Which Bluetooth (TV) Transmitter is compatible with Audeo L-R/RT 90?

Hearing Aids
#1

So I’m finally enjoying my hearing aids after doing a lot of tweaking to them.

When I connect my HA’s to my streaming device (Roku) the sounds are not delayed. The issue is, the Roku turn off the TV audio and then my wife can’t hear it. So I purchased a cheap Bluetooth 5.2 transmitter ($24 USD) but the audio is very delayed. I’m already returning the device.

I own Phonak Audeo L-R/RT 90 hearing aids. Reading the specs it supports Bluetooth 4.2, profiles HFP and A2DP.

When looking to purchase a transmitter for my TV I find other things called CODEX with references to SBC aptX, aptX Low Latency, aptX HD.

When looking for devices I like the Sennheiser but I didn’t see any volume control on the transmitter, I do want to lower the volume if I need to offset the hearing aid volume a bit.

I found this one, a 1Mii but not sure if it’s worth a hill of beans

And of course I could shoot for the moon and buy the Phonak TV Connect for a ton of money, but I’d rather not.

I’m certain this topic has been discussed several times before but scanning the forum and searching, close on some threads but no cookie.

I know that if my Roku has near zero latency, I should be able to get another device and make me and the wife happy.

I would love to hear form people who have purchased other branded devices with preferably outstanding performance.

Input to the transmitter can be 3.5mm Audio plug or TOS optical, I can support either connection.

Thank you in advance.

#2

That’s interesting with the Roku. The latency is covered by aptx. The Phonaks don’t have that.
But that Roku… ???

#3

So the Phonaks don’t have that? Odd. But there must be examples from people who do use Bluetooth with a TV and there is low latency, otherwise it would drive most people crazy to watch all that delay. That was the main reason for my posting, to find out other options, any devices where people have had great success that also doesn’t break the bank. I have to assume that the Phonak TV Connect has no perceivable latency as well or wouldn’t we be hearing of latency problems?

Yes, I have a Roku Ultra and there is a Wireless Headphone option and there is no perceived latency. Well to be completely honest, I think there is a very slight delay but it’s very difficult to tell, or I’m just hyper aware and trying to find a delay. Also, if Phonak is selling the TV Connector, I would have to assume there is no visual latency with that product too, or I certainly would not buy it.

I would be happy using the Roku if they would generate a firmware change to allow the option of the TV audio to remain on while the wireless headphone option was active. Yes, I did submit this as a Feature Request for the Hearing Aid world and received an automated answer. I’d buy another Roku Ultra in a heart beat, I really like this device. I own 3 other Roku’s (Roku TV and standalone 3rd Gen Roku’s) and I really like them. I do have an Amazon Fire Cube, not tried to use it for wireless audio, not even sure it supports it. Guess I will have to see it that is a feature and if so, how that works. But after vacation.

So if there are any testimonials on third party Bluetooth TV transmitters, I’m all ears (Ha Ha). I will certainly post any results I get from my testing of devices. In fact, here is one not to buy for the purpose of watching TV, the one I’m returning today. It’s nice and easy to use, after thinking about the air plane usage it could be very good for that so long as you are not watching video content, but music, works great with my 2 weeks of use. My guess is there was a good .2 second delay in the audio. Sorry, I don’t have any device to measure that. It sounds like a far away echo, like in a very large building, not in a canyon.

And again, thanks for any postings helping me along the way of locating a good working product, preferably a 3rd party product that costs much less. I will bite the bullet and purchase the TV Connect and pay the big money if after then next two purchases I don’t find a third party solution.

#4

Now I’m looking to see if my Phonak hearing aids have a firmware upgrade to make them aptX capable. It’s only a CODEX, right? or is it also a chipset difference? I fear the latter.

#5

Personally I’d get a used Phonak TV Connect off of EBay.

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#6

Just out of interest it’s really difficult to get any earbuds that have low lip-sync latency when watching the TV with a Bluetooth connection. The AptX codec isn’t very good in my experience. The best codec was AptX LL (Low Latency) which now isn’t used much. For that reason for my needs I actually use a pair of Phonak hearing aids with their TV Connector as the latency is so minimal.

#7

Thank you both for your input. I may very well end up doing that. But I still would like to pursue other options, not only for myself but because there are really no resources that specify what works well and what doesn’t. I’ll give is a few days and hope others chime in and either state the TV Connect is the only way to go with Phonak hearing aids or with some luck, someone says a third party option exists.

#8

I found a bluetooth transmitter that would indicate the functioning of aptx. I found a bluetooth headphone receiver that lit up that indicator. I watched some video. No latency. I connected the Phonaks (KS10’s) to the transmitter. No indicator. Latency.
The tv connector works beautifully. I second buying a used/refurbed one off ebay.

1 Like
#9

I use Bluetooth with my Audeo Lumity aids a lot. I use Bluetooth with a TV but mainly my PC and Phone.
With my PC there is sometimes a very small lag with the video but it’s really not very noticeable at all, it’s about equivalent to the lag you’d get from a speaker 20 feet way.
It manifests as a very minor delay if somebody claps but it isn’t large enough to cause noticeable lip sync issues
With my Sony TV there are no sync issues at all as the TV handles the picture sync automatically. With My Pixel 6 I’ve also never noticed an audio delay whilst watching video at all.

I do have a Phonak TV Connector 2 but I rarely use it as it can cause quite bad WiFi interference which is a bit of an issue with watching Nertflix on a wireless network.

#10

Get the Phonak TV Connector. Uses way less batteries than other solutions and it works flawlessly. I think it uses a different wireless protocol and that’s why you get less battery drain. I bought a used one off of Facebook marketplace.

Jordan

#11

I second @JordanK. I overheard my audi talking to Phonak Support and found out that the Lumitys do indeed connect to the TV Connector using a proprietary wireless protocol. I am using the TV Connector because I have had all sorts of other Bluetooth transponder issues and life is too short.

#12

I don’t think the TV fixes sync issues for the guy wearing the Bluetooth hearing aids and the other people in the room. It’s one or the other. Theoretically, you could delay the picture and the sound to the speakers so the Bluetooth hearing aids or headphones get audio at roughly the right time. I doubt that happens.

Without AptX in the aids this will have no effect, as you found out.

#13

No it isn’t possible at all due to the BT delay I wasn’t suggesting that as it would require new physics.

I’m actually in the fortunate situation where I regard a normal TV volume as quite loud and I don’t need any assistance apart from my hearing aids when watching TV, even with teenagers who seem to have the volume barely above 0.
I only use Bluetooth or the TV Connector when watching TV on my own and I don’t want to disturb others.

Even the TV Connector adds a delay if you use any sound processing in a sound bar or audio receiver.
It’s only really noticeable at high volume but it’s definitely there. It can be removed by turning up the Bluetooth vs background volume on the HAs but then you can’t hear the other people that you are watching TV with so it kind of defeats the purpose.

The TV connector also can’t handle modern 7.1 sound formats that most streaming services use and so it means that any users are restricted to 5.1 or stereo which means that your fellow viewers won’t benefit from things like Dolby Atmos.

#14

I can’t tell you the details, but my husband, an electrical engineer, researched this several months ago, tried various options, and we ended up using the recharging base for my Roger On which my audi told us works as a TV connector. It has no latency and allows the TV to work for others in the room. I’m sure the Phonak tv connector works as well for less - unless you have an On. Buying one on EBay might be a way to get a TV connector at a better price.

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#15

I normally use the Phone TV-Link but have several, and sometimes use, a “Wireless Audio Bluetooth Adapter 5.0 aptX. Model: TT-BA09. (71) $49.99 USD. Dual Mode Wireless Adapter: Use Transmitter or Receiver mode to add wireless connectivity to your wired device and stream music wirelessly. Seriously Accurate Sound: Bluetooth 5.0 and aptX Low Latency codec provides high fidelity lag-free audio”. Has most any input/output one would want.

Latency is very similar to the TV-Link.

#16

… when used to stream to Phonak hearing aids?

#17

I want to thank everyone who has responded to my question. It would be nice if there was a section on this forum that covered this topic for future people who have the same question. It’s actually difficult to move into the Hearing Aid world and I’m no different. Lots of questions and we all want the absolute best sound we can achieve.

I understand now that there is really only one option to watch TV with the lowest possibly latency for the Phonak HA’s is their own TV Connector due to a proprietary format. It’s a good marketing ploy. aptX LL would have been nice and maybe it could be a software upgrade in the future, but there goes a marketing advancement for Phonak. So I’m off to locate a TV Connector. I’m actually going to find out if the Veterans Association will supply one for free. Just came to mind. Free is good.

1 Like
#18

Yes, I have older Phonak aids using ComPilot II.

#19

The VA will absolutely give you one if you request it. Mine Roger docking station sends the signal to my hearing aids. VA told me that If I thought I needed the Phonak TV Connector they would supply it. Turns out the Docking Station is sufficient for me on those rare occasions that I can’t hear the TV without it.
Best of luck with the VA
Dan