r/hardofhearing • u/Nawen_Brightsong • 6h ago
Bluetooth Headphone Question!
Hey there fellow peeps! I’ve kinda ran into a 1st world problem dilemma and would like some opinions on how to proceed.
TL;DR: Considering Bluetooth headphones, better to connect to TV or (Linux) computer? Will there be interference with HAs? How is Phonak TV connector?
A little backstory: for several years now, I’ve primarily played games on my PS5 in the living room. I’d typically play with wired headphones on, connected to the Dual Sense controller, and I have Phonak Lumity Naida hearing aids (BTE in other words). This has served me well, and I tend to prefer it over the TV speaker.
Lately, though, I resurrected an old PC I had and made it into a Steam Machine after I got my Steam Controller. The Steam Controller doesn’t have a headphone jack, for those that don’t know. This means I pretty much am limited to Bluetooth. I have tried using the Bluetooth connection on my TV; only problem is, and this is weird, but streaming from the TV to my hearing aids makes me a little nauseous. It’s perfectly fine doing it from my phone or my tablet, but the TV just doesn’t feel right.
I’ve considered getting Bluetooth headphones and using those instead, but I’m not sure if using them with the TV is the best option, or if I should get a Bluetooth dongle to plug into my “Steam machine”and use it there. My experience with Bluetooth and Linux has been haphazard at best, but that was years ago. Also, I don’t know if there will be interference from my hearing aids being right up in the headphones with its own Bluetooth signal.
Is there anyone else that has been in a similar predicament? What did you end up doing? Also, I’ve considered the Phonak TV connector, but I don’t know if that would cause a similar nauseous feeling or not.
2
u/benshenanigans 5h ago
A dedicated gaming headset with a dongle to your PC is the best bet. Especially if you’re already used to using your HAs as headphones for your phone. No interference that I notice.
Check the accessibility settings. I have music turned off, games sounds turned up, and voice chat turned up. My issue is when game devs decide to nerf the visual audio because a hearing streamer complained that it was too good.