Avantalk C82 LEA

13 July 2026

The Avantalk C82 LEA is a small USB-C dongle for use with PCs, laptops, and tablet computers. Its primary function is to add LE Audio to these devices, but it also supports Classic Bluetooth, making it compatible with a range of hearing aids including Oticon Intent, Oticon Zeal, and Phonak aids.

Audio is two-way, so it can be used with apps such as Teams.

Hearing aids are paired with the dongle and the pairing is remembered.

Sound quality is excellent.

It can also be used as an Auracast transmitter after a firmware change.

In Use with Oticon Zeal hearing aids

I played some hi-res music tracks using Qobuz Music Streaming service. The sound quality was very good, and it was even better when I changed the Zeal’s program to Music.

The audio connection is two-way, just as when connected to a phone, so the dongle can be used with apps that use two-way audio, such as Teams.

Phonak hearing aids

I paired the C82 LEA with Phonak aids using Classic Bluetooth. The dongle is set to pair with the aids when the light is flashing blue and white.

Audio is two-way and the sound quality is excellent.

Setting up

I used a USB A to C adapter to plug the C82 LEA into a USB A socket of an ageing W11 PC. The light on the dongle flashed blue and white. I had no idea what flashing blue and white meant, so it was time to consult the manual. There was a QR code to scan which took me to the online interactive manual. There is also a PDF version available to download. Blue and white is for pairing Classic Bluetooth devices such as Phonak aids. It’s green and white for LE Audio. There is a multi-function button on the side of the C82 LEA. Its usage isn’t intuitive and it took a bit of getting used to. Three quick presses of the button and the light switches to green and white flashing LE Audio pairing mode.

When the Zeals were paired I checked in the PC Sound Settings that the Avantalk C82 LEA is the default communication device, which it was.

Notes

Oticon Zeal hearing aids can be paired with many devices, but they can only connect to one at a time. If they are connected to a phone, the phone’s Bluetooth must be turned off before the aids will connect to the dongle.

I tried turning my phone’s Bluetooth back on after the Zeals were connected to the dongle. The aids immediately disconnected and connected to the phone.

Phonak hearing aids can connect to two devices simultaneously, so a phone’s Bluetooth can be left on whilst using the dongle.

Oticon Zeals need to be held very close to the dongle to achieve stable pairing. Only the right-hand side connected at my first attempt. I needed to reset the dongle and repeat the pairing process for both aids to work.

The C82 LEA can be converted to the Auracast (AURA) version by changing the firmware. This is done on a PC or Mac using the Avantree Firmware Updater tool. Review of Avantree Aura is here.

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