I wear BTE hearing aids with an ear mould – on the UK NHS. I’ve been wearing hearing aids since 2001.
The latest hearing aids I’ve been given are Signia Stretta Aya, and the previous were an older Oticon. The Stretta ones are much more open curve than the older Oticon ones and don’t tuck behind my ear.
The ear moulds stay in my ear no problem.
I need a permeable tube because my ears produce quite a bit of condensation. The tubes are rather floppy – I don’t know if that is because they are permeable ones. (I’ve used permeable tubes before with no problem.)
I bought myself new Stretta ear hooks, actually child ones, with a tighter curve than the hook the hearing aids came with.
Even with the tighter curve due to the new ear hook I bought, the hearing aid flops out from behind my ear the moment I move. It is tucked in place when I am still, but goes “boing” like an insect antenna if I turn my head.
I am deeply fed up and frustrated. I have tried sticking it to my ear with tape, but it is fiddly and when I want to take my hearing aid off for a little while I have to find a mirror to peel off the tape, and when I want to put it back on again, I have to find a mirror and a new piece of tape to stick it back down and I have never had a good relationship with any form of sticky tape whether plasters or parcel tape. The hearing aid is just the wrong shape for my ear, and the tubes are too springy.
I have tried making the tubes more rigid, by enclosing them in a plastic drinking straw, but the “hinge” part of the tube where it goes into the mould is still very bendy and they still fall off.
Are there more rigid tubes that are permeable and where would I buy them?
Can you think of anything that will hold the hearing aids in behind my ears that is easy to remove and replace (unlike sticky tape)? A clip? Something that easily wraps around each ear and isn’t stuck in place?
Thank you for being prepared to offer help like this.
Regards
Answer from Dr. Javid:
Dear [Name],
Thank you for reaching out and explaining your situation so clearly. I know how frustrating it can be when hearing aids won’t stay securely in place.
From your description, the flopping off your ear is most likely due to the tubing being too long rather than the stiffness of the tubing itself. When the tubing is slightly too long, it pushes the hearing aid outward and causes it to spring away from the ear. You should be able to detach the tubing from the tone hook, trim it shorter, and then reattach it. If the tubing is the proper length, your hearing aid should sit securely behind your ear. You can read more about this in my article: When to Change Hearing Aid Tubing, Domes, and Wax Traps.
If you’d still like to try a different tubing style, there isn’t truly “stiffer” permeable tubing available, but there are thicker-walled tubes that provide a bit more rigidity. This would need to be fitted by your audiologist. Keep in mind that tubing naturally stiffens over time, which is why most people need to replace it every 3–6 months. Regular maintenance also helps avoid other issues, such as hearing aids cutting in and out.
If shortening the tubing and routine replacements don’t completely solve the problem, your audiologist may suggest retention options designed to keep hearing aids comfortably in place without tape.
I’d recommend starting with trimming the tubing to the proper length and asking your NHS audiology clinic about thicker tubing. Those simple changes often resolve this type of issue.
Warm regards, Dr. Jonathan Javid
Ask the Audiologist: Why Does My ReSound Vivia Hearing Aid Have Static or Clicking?
I recently received an email from a reader who wrote:
“I’m having issues with my ReSound Vivia hearing aids. I notice static, intermittency, and sometimes a clicking sound. Has anyone else had this problem, and what should I do?”
These symptoms are fairly common, and one of the most frequent causes is a clogged microphone cover.
Why the Microphone Cover Matters
ReSound hearing aids have tiny protective covers over the microphones. Over time, these covers can become blocked with dust, moisture, or debris. When that happens, you may hear static, distorted sound, or clicking noises.
If changing the microphone covers doesn’t solve the problem, the next step is to see your audiologist. In many cases, they will run a test and may need to replace the receiver if that’s the source of the issue.
Ask the Audiologist: Will Changing My Phone Number Affect My Hearing Aids?
Question: “I am thinking about changing my phone number, and I’m wondering how that will affect my hearing aids that are set up with Bluetooth on my current iPhone.”
Answer from Dr. Javid, Audiologist:
This is a common concern for hearing aid users who rely on Bluetooth features like phone calls, music streaming, and app controls. The good news is that your phone number does not affect how your hearing aids connect to your iPhone.
If You’re Keeping the Same iPhone
If you’re simply changing your phone number while keeping the same iPhone, nothing will change with your hearing aid connection. Your hearing aids will continue to pair and stream just as they always have. The phone number itself does not interact with Bluetooth technology.
If You’re Switching to a New iPhone
If you decide to upgrade or switch to a new iPhone, you will need to pair your hearing aids with the new device. This process only takes a few minutes and ensures that your phone recognizes your hearing aids for calls, streaming, and app use.
Occasionally, users experience dropped connections or interruptions when streaming. These issues are not related to your phone number either, but to how Bluetooth and your hearing aids communicate.
A complete operating manual for professionals, managers, and teams
This guide shows you how to plan, equip, and run your workday with hearing challenges—covering acoustics, tech stacks, meeting design, disclosure scripts, legal rights, team playbooks, and a 30-60-90 day plan. Internal deep dives are linked throughout.
1) Understand the Problem Like an Engineer: What Makes Work Hard to Hear?
Most “communication breakdowns” are predictable when you look at three variables:
A. Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR). Even excellent hearing aids struggle when speech isn’t sufficiently louder than the background. Open offices, HVAC hum, road noise, clattering keyboards, and side conversations all erode SNR.
B. Reverberation (Echo). Hard surfaces (glass walls, concrete, bare desks) smear consonants. If you can clap and hear a tail of sound, your room is working against you.
C. Cognitive Load & Listening Effort. When SNR and reverberation are poor, the brain spends extra energy filling in gaps—leading to fatigue, errors, and avoidance.
How to diagnose your day (10-minute audit):
List the 3 hardest situations (e.g., large hybrid meetings; quick hallway chats; client calls).
For each, rate SNR, Reverb, Distance to talker, and Visual access to faces (1–5).
Prioritize fixes for any scenario scoring ≤3 on two or more variables.
2) Build a Personal Tech Stack That Actually Solves Problems
Hearing technology works best as a system. Pair core devices with situational accessories and platform settings.
A. Hearing Aids (or Implants) as the Hub
Directional microphones & beamforming: Ask your audiologist to enable a speech-in-noise program with stronger forward focus for meetings.
Remote microphone input: This is the steepest “clarity per dollar” gain you can get.
Bluetooth streaming: Direct laptop/phone audio lowers distance and room noise.
When hearing aids aren’t enough: add remote mics or table mics to bring speech directly into your devices.
B. Remote Microphones & Table Mics (Game-Changers)
Clip-on/Presenter mics: Pass to the primary talker; ideal for lectures, town halls, ride-alongs.
Table arrays: Place in the middle of small meetings; many auto-steer to the active talker.
Multi-talker systems (DM/Roger/LE Audio broadcast): Shine in rotating-speaker discussions.
C. Loop/Telecoil & Broadcast Audio
Telecoil/induction loop: If your workplace has looped rooms, a T-coil program pipes speech straight in.
Bluetooth LE Audio / Auracast™ (where available): Enables broadcast audio in conference spaces and airports as your org upgrades.
D. Computer & Headset Layer
Noise-cancelling headphones: Useful for deep work and calls (even with hearing aids out).
External USB mics: Cardioid dynamic mics reject room noise; set input level to avoid clipping.
Audio routing: Keep a simple, repeatable path (e.g., “Laptop → USB mic + hearing-aid stream”).
6) Communication Etiquette & Disclosure—Scripts You Can Use Tomorrow
Micro-scripts for live conversations
“I want to catch everything—can we step away from the printer noise?”
“I hear best when you’re facing me. Could we sit across the table?”
“Could you repeat that last part? I missed the number after ‘thirty’.”
For managers/HR (email template)
Subject: Request for Communication Accommodations
I’m writing to request simple communication supports that will help me perform at my best. Specifically: captions enabled on video meetings, a handheld or table microphone for group sessions, and written agendas/recaps for key meetings. These supports are low-cost and will benefit multiple team members, not just me. I’m happy to discuss details and trial options next week. Thank you!
Hybrid-meeting ground rules for teams
Captions on by default.
Use the room mic; side chats in chat panel.
State your name before you speak.
Camera on for the primary speaker whenever possible.
Quieter equipment models; rubber feet under devices; door seals.
Administrative controls
“Quiet hours” for deep work.
Bookable quiet rooms for 1:1s and calls.
Rotate noisy tasks; move them away from collaborative zones.
PPE / personal strategies
Custom earplugs or earmuffs in loud areas.
Noise-cancelling headphones for solo concentration (not for conversation).
Quick win: Measure your space with a free phone SPL app. If typical background is >50 dBA in focus zones, push for treatment; intelligibility and productivity will rise for everyone.
8) Health, Energy, and Long-Term Hearing Protection
Energy management: Plan cognitively heavy tasks in your best-hearing hours. Batch calls; avoid back-to-back meetings without 5-minute “ear breaks.”
Tinnitus & stress: Use low-level sound enrichment; keep hydration and sleep consistent.
Audiology care: Annual checks; ask for a separate “work” program tailored to your office acoustics and conferencing apps.
9) Your Legal Rights & the Interactive Process (Plain English)
Under U.S. ADA Title I, you’re entitled to reasonable accommodations that help you perform essential job functions, unless they create undue hardship for the employer. Practical steps:
Bring a simple needs list (captions, mics, seating, remote mic).
Propose low-cost pilots (30 days with clear success metrics).
Ask for an official point of contact for ongoing tweaks (HR or manager).
If needed, request a short note from your audiologist describing functional needs (not private medical details).
For tailored guidance, see Job Accommodation Network (JAN)—a free, authoritative resource employers respect.
10) The Manager & Workplace Playbook (Share This Section)
Managers: You’ll gain clarity, fewer re-explains, and faster meetings.
Meeting design: Agenda, captions, microphones, and an explicit norm: “one person speaks at a time.”
Facilities: Treat acoustics as productivity infrastructure (like bandwidth). Add panels where people actually talk.
Procurement: Stock 2–3 table mics and a few clip-on transmitters that pair with hearing devices or the room system.
Culture: Praise accessible behavior publicly (repeating questions into a mic, sharing recaps). What you praise becomes the norm.
11) 30-60-90 Day Implementation Plan
Days 0–30 (stabilize)
Do the 10-minute audit; choose two priority scenarios.
Turn on captions across platforms; standardize your mic and audio path.
Meet manager: agree on meeting norms and one low-cost equipment trial (table mic or remote mic).
Days 31–60 (optimize)
Add room fixes (rug/panels) or move recurring meetings to better rooms.
Program a work profile in your hearing aids; test a remote mic with a champion coworker.
Start written action recaps for key meetings to reduce rework.
You don’t need perfect hearing to have a high-performance career. You need a designed workday: better SNR and acoustics, clear norms, the right mic strategy, captions on by default, and a small set of scripts you can deploy anywhere. Start with two pain points, pilot one tool (usually a table or remote mic), and publish simple team norms. The clarity compounding effect is real.
Video conferencing is now central to modern work and education. But for people with hearing challenges, the difference between a productive meeting and a frustrating one often comes down to audio clarity. While video resolution keeps improving, most of us know that if you can’t hear clearly, you can’t participate fully.
This guide ranks the best video conferencing tools for clarity—not just by general features, but by how well they support individuals with hearing loss, hearing aids, or communication fatigue.
Why Audio Clarity Is More Important Than Video
Research shows that poor audio contributes more to listening fatigue than poor video. In fact, the National Library of Medicine reports that individuals with even mild hearing loss exert significantly more effort during online meetings compared to those with normal hearing.
That’s why you should evaluate platforms based on:
Speech intelligibility (is speech crisp and easy to follow?)
Background noise reduction (does it block typing, traffic, or barking dogs?)
Captioning/transcription (are captions accurate and fast enough to keep up?)
Hearing aid compatibility (Bluetooth streaming, Auracast readiness, telecoil use)
Audiologist tip: Encourage coworkers to use headsets instead of laptop mics—Zoom’s AI can only process what’s captured clearly at the source.
2. Microsoft Teams – Best for Workplace Integration
For organizations using Office 365, Teams is a natural choice.
AI-powered real-time noise suppression.
Built-in live captions with speaker attribution.
Full-meeting transcriptions available after the call.
WCAG-compliant accessibility for enterprise use.
Hearing aid note: Teams integrates well with telehealth setups—patients using Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids can often stream directly from tablets or PCs.
3. Google Meet – Best Free Platform
Google Meet makes captions available for free in multiple languages, making it excellent for accessibility.
Clear AI-powered voice isolation.
Simple browser-based access (no software needed).
Free live captions—though accuracy dips in fast-paced group discussions.
Pro tip: If you rely on captions, pin the speaker window to reduce caption lag.
4. Cisco Webex – Best for Advanced Noise Removal
Webex leads in AI-driven noise cancellation, filtering out typing, paper shuffling, and even dogs barking.
Real-time translation into 100+ languages.
Consistent enterprise-grade reliability.
Supports integration with Auracast-ready devices (future-proof).
Case example: At the VA, many staff with mild hearing loss report Webex makes group meetings less fatiguing because of its superior background noise control.
5. Otter.ai (Add-On) – Best for Real-Time Notes
Not a conferencing app itself, Otter.ai integrates with Zoom, Teams, and Meet.
Real-time captions overlay during meetings.
Generates searchable meeting transcripts.
Highlights key phrases for quick review.
This is invaluable if you frequently miss words or want detailed notes without replaying recordings.
6. Whereby – Best Lightweight Browser Option
Whereby offers a clean, no-download approach to meetings.
Built-in noise reduction.
Simple interface for one-on-one or small-group meetings.
No advanced captions, but great for quick sessions.
Comparison: Which Platform Fits Your Needs?
Platform
Noise Suppression
Live Captions
Transcription
Hearing Aid Friendly
Best For
Zoom
✔️ Multiple levels
✔️ Yes
✔️ Yes
✔️ Bluetooth streaming
Overall clarity
Microsoft Teams
✔️ AI-driven
✔️ Yes + IDs
✔️ Yes
✔️ Strong enterprise use
Large organizations
Google Meet
✔️ Voice isolation
✔️ Free, multilingual
❌ Limited
✔️ Basic Bluetooth
Free everyday use
Cisco Webex
✔️ Advanced AI
✔️ Yes
✔️ Yes
✔️ Auracast future-ready
Noise control
Otter.ai
N/A
✔️ Overlay
✔️ Exportable
✔️ Works with other apps
Captioning & notes
Whereby
✔️ Basic
❌ No
❌ No
✔️ Simple setups
One-on-one chats
How to Optimize Clarity on Any Platform
Even the best platform can fail if settings aren’t optimized. Try:
Use headphones or hearing aids with direct streaming instead of laptop speakers.
Enable high-fidelity/“original audio” modes when presenting.
Ask coworkers to mute when not speaking—less noise helps everyone.
Turn on captions and transcripts to reduce listening fatigue.
Q: Which platform works best with hearing aids? A: Zoom and Teams are the most consistent, especially with Bluetooth LE devices. Webex will likely lead once Auracast broadcast audio becomes standard.
Q: Do noise-canceling features make voices sound unnatural? A: Some mild distortion can occur, but for most users with hearing loss, the benefits outweigh the trade-offs. Zoom and Webex are strongest at balancing this.
Q: Can captions keep up with fast speakers? A: Automated captions sometimes fall behind in rapid discussions. For accuracy, CART (human captioning) remains the gold standard—but platforms like Otter.ai help fill the gap.
Final Thoughts
The best video conferencing platform depends on your hearing needs:
Zoom for overall accessibility and clarity.
Teams for enterprise use.
Google Meet for free, multilingual captions.
Webex for advanced noise suppression.
Otter.ai for captioning and transcripts.
By combining the right platform with hearing-friendly hardware and settings, you can reduce fatigue, improve participation, and ensure your voice is heard just as clearly as you hear others.
If hearing questions is hard, front-load success: tell the room what you need, control the mic flow, turn on captions, repeat each question, and use a moderator or written Q&A as backup. Pack a remote mic / ALD and a one-slide Q&A instruction. Leave a way to follow up in writing.
1) Before the talk: set yourself up to hear
A) Email the organizer (template you can paste)
Subject: Quick accessibility request for Q&A
Hi [Name], to ensure I catch audience questions accurately, could we: • Use a single audience mic (or have a moderator repeat each question). • Keep front lights on during Q&A for lip-reading. • Enable live captions (Zoom/Teams/Slides) if hybrid/recorded. • Reserve front-row seating for Q&A askers if there’s no mic. I may also bring a small remote mic/receiver. Thank you! —[Your Name]
Why it helps: You’re creating mic discipline, lighting for speech-reading, and a caption plan before you step on stage.
B) Room, seating, and lighting
Keep house lights up during Q&A to preserve visual cues.
Position yourself closer to askers; avoid standing under noisy HVAC.
If no audience mic, designate a “Q&A aisle” or askers to stand before speaking.
C) Tech stack (choose 1–2 you trust)
Remote microphone / ALD: A handheld or clip-on mic routed to your hearing aids or receiver can be a game-changer when passed to audience members. Learn more about assistive listening technologies from NIDCD.
Live captions: Turn on Zoom/Teams live captions or Google Slides captions. Ask participants to type questions in chat during hybrid events. See the National Deaf Center’s guide to real-time captioning.
Question capture: Provide a QR code to a form or Slido/Mentimeter so questions arrive in writing as backup.
2) Open strong: disclose, set ground rules, reduce noise
Micro-script (10 seconds):
“To make Q&A accurate for everyone, please use the mic and speak one at a time. I’ll repeat each question before answering. If I miss something, I’ll ask you to repeat—thanks!”
Keep side doors closed; ask ushers to pause traffic during Q&A.
Post a Q&A slide (below) to reinforce the ground rules visually.
On-slide text you can copy: Q&A Ground Rules
One person at a time • 2) Use the mic / speak clearly • 3) I’ll repeat your question • 4) You can also scan the QR to submit in writing
Repeat or rephrase every question: confirms accuracy and helps the whole room. “So I heard ‘Do these results apply to younger patients?’—great question.”
Keep the mic moving: no mic, no question. If there’s no mic, askers stand and face you.
Use “ask to repeat” scripts without apology:
“Could you repeat that so I catch it exactly?”
“Two parts: first was X—what was the second?”
“One more time, a little slower—thank you.”
Slow the room: make eye contact, hold your hand up slightly to stop overlap, and call on people by turn.
Accents / fast talkers: invite them to type or hand you the mic; ask a moderator to echo their question.
Email organizer with mic/lighting/captions requests
Pack remote mic/receiver (+ spare batteries)
Prepare QR link for written questions
Add final Q&A rules slide (mic, one-at-a-time, repetition)
Turn on live captions (or confirm CART)
Assign a moderator to repeat questions and watch chat
At open: disclose needs & ground rules (10-second script)
During Q&A: repeat/rephrase every question
After: share slides + contact; invite written follow-ups
FAQs
What if there’s no audience mic? Ask askers to stand, face you, and speak one at a time; move closer if safe, and repeat the question before answering. Invite written questions as backup.
Should I disclose my hearing needs? A brief, confident disclosure at the start prevents awkwardness and improves accuracy for everyone.
Are captions enough? Captions help, but accuracy varies. Pair captions with mic discipline and repetition. For larger events, coordinate CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation).
What if I wear hearing aids? Consider a remote mic or venue ALD that routes the asker’s voice directly to your devices. If you prefer headsets sometimes, we compare options in Best Headphones for Productivity and Clarity.
