest method.
2. Bluetooth Auracast — a future-proof solution that works with multiple devices.
3. Your Smartphone — a low-cost alternative that needs a special cable and set-up.

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How do people normally listen to Konnekt?

About 98% of Konnekt customers use one of two listening methods:

Hands-free

Many customers simply use the built-in microphone and either the internal speakers or our powered external speaker.

• Binaural sound — listen with both ears.
• Nothing to pick up or hold — ideal for people with limited mobility or dexterity.
• Ideal for long conversations.

Sound connections available on Konnekt

Konnekt supports three types of audio connection:

• 3.5 mm analogue audio
• USB audio
• Bluetooth

3.5 mm audio socket

The 3.5 mm sound socket can connect to powered speakers for louder ringing and voice, as well as to microphones, audio transmitters and other sound devices.

When the 3.5 mm socket is in use for sound output, the internal speakers are disabled.

USB

Konnekt has four USB-A sockets. They can support USB audio devices including:

• Our optional USB no-cradle handset.
• USB headsets, headphones, speakers and microphones.
• Compatible USB sound adapters and Bluetooth audio transmitters.

The USB sockets can also conveniently provide power to suitable accessories, such as our powered external speaker or some hearing-device transmitters.

Stream directly to hearing aids or implants

Direct streaming sends the caller’s voice directly to your hearing aids or cochlear implants. This can be particularly helpful when:

• Background noise makes speech difficult to understand.
• You need sound delivered to two hearing devices.
• You want clearer sound without increasing room volume.
• Other people are nearby and you want greater privacy.

Using the external speaker while you connect

For the three streaming methods below, we recommend using our 3.5 mm Y-splitter and powered external speaker.

When you answer a call:

• Ringing and the caller’s voice are initially heard through the external speaker.
• Start receiving the streamed sound through your hearing aids or implants.
• Once you hear the streamed sound, turn down the external speaker’s own volume control.
• After the call, turn the speaker volume back up, ready for the next call.

This means you can answer calls immediately, without missing the start of the conversation while connecting your hearing devices.

Show this page to your audiologist

Your audiologist can help select the best method for your particular hearing devices and configure them so that switching to streamed sound is as easy as possible. Depending on your hearing aids or implants, starting a stream may require either:

• Double-tapping or pressing a button on a hearing aid.
• Pressing a button on a small remote control.
• Selecting the stream using a Smartphone app.
• Nothing at all. Some hearing devices can switch automatically when streamed sound becomes available.

Funding may be available

Eligible assistive technology can often be funded through government programs such as aged-care or disability funding.

Three ways to connect

Here are 3 ways you can send Konnekt sound to your hearing aids / implants:

• Hearing-device manufacturer’s TV streamer. Easiest. Recommended.
• Auracast transmitter. Future-proof. Sends to multiple devices or people.
• Existing Smartphone. Lowest cost. Requires special cable and set-up.

The remote control can be particularly useful for someone who finds pressing or double-tapping a hearing aid difficult.

Connecting it to Konnekt

Ask Konnekt to supply:

• A 3.5 mm stereo Y-splitter cable; and
• Our powered external speaker.

Connect one side of the splitter to the external speaker and the other to the TV transmitter.

Depending on the transmitter’s audio input connectors and supplied cables, you may also need:

• A 3.5 mm stereo male-to-male audio cable; and/or
• A 3.5 mm stereo to left-and-right RCA adapter cable.

Konnekt can help you select the right cable.

Most TV transmitters require USB power. One of Konnekt’s USB sockets can provide this power, reducing the need for power outlets. If powering the transmitter from the Konnekt introduces a faint humming noise, ask for our no-cost 3.5 mm inline noise filter (line isolator).

Ask your audiologist to help

Ask your audiologist to:

• Pair the transmitter with your hearing aids or implants.
• Configure an easy button press or double-tap to select streaming.
• Configure automatic switching, if your hearing devices support it.
• Set up a compatible remote control if this would make operation easier.

2. Bluetooth Auracast — universal and future-proof

Auracast is our second choice, particularly for people with newer hearing aids or implants.

Auracast is a new technology built on Bluetooth Low Energy Audio that’s used in public venues such as theatres, cinemas and art galleries. A single audio source can stream sound to multiple nearby receivers without needing to pair. A sound stream can either be public or require a Broadcast Code (password).

Advantages

• Works with Auracast-compatible hearing devices from different manufacturers, including potentially a hearing aid from one manufacturer and an implant from another at the same time.
• More future-proof if you later change hearing-aid or implant brand.
• Excellent digital wireless sound.

Disadvantages

• Requires hearing aids or implants that support Auracast.
• You need to use your hearing-device Smartphone app to select the stream.
  Therefore it is better suited to people reasonably comfortable using Smartphone apps.
• Compatibility and operation vary between hearing-device models.

Recommended type of Auracast transmitter

For Konnekt, we generally prefer an Auracast transmitter with an analogue audio input rather than an Auracast USB dongle. This allows the Konnekt sound to be split between:

• Konnekt’s powered external speaker; and
• The Auracast transmitter.

The speaker therefore remains available while you select the Auracast stream.

Example 1: Audeara BT-03 Auracast Transmitter

We recommend the BT-03 for its:

• Ease of use, minimalist design and inclusion of cables.
• Automatic operation. Streaming starts when connected.
• It also works with Auracast ear buds and headphones.

It even has a loop audio output, so you can use it with our external speaker without a Y-splitter cable.

The Audeara BT-03 comes without a Broadcast Code (password). If you purchase from Konnekt, we can configure a Broadcast Code so that only your hearing devices will be able to connect (and easily reconnect) to your stream.

Example 2: Starkey StarLink Edge TV Streamer

The Starkey StarLink Edge TV Streamer also supports Auracast. That means it can broadcast to compatible Auracast hearing devices, including devices from other manufacturers.

• It comes configured with a Broadcast Code (printed on the base).
• It starts streaming automatically when it detects sound from the Konnekt (such as ringing or voice).
• Streaming stops after 60 seconds of silence, which might help your hearing device switch back to room mode automatically after the call.

USB Auracast transmitters

USB Auracast transmitters are also available and can cost considerably less. However, we don’t currently recommend these as our first choice for Konnekt.

A USB transmitter becomes a separate Konnekt sound output. With our present configuration, this means the internal or optional external speaker cannot simultaneously play the caller’s voice while you are preparing your hearing aids to receive the stream. You could therefore miss the beginning of the conversation.

The 3.5 mm splitter arrangement avoids this problem.

Connecting an Auracast transmitter

Ask Konnekt to supply:

• Our powered external speaker; and
• Our 3.5 mm stereo Y-splitter (not needed if you use the Audeara BT-03).

For the Audeara BT-03, simply connect:

• The Konnekt 3.5 mm audio socket to the BT-03 audio input, via Audeara’s included 3.5 mm stereo cable.
• The Konnekt powered external speaker to the BT-03 audio output.

For other Auracast transmitters, connect:

• One splitter output to the powered speaker.
• The other splitter output to the Auracast transmitter. Konnekt can help if an adapter cable is required.

Most transmitters can be powered from one of Konnekt’s USB sockets.

Use your hearing device’s Smartphone app to select the Auracast stream. The first time, you may need to enter the stream’s Broadcast Code (password) into your Smartphone app. The Broadcast Code may be printed on the base of the transmitter. Your Smartphone can then remember the stream for subsequent calls.

3. Smartphone streaming, a low-cost alternative

This is our third choice. It requires a special cable and set-up.

A Smartphone can act as the bridge between Konnekt and compatible hearing aids, cochlear implants, earbuds or headphones.

Advantages

• Low cost if you already have a compatible Smartphone.
• Uses your Smartphone’s existing ability to stream sound to your hearing devices.
• Can potentially work with hearing aids, cochlear implants, Bluetooth earbuds and headphones.

Disadvantages

• Requires a cable between Konnekt and your Smartphone during calls.
• Requires you to start a suitable ‘monitoring’ Smartphone app.
• Operation depends upon the Smartphone, operating system, app and hearing device.
• It may take more steps to start listening than using a dedicated TV transmitter.

A second option (USA only) is the Cubilux USB-C to RCA audio capture cable, with which you’ll also need a twin RCA female to stereo 3.5 mm male audio cable.

You will also use:

• The Konnekt 3.5 mm stereo Y-splitter.
• The Konnekt powered external speaker with adjustable volume.

Apple iPhone

Apple uses a custom Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol known as MFi (short for Made for iPhone, or Made for iOS/iPadOS) to stream audio directly to compatible devices.

Live Listen is an accessibility feature in Apple iPhones. Live Listen can send microphone sound to compatible hearing aids, implants and some Apple/Beats listening devices.

We successfully tested Live Listen with a Konnekt Captioning Videophone, Sonos Line-In Adapter, Apple iPhone or iPad, and Starkey Edge AI hearing aids. The My Starkey hearing-aid app enabled additional control of volume, as well as selection of a custom hearing profile.

We are confident but not certain that this configuration can be used with other iPhone-compatible hearing devices. The cable is low in cost.