Nokia has announced the latest version (LPS-6) of its Wireless Loopset accessory, which is designed to offer t-coil-equipped hearing aid users a hassle-free and hands-free way to connect to mobile phones. It enables both calls and other audio (e.g. music), from a connected handset, to be wirelessly accessed through a hearing aid, after it has been switched to T-mode.

The new version of the Wireless Loopset has a number of extra features compared to its predecessor (LPS-5), with support for pairing via NFC, and support for USB audio and charging.

Nokia says the audio fidelity has been considerably improved, "to the extent that we now recommend it for listening to music as well as phone calls". There's also a better volume and frequency range, and longer talk times between charges. In addition, the vibrating alerts functionality, used to signal key presses and incoming calls, has been improved.

The Nokia Wireless Loopset (LPS-6) is compatible with handsets that use Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity with headset profile 1.2, hands-free profile 1.6 and A2DP 1.2. The accessory, which will be available later this year, comes in three colours (cyan, black and magenta).

If you're not familiar with the way these systems work, or the difference they can make to people's lives, then the video embedded below is well worth a look. Produced by Nokia it features a user of the LPS-6 predecessor, Katja Vis, talking about she uses the accessory.