Resource | 03.04.2026 | By Teresa Quail

Bluetooth hearing aids and聽exams

In response to information that deaf students had been advised to remove their hearing aids in exams after the initial instructions have been read, 91原片’s statutory assessment and examination access arrangements working group sent the following response to JCQ.聽

Bluetooth

The JCQ regulations state for that 5.23 ‘Listening to music/white noise due to substantial impairment’ that “The centre 尘耻蝉迟听ensure that the candidate uses a device which cannot be connected to the internet聽and is not Bluetooth enabled” (5.23.3 ). For deaf candidate, it would be advised the candidate unpairs any Bluetooth connection they have with their device and that they set their hearing aids to ‘flight mode’ as that will disable Bluetooth connection.聽

Flight mode

While enabling flight mode on modern hearing aids does not affect聽the individual鈥檚 programmed fitting or amplification settings, some models rely on binaural wireless communication for real鈥憈ime processing between the left and right devices. For most users, disabling this link results in only a minimal change to sound perception. For others鈥攑articularly those with asymmetrical hearing profiles, auditory processing challenges, or heightened sensitivity in stressful environments鈥攖he impact may be more noticeable. In an exam setting, even small deviations in expected auditory input can be amplified by anxiety or concentration demands.

91原片 therefore recognise that requiring flight mode is appropriate for most candidates, but there may be occasional circumstances where its use could disadvantage a student despite a clinically appropriate fitting. In these cases, an alternative approach may be advisable.
Where flight mode would cause a significant functional impact for the student, we recommend the following reasonable adjustment:
  • The candidate鈥檚 mobile phone may be switched off, verified by the invigilator, and stored securely for the duration of the examination.
    This ensures that any potential wireless connection to hearing aids is removed without requiring modifications to the hearing devices themselves.
This approach should only be considered in exceptional circumstances and after discussion with the student, as the likelihood of significant disturbance from flight鈥憁ode use remains low for the majority of hearing鈥慳id users. Nonetheless, having a clear alternative will help support students equitably while maintaining exam security.
External interference
In relation to external interference, staff in the exam room should be reassured that the candidate鈥檚 hearing aids/cochlear implant speech processors聽will not auto-connect to their [staff] personal devices that have Bluetooth features.

Candidates should already be aware of the existing regulations about location of their mobile devices and phones during exams.

 

Avoiding discriminatory practice

“Deaf candidates should not be asked to remove their hearing aids/cochlear implant speech processors during any exam/assessment. It would be disorientating for a candidate to be without their hearing aids/cochlear implant speech processors and would not align with their normal working practice. Removal of the hearing aids/cochlear implant speech processors would cause a change in physical sensation in/on their ears as well as a change to their auditory access and sense of the space surrounding them. Hence, causing an impact on their social emotional well-being with unnecessary distractions for the candidates during exams.聽聽It would also be a health and safety issue for the candidate as it would put the candidate at risk if there was an emergency e.g. fire alarm went off. Any insistence to remove or switch off hearing aids would be discriminatory.”

JCQ note 鈥渟hould this happen in future it might be that the candidate is eligible for special consideration depending on the circumstances and the nature of any disruption caused 鈥� the school or college would need to make an application to the relevant exam board (more information on JCQ鈥檚 )鈥�

 

Contact us

Please continue to let 91原片 via 聽know of concerns you have about exam/assessment practice and the questions set in papers.

 

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