Sky Glass - a discriminatory and poorly developed product.

[Nplp]

Audiology staff are particularly surprised and unimpressed that Sky Glass offers neither a cochlear implant or hearing aid bluetooth capability nor an output for a TV audio streamer thus enabling a Bluetooth connection that way. A 20th century product development approach in the 21st century to accessibility and seems indicative of institutional discrimination.

That view is supported by the Minotaurian maze of contacting Sky Customer Service.

As my remote control has stopped working for the 2nd time since purchasing Glass 6th months and so we are now unable to watch TV on our main set whilst I attempt to navigate the aforementioned maze, being deaf, I bitterly regret purchasing Sky Glass. My advice, if you have hearing issues - avoid.

[GD1]

@Nplp  Sky Glass TV's doe have bluetooth capability for connecting hearing aids etc

[Nplp]

Hi

certainly not as far as I can tell from my numerous attempts at pairing - I have a cochlear implant and Bluetooth hearing aid. Up until my last attempt and researching online and forum discussions it was clear that there was no compatibility- has this changed?

[Anonymous]

Up until the most recent software update landed about 7 days ago, you are correct - but it is now possible to connect devices to Glass via Bluetooth. Make sure your software is updated 

[Paul+Boland]

@Anonymous 

Ability to use Bluetooth headphones with Sky Glass was enabled with Software version QS012.007.00P

Some got that QS012 firmware version in October 2022 while most got it in November 2022

[Nplp]

I'll check my software version - thanks. I have checked for updates by restating g Sky several times since Oct/Nov so my Software should be up to date. Whilst I appreciate that update and enabling there is a concern that this disability provision is not an automatic criteria in Sky's product design.

[Fothergill1]

@Nplp If your hearing aids are not paring with Sky Glass is it possible that they are not compatible?  In the case of headphones I know they need a bluetooth profile of A2DP or they will not work with Sky Glass.  It might be worth checking.

[Nplp]

Hi thanks for this - my cochlear implant was implanted in November and was the brand new Nuckeus 8, only approved by the FDA in the States on the 1st November so it is the most up to date model and the Bluetooth hearing aid was provided in January this year  so that is also next gen Bluetooth ready as it were. I  liaising with Sky over this and will update in due course.

[Jon+Reeve]

@Nplp Why don't you buy the Cochlear TV Streamer?

[Nplp]

Hi

There is no compatible output with the Sky Glass for the TV streamers - there is an adapter which you can buy separately but that would mean only I could hear the audio and family wouldn't, whereas the hearing aid/ implant TV streamers are based on both audio to the room and implant aid - that's where the annoyance has come in, given that Glass was not hearing aid/ implant compatible.

[Nplp]

I have just confirmed with Sky's Accessibility team that the recent updates that broaden Bluetooth connectivity on Sky Glass does NOT extend to Cochlear Implants or Bluetooth hearing aidsand they have no indication if/ when this will change.

Further there is no output on Sky Glass compatible with a Cochlear TV Streamer - you can buy an adapter to link the streamer but that will only stream audio to the listener with the Cochlear Implant, no one else will be able to hear the audio.

Whilst hearing assistance with Bluetooth aids and Cochlear Implants have leapt forward Sky have gone into reverse.

[Mark39]

@Nplp I've added your most,recent post to the thread you already started as it's a continuation of the same discussion.

[Anonymous]

@Nplp a possible solution is to plug a Bluetooth receiver into a wireless tv streamer and act as your middle man. 

sky glass (Bluetooth and tv speaker) sends audio to Bluetooth receiver. This passes the audio to the streamer which then transmits it to the implant. 

[Chrisee]

@Nplp having bluetoth hearing aids myself I can confirm you can link to a Sky Glass. Previously this did mean the TV's speakers were muted but a firmware update in Januaty gives the choice of with or without TV speakers.

Sky have an accessibility team who offer multiple means of communication for customers with disabilities see https://www.skyaccessibility.sky it would be sensible to rdgister with them.

[Anonymous]

@Chrisee refer  to the previous post from them.