Bluetooth Vs Pacemaker

[Beffohol]

To Bluetooth or not to Bluetooth?

I had a pacemaker fitted two years ago. I want to get some new ear bud/ headphones for learning digital piano and for listening to music while I exercise. So many "advice" sites contradict each other so I'm now totally confused. Is it simply an age thing....are newer PM able to deal with Bluetooth devices or are they still a no no....it's just a lot of new technologies are doing away with Jack ports for headsets and speakers in favour of Bluetooth connectivity. ....do we still have to be wary or can I wear Bluetooth headphones/buds

[Stanley18]

I was fitted with a Medtronic PM two years ago. I use Apple AirPods most days, connecting to my iPhone via Bluetooth. Interestingly though, I also have a Medtronic app on my phone, connected to my PM via Bluetooth, which transmits data on request to the clinic. I can’t answer your question definitively, but Bluetooth appears to be a help to me, not a hindrance.

[indian7462 in reply to Stanley18]

I bought Apple beats some 2/3 years ago they are brilliant and at last i can hear and answer my i phone and listen to my music and more. Only thing i do is use the right ear only and do not use the left ear closest to the pacemaker wouldnt be without it and had no side effects.

[Beffohol in reply to Stanley18]

Thanks for taking the time to respond to this. I wonder if I should go directly to the manufacturer of my PM and ask them. It seems to me that a lot of the new pacemakers cope a lot better with external devices. it might have something to do with the type of pacemaker that has been fitted. 🤔glad you are enjoying your Bluetooth connectivity 👍

[Stanley18 in reply to Beffohol]

My logic is that if my PM has Bluetooth technology then I ought not to fear using my AirPods (mostly whilst gardening!). If you know the manufacturer then yes, you could contact them directly, or try the clinic first. You’d have that reassurance and be able to enjoy your music. Your timeline is similar to mine and I’m therefore pretty confident that you’ll get the answer you’re looking for. I hope so 🙂

[Vic67 in reply to Beffohol]

Hi

The device clinic should be able to advise you- they did me when I needed to find out about the effect of ultrasonic dental cleaning equipment. Alternatively Find out the model number of the device and go on the manufacturer’s web site to see if Bluetooth is tolerated

Good luck and keep well

[EMBoy]

There is a lot of nonsense talked about pacemakers and everyday appliances.

I work with electron microscopes, which have very large electro-magnets as lenses. These give very large electromagnetic fields, and I have had no problem with them affecting my pacemaker. I also have a pair of Bluetooth headphones that I use all the time without any problems.

Modern pacemakers are very well shielded and have a safety mechanism that switches them into "safe" mode when near a large magnetic field. My pacemaker is a Medtronic and it simply beats at 85 bpm if this happens. It then returns to normal pacing when the magnetic field is removed. At my first check up, the physiologist switched mine to 85 bpm so that I could feel what it is like, and it just felt like I had done a bit of exercise.

Some pacemakers will survive a MRI scan, so it's worthwhile checking with the manufacturer, but I doubt very much if ear buds would have any effect at all on a pacemaker.