- Android 16 will deliver better support for LE Audio hearing aids, i.e. hearing aids that connect through Bluetooth LE Audio.
- The update includes new ambient volume controls that let you adjust the level of external sound.
- It also adds a feature that lets users switch between the built-in mics on hearing aids and the mic on the phone during voice calls.
Google is constantly working to make Android more accessible, and at last week’s Galaxy Unpacked event, the company announced that it was launching LE Audio compatibility for hearing aids. Google didn’t share many details about this new feature, except that Android would be getting a new dialog that lets users quickly change presets. With the release of the first Android 16 beta the following day, though, we learned a bit more information about how Google is improving hearing aid support in Android.
In case you aren’t aware, LE Audio is the latest Bluetooth audio standard, replacing Bluetooth Classic Audio profiles like A2DP. It’s composed of a set of Bluetooth profiles that all operate over Bluetooth Low Energy. These profiles enable new features like Auracast, i.e. audio broadcasting over Bluetooth, and hearing aid support. Hearing aids that use LE Audio enjoy enhanced performance, better battery life, and improved compatibility across various platforms.