Made-for-Apple technology is improving the function of hearing aids.
People with hearing aids can now stream audio directly into their hearing aids, from iPads and iPhones via Bluetooth.
There are nearly four dozen hearing aids that are compatible with the technology.
One benefit of this new protocol is that the user no longer has to deal with 'streamer' devices that connect the hearing aid to the telephone. Instead, music or phone calls go directly to the hearing aid, much like Bluetooth headphones.
It's also less obvious to others that the person is using hearing aids at all.
At this time, there is not a similar protocol for Android phone users, although they can find out about hearing aid battery levels via their smart phones.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.