Android Announces Better Hearing Aid Functionality for Samsung and Pixel Smartphones

Google announced improvements in hearing aid accessibility for some Android smartphones during this week's Samsung Unpacked 2025 event, which included the launch of the Galaxy S25 smartphone.

The improvements pertain to hearing aids using the latest Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE) Audio standard, which delivers features like hands-free calling, lower latency, and better battery life. There is also a new way to manage hearing aid settings through the device's system settings.

Android’s press release specifically mentioned hearing aids from GN Hearing (ReSound Nexia and Beltone Serene) and Oticon Intent. Along with the S25, the improvements are also being rolled out in Google’s Pixel 9 phones with the Android 16 beta updates, and to Galaxy S24 phones with Android 15 in the coming weeks. (After this news story was published, a reader also reported to HearingTracker that he successfully uses ReSound Nexia with a Pixel 7 smartphone and the Android 16 beta update.)

Google also updated its TalkBack screen reader, part of the Android Accessibility Suite, for people who are blind or have low vision. TalkBack can now provide more detailed image descriptions, powered by Gemini models, on Galaxy S25 devices, according to Google.