BlueTooth capable hearing aids - a question and request for advice

Fairly new, almost top of the line, LG TV. Apparently, the USB port supplying power to the TV Connector is ALWAYS on if the TV is plugged in. HOWEVER, the TV Connector DOES disconnect from my HAs when the TV is turned off.

Are the brio 3 bluetooth? If so yes, so if it’s based on maval they use the same, as a side note, the newer versions can use the the older TVLink II connecter from belong, venture etc Unitron branded ones as well, simply because it’s a straight classic Bluetooth connection.

I think Brio 3 are based on Audeo B. It was confusing as they had a non BT version initially and then they came out with the Audeo B Direct which had limited Bluetooth, but memory is vague. This was pre Marvel, but the beginning of Phonak’s Bluetooth.

4 Likes

There were at least TWO models of Phonak Breo 3 sold by Costco. I know this because my first pair crapped out within the warranty period and were replaced by the newer model that DOES have Bluetooth. the first did NOT.

I THINK the TV connector is the same.

At least once more I MUST THANK ALL of you for responding. This has been both helpful and educational. You are all WONDERFUL people!

2 Likes

Maybe @1Bluejay could share some knowledge. She seems to get new aids every 5 minutes :slight_smile:

1 Like

Ahh yeah that was the first with the sword chip, it was bluetooth to one side only, silly idea it was!

1 Like

Thanks! That sounds right. I knew there was something pretty limited about it but couldn’t remember. The first “hands free” hearing aid, but only to one ear.

2 Likes

I recall my parents having issues a few years ago with one HA connecting to one of their partner’s HAs, inadvertently - could it be related to that?

No, data only port does not exist. Probably limited to 500 milliamps (that’s the old USB power spec), and the TV connector needed more. Usually devices that need more have a power jack on them so you can plug in an external power pack.

OK wiseacre, not every 5 minutes. More like every 5 days, okay? :wink:

All jesting aside, I got my Marvels in 2019, and in the past year, bought 2 pairs of Phonak Lumity Life aids cuz I wanted an identical pair as backup for once in my life - instead of older ones going down the food chain.

But as for TV Connectors, these devices work for everything from Phonak Audeo B-Direct (which I used it with from 2016-19), to the Phonak Marvel and now even the new Lumity Life aids I have. That is FABULOUS for me, as I can even travel with the TV Connector as needed, if I’m going to need to hook it up to someone else’s TV.

5 Likes

I was also hoping you could shed some light on bluetooth for the older aids. I recall you had the B-Directs. They were just to one ear right? Did they have on-board mics for talking hands-free? Or did you have to hold the phone up to your mouth?
Before I go digging and reading everything…I was hoping you would recall.

You encouraged me to look to verify. Yes, Audeo B-Direct supports hands free calling with compatible phones. Here’ Phonak’s lit. Once you’re in the PDF do a search for “hands” and it will come up, or scroll to page 20. https://www.phonak.com/content/dam/phonak/HQ/en/solution/products/audeo_b/documents/user_guide_audeo_b-direct_029-0530.pdf

2 Likes

I just put a meter on my TV Connector 2.0 and the power consumption is .20A at 4.89V (0.978W).

WH

Edit: added photo of usb tester

6 Likes

A real energy hog! :grinning:

I had wondered about the comment from that person. It didn’t seem right. Something else is going on with their USB A port.

1 Like

The tv connector 2.0 was using toslink. I’m not going to go into all the permutations but here is a TV Connector 1.1 using aux (analog) audio cable.

0.54W.

WH

3 Likes

They are both rated for 1/2 amp at 5v.

WH

2 Likes

Ah, got it! Yes, I do recall that even my Phonak Audeo B-Direct aids of 2016 didn’t require any necklace to use with my cell phone. I was just paired + connected to the cell phone from my aids.

And yes, it only streamed audio to ONE ear (my choice?!) - so that was my LEFT ear. That alone made the aids very sub-optimal for the long haul, so I was impressed when Marvel let me pair + connect to as many as 2 devices and also hands-free like the Audeo B-Direct aids.

The mics were on my aids, so I didn’t need to hold the phone up to or near my ear for either model of aids. Hope that helps! :slightly_smiling_face:

2 Likes

You talk out of your ear?! :slight_smile:

1 Like

You talk out of your ear?! :slight_smile:

No. My HAT.

But I wanted to clarify that my Phonak aids dating back to 2016 paired + connected quite well with my cell phones. That phone would be on a table, desk or even the IRONING board near me. Hand-free talking at its finest.

2 Likes