Better hearing aids plus small meeting tweaks cut listening fatigue and help people with hearing loss stay engaged online
Virtual meetings are now routine at work and beyond. For people with hearing loss, however, video calls can be exhausting and isolating. Variable audio quality, limited visual cues and overlapping speech make conversations harder to follow and increase listening effort.
The good news is that a mix of improved hearing aid technology and practical meeting adjustments is making digital spaces easier to navigate.
Why video calls are so demanding
Unlike face-to-face conversations, virtual meetings often distort sound and reduce access to lip movements and facial expressions. Delays, inconsistent microphones and background noise force the brain to work harder to fill in gaps.
Over time, that extra effort leads to fatigue and disengagement. Many people with hearing loss report asking for repetition less often online, choosing instead to soldier on quietly.
Streaming sound straight to hearing aids
Direct audio streaming has become a core feature of modern hearing aids. Pairing devices with laptops, tablets or phones delivers clearer and more consistent sound than relying on built-in speakers.
Streaming reduces background noise and feedback, helping speech cut through. Keeping device firmware updated and checking connections before important calls can prevent avoidable problems.
Using noise reduction and directional settings
Noise-reduction algorithms and directional microphones can suppress sounds such as typing, traffic or household noise. These features can often be adjusted automatically when streaming begins or tweaked manually via a companion app.
For many users, fine-tuning these settings makes the difference between following a discussion and feeling overwhelmed.
Control during the meeting
Smartphone apps linked to hearing aids allow discreet, real-time control over volume and listening programmes. Being able to adjust settings mid-call boosts confidence, particularly in group discussions.
Audiologists recommend practising with these apps in advance so changes can be made quickly without interrupting the flow of a meeting.
The room and the rules still matter
Technology works best alongside simple environmental fixes. Quieter rooms, soft furnishings and good lighting all improve intelligibility. Positioning the screen at eye level supports lip-reading and facial cues.
Clear meeting etiquette helps too. Muting non-speakers, avoiding talking over one another and sharing slides or recordings after the meeting reduce strain for everyone.
Meeting hosts can make a big difference by enabling live captions, slowing the pace where possible and encouraging turn-taking. Written summaries or key points shared in the chat provide useful backup when audio is unclear.
When to seek extra help
If problems persist, professional support is worth seeking. An audiologist can check that hearing aids are correctly programmed for streamed audio and advise on additional tools such as telecoil settings, external microphones or captioning services.
“People may cope day to day, but video calls expose how hard they’re working to listen,” said James Leare, a Clinical Audiologist at Hearology®. “With the right hearing aid settings and a few thoughtful meeting adjustments, that effort drops dramatically, and people can focus on the conversation rather than the struggle to hear.”
As virtual meetings remain a fixture of modern life, combining better technology with inclusive habits can make online communication clearer, fairer and less tiring for people with hearing loss.
References
The Role of Hearing Aids in Virtual Meetings - Article on the use of hearing aids in virtual meetings from Beltone.
What to Know About Hearing Aids and Virtual Meetings - US hearing clinic discusses the challenges individuals with hearing loss face during virtual meetings, such as muffled voices and background noise, highlighting the importance of using hearing aids effectively
How to Optimize Video Calls with Hearing Aids - This article provides tips for optimising video calls for hearing aid users
How Can I Use Hearing Aids during Conference Calls? - This article explains how hearing aid users can enhance conference call experiences
