Your phone can be much more than something you hold to your ear. With compatible hearing aids, it may become a source for calls, music and video, a hearing-control centre and even a remote microphone. But not every hearing aid works with every phone in the same way.
There isn't one universal winner. Apple's Made for iPhone hearing-device system is mature and tightly integrated with iOS, while compatible Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel and other Android phones can also offer direct hearing-aid streaming and controls.The best choice depends on the exact hearing aids you use, the connection technology they support and the features you need.
Modern hearing aids can behave very differently from ordinary Bluetooth headphones. With a compatible phone and compatible hearing aids, the connection can extend far beyond simply making a phone call louder.
On supported combinations, calls, music, podcasts, video and other phone audio can be streamed directly to the hearing aids. Instead of relying on the phone's loudspeaker, the sound is delivered through the hearing devices themselves.
Compatible hearing aids can receive call audio directly. Some newer systems also support bidirectional audio for hands-free conversation, but this is not available on every hearing aid.
Depending on the hearing aids and their app, your phone may control volume, listening programmes, microphone settings and other hearing-device features.
Features such as Apple's Live Listen can use the phone's microphone to pick up nearby speech and send it to compatible hearing devices — useful in some noisy or difficult listening situations.
Supported devices can expose useful information and controls on the phone. Exactly what you can see depends on the hearing aids, operating system and manufacturer's software.
Hearing-aid compatibility comes with a surprising amount of jargon. The important thing is that these terms don't all describe the same technology. Here's what you're actually looking at when choosing a hearing aid or smartphone.
Apple's system for compatible hearing devices. MFi hearing aids can connect directly with supported Apple devices and use hearing-specific features built into Apple's accessibility system.
It can provide direct audio streaming, hearing-device controls and features such as Live Listen. The exact capabilities still depend on the particular hearing aid and Apple device.
An Android specification created for streaming audio to compatible hearing aids. It uses Bluetooth Low Energy and was designed to make direct hearing-aid streaming possible without treating the hearing aids like ordinary Bluetooth headphones.
ASHA is one reason compatible Android phones, including supported Galaxy and Pixel models, can stream sound directly to compatible hearing aids. Compatibility must still be checked for the actual phone and hearing aid.
A newer generation of Bluetooth audio. LE Audio is built on Bluetooth Low Energy and introduces a newer audio architecture intended to improve what Bluetooth audio devices can do, including support relevant to hearing devices.
It provides the foundation for newer Bluetooth hearing-aid connections and also enables technologies such as Auracast broadcast audio. Both ends of the connection need the necessary support.
Think of Auracast as broadcasting audio for compatible devices to join, rather than making one traditional private Bluetooth connection between two devices. It is a capability of Bluetooth LE Audio.
In compatible environments, it can allow supported hearing devices to receive broadcast sound from sources such as public-address systems, TVs or other Auracast transmitters.
Bluetooth is the wider family of wireless technologies behind many phone accessories, but seeing “Bluetooth” in a hearing aid's specification does not by itself tell you which hearing-aid features your phone will support. You still need to know which connection standard and features the particular devices support.
Apple has supported dedicated hearing-device connectivity for years through Made for iPhone (MFi). One of its biggest strengths is that hearing support isn't treated only as an accessory app — compatible hearing devices can also integrate directly with accessibility features built into iOS.
With a compatible MFi hearing device, iPhone provides hearing-specific pairing and controls through its Accessibility settings.
Compatible hearing devices can be paired from Settings → Accessibility → Hearing Devices rather than functioning only as a conventional Bluetooth audio accessory.
Depending on the hearing device, iPhone can provide access to controls including microphone level, audio presets and other supported settings.
Live Listen can turn the iPhone into a remote microphone, sending sound picked up by the phone to a compatible MFi hearing device.
Compatible MFi hearing devices can receive supported audio from iPhone, including calls and other phone audio, without requiring a separate intermediary streaming accessory.
Features vary between hearing devices. In particular, Apple identifies some MFi models as supporting bidirectional streaming, which allows the hearing-aid microphones to be used for hands-free conversation. Other MFi devices use unidirectional streaming, so you may still need to speak into the iPhone during a call. Always check the exact hearing-aid model rather than assuming the MFi label guarantees identical features.
Not automatically. iPhone's mature MFi ecosystem and built-in hearing accessibility controls explain why it has long been a strong option for compatible hearing aids. But modern Android phones have moved considerably beyond basic Bluetooth connectivity. The next section looks specifically at Samsung Galaxy and Android — including ASHA, LE Audio and where Android can now compete.
The old idea that hearing-aid users need an iPhone for proper smartphone connectivity is no longer accurate. Supported Android phones can now provide dedicated hearing-aid pairing, direct audio streaming and useful hearing controls — although compatibility can vary more between individual devices.
Android supports technologies designed specifically for hearing devices. On compatible combinations, ASHA can stream audio directly from the phone to the hearing aids, while newer devices may also use Bluetooth LE Audio.
Android's hearing-device controls have become much more integrated. Exactly which options appear still depends on the phone, Android version and hearing aids being used.
ASHA-compatible Android phones can stream supported phone audio directly to compatible hearing aids without a separate intermediary streamer.
Supported Android devices can expose hearing-aid presets, connection controls and ambient-volume settings.
Android's hearing-device interface can show information such as connection status and hearing-aid battery levels where supported.
Android can offer the option to use the phone's microphone for calls with hearing aids that support the feature — useful when the hearing aids do not provide the required microphone path.
On supported current Galaxy devices, Samsung provides dedicated controls under Settings → Accessibility → Hearing enhancements → Hearing aid support. Compatible hearing aids can be paired from there, and Samsung also supports ASHA streaming on specified Galaxy models. Samsung publishes its own supported device list, so the exact Galaxy model still matters.
A compatible modern Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel or other well-supported Android phone can provide a sophisticated hearing-aid experience. The main issue is not simply whether Android is capable — it is knowing whether your particular phone and hearing aids support the same technologies and features. That's the comparison we'll make next.
There isn't one answer for every hearing-aid user. iPhone has a mature and tightly integrated MFi ecosystem, while modern Android phones — particularly well-supported Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel models — can offer excellent hearing-aid connectivity too. The differences are in the details.
Strong hearing-device integration through MFi and iOS Accessibility.
Dedicated hearing-device support through ASHA, LE Audio and manufacturer features.
Compatible MFi hearing devices can receive supported audio directly from iPhone.
Compatible Android phones and hearing aids can also provide direct audio streaming.
Compatible MFi devices can expose hearing-specific controls directly within Apple's Accessibility system.
Supported Android devices can provide presets, battery information, ambient controls and other hearing-device options.
iPhone can act as a remote microphone for compatible MFi hearing devices using Apple's Live Listen feature.
Similar functionality can be available on Android, but implementation depends more on the hearing-aid manufacturer, phone and software.
Certain MFi hearing devices support bidirectional streaming, allowing their microphones to be used for hands-free conversation.
ASHA itself does not provide an audio backlink from the hearing aids. Calling behaviour can differ with newer technologies and individual devices.
Apple controls both iPhone hardware and iOS, giving hearing-aid manufacturers a relatively consistent phone platform to support.
Android spans many manufacturers and models, so support for the same hearing aid can vary between phones and software versions.
Newer Bluetooth hearing technologies are evolving, so support should be checked against the exact iPhone and hearing device.
LE Audio and Auracast support is appearing across newer Android phones, but the exact handset and hearing aids must support the required features.
iPhone's advantage has traditionally been its mature MFi ecosystem and consistency across a relatively small number of phone models. Android now supports sophisticated hearing-aid connectivity too, but because Android covers such a broad range of hardware, checking the exact combination of phone and hearing aids is particularly important.
These are more useful than simply asking whether iPhone or Android is “better”.
Check the hearing-aid manufacturer's current compatibility information.
Streaming, hands-free calling, remote microphone functions and app controls are separate capabilities.
Especially with Android, two phones carrying the same brand name can have different hearing-aid capabilities.
Don't rely on the words “Bluetooth compatible” alone. Proper compatibility depends on the exact hearing aids, exact phone model and the features you want to use. A few checks before buying a phone can prevent an expensive mistake.
Identify the manufacturer and full model name of your hearing aids. Don't check using the brand alone — one manufacturer can sell several generations and technology platforms with different phone compatibility.
Record the full phone model rather than simply “iPhone” or “Samsung Galaxy”. For Android in particular, hearing-aid capabilities can differ between models and generations.
Check the hearing-aid manufacturer's current smartphone compatibility information. Look for your exact hearing-aid model, phone model and operating-system version where these are specified.
Confirm the individual functions you need: direct audio streaming, phone calls, hearing-aid controls, manufacturer app support and hands-free calling are not necessarily the same capability.
A hearing-aid manufacturer's app may connect to compatible hearing aids for functions such as volume adjustment, programme changes or device information. That does not automatically prove the phone can stream calls, music or other audio directly to those hearing aids.
Think of app control and direct audio streaming as two separate things to verify.
Volume, programmes and other supported settings.
Music, video, navigation and other supported audio directly to the hearing aids.
Call audio may be supported even when the calling experience is not fully hands-free.
True hands-free calling requires the necessary microphone path and device support.
If hearing-aid connectivity is important to you, don't assume a newer or more expensive phone automatically guarantees compatibility. Verify the exact model against your hearing aids before committing to the purchase — particularly when moving between iPhone and Android.
If you wear hearing aids, camera megapixels and processor speeds aren't the only specifications worth checking. The right phone should support the hearing features you actually use every day.
Start with the functions that are essential to you, then check whether the exact phone and hearing aids support them together.
Check these before committing to the phone.
The first requirement is support for your specific hearing-aid model, not simply support for Bluetooth hearing aids in general.
If you want calls, music, podcasts or navigation in your hearing aids, confirm that the combination supports direct audio streaming.
If hands-free calls matter, check whether you can use the hearing-aid microphones or whether you will still need the phone's microphone.
Compatibility can depend on the phone's operating system. Check the manufacturer's information for the current supported software.
These can make everyday use considerably easier.
Look at how easily you can reach volume, presets and other hearing-device controls without repeatedly digging through menus.
Check that your hearing-aid manufacturer's current app supports the phone and software version if you rely on app-based adjustments.
Consider the wider accessibility system too: captions, visual alerts, sound recognition and hearing controls may all be useful alongside the hearing aids.
A phone with a strong update policy can be particularly valuable when you intend to keep it for several years and depend on accessibility and connected-device support.
Not essential for everyone, but worth understanding.
Features such as Apple's Live Listen, or manufacturer-specific alternatives, can be useful when trying to hear someone across a table or in a noisy environment.
If your hearing aids support newer Bluetooth technology, it may be worth checking for compatible LE Audio or Auracast capabilities when choosing a phone you expect to keep.
“Samsung supports hearing aids” is too broad, and even “Android supports hearing aids” tells you very little about one particular handset. Check the exact model you're planning to buy. The same applies to the hearing aids themselves: different generations from the same manufacturer can support different features.
A successful connection is only the beginning. If a retailer or audiologist can help you test the combination, concentrate on everyday use.
Check where you hear the caller and which microphone is actually being used.
Try music or video and confirm that streaming works as expected with both hearing aids.
Make sure the settings and app are comfortable for you to reach and understand without help.
A failed connection doesn't necessarily mean the phone or hearing aids are faulty. Pairing mode, battery level, software, another connected device or the selected audio output can all affect what happens.
If the connection worked previously, begin with the simple checks first. Re-pairing is a valid troubleshooting step, but it doesn't need to be the first thing you do. Establish whether the problem is discovery, connection or audio routing before starting again.
These checks cover many of the common reasons a previously compatible hearing aid and smartphone stop communicating correctly.
Make sure both aids are switched on and have sufficient battery or charge. If you're trying to pair them, put the hearing aids into their proper pairing mode using the manufacturer's instructions.
Keep the phone and hearing aids close together while pairing or troubleshooting. Also check whether the hearing aids have connected to another nearby phone, tablet or computer.
If the connection has unexpectedly stopped, restart the phone before changing lots of settings. Then return to the phone's hearing-device or Bluetooth settings and check the connection again.
Check for appropriate phone software, hearing-aid app and hearing-aid firmware updates. Apple specifically recommends checking hearing-device firmware when an MFi device will not connect as expected.
If the phone says the hearing aids are connected but you cannot hear anything, check the phone's current audio output or media output. A connection can exist while sound is being sent somewhere else.
If the earlier checks have not resolved the problem, follow the phone and hearing-aid manufacturer's instructions to forget or unpair the hearing devices, return them to pairing mode and pair them again.
Confirm compatibility and pairing mode first. Keep the aids close to the phone and check that they are not already actively connected to another device.
Don't assume the second aid is faulty. Pairing behaviour varies between hearing-aid systems. On Android, Google specifically notes that where more than one aid appears, the first may need to connect before selecting the second.
Check the phone's audio output. On iPhone, Apple specifically recommends selecting the hearing device as the sound output when it is connected but audio cannot be heard.
Media streaming and calling are not necessarily identical features. Check the phone's call settings and the capabilities of your hearing aids — particularly which microphone is expected to be used during a call.
Check battery level, distance and nearby paired devices. Apple notes that an MFi hearing device paired with several Apple devices can switch to another device when audio or an incoming call becomes active there.
Remember that app communication and phone audio streaming are not the same connection. Check the app's permissions, compatibility and manufacturer guidance rather than assuming the hearing-aid Bluetooth connection itself has failed.
Compatible MFi hearing devices are managed here, rather than treating every hearing aid as an ordinary Bluetooth audio accessory.
On supported Galaxy devices this includes pairing new hearing aids. Samsung also allows hearing aids to be connected through Bluetooth settings.
If the phone has wider Bluetooth, software or hardware problems, the smartphone itself may need attention. If the problem is limited to the hearing aids, their firmware, programming or manufacturer app, your audiologist or hearing-aid provider is usually the appropriate next contact. Knowing which side of the connection is failing can save a lot of unnecessary troubleshooting.
Connecting hearing aids is only part of what a modern smartphone can offer. Both iPhone and Android include accessibility tools that can turn speech into text, recognise important sounds and provide visual or vibration alerts.
Apple's Live Listen can use the iPhone microphone to pick up sound and send it to compatible Made for iPhone hearing devices. Place the iPhone nearer the person you're trying to hear and it can help in situations such as a conversation across a table or in a noisy room.
Live Transcribe converts speech and sounds around you into text on the phone's screen as they happen. That can be useful for face-to-face conversations where hearing speech is difficult.
Live Caption can automatically create captions for supported media and calls playing on the phone. Availability and supported content can vary by device, software and language.
A compatible Android phone can listen for selected important sounds — such as a smoke alarm, doorbell, knocking or a baby crying — and notify you when one is detected.
Phones can provide alternatives to an audible notification. Android supports screen or camera-flash notifications on supported devices, while phones also offer vibration and other visual alert options.
Several accessibility features involve text, but they solve different problems. Knowing the difference makes them much easier to use.
Creates captions for supported spoken content such as media and, on supported devices, calls.
Uses the phone microphone to turn nearby speech and sounds into text in real time.
Real-Time Text allows text to be transmitted as it is typed during a supported phone call. Availability can depend on the phone and mobile network.
Google's Sound Notifications can recognise selected sounds around the phone and turn them into an alert. Samsung Galaxy devices also expose sound notifications within their hearing accessibility features on supported software. This can add another useful layer of awareness around the home.
Hearing-aid connectivity can sound far more complicated than it needs to. Here are straightforward answers to some of the questions people commonly ask when using hearing aids with an iPhone, Samsung Galaxy or other Android phone.
Exact features still depend on the phone model, hearing aids, operating system and connection technology being used.
No. The fact that both products use Bluetooth does not guarantee that they support the same hearing-aid features. Compatibility depends on the hearing aids, smartphone, operating system and technologies supported by both devices.
Always check the hearing-aid manufacturer's compatibility information for the exact phone model you intend to use.
There isn't one answer for every hearing-aid user. Apple's Made for iPhone hearing-device system provides deep integration with compatible hearing aids, which can make iPhone a particularly straightforward choice for some users.
Modern Samsung Galaxy phones can also provide direct hearing-aid connectivity through supported technologies such as ASHA, with newer Bluetooth technologies becoming increasingly relevant. The better choice depends on the specific hearing aids and features you need, not simply the brand of phone.
Not necessarily. Depending on the hearing aids and phone, some functions can be available through the smartphone's own hearing-device controls.
A manufacturer's app can provide additional controls such as programme changes, volume adjustments, battery information or other model-specific features. What the app can do varies considerably between hearing-aid manufacturers and models.
With a compatible combination, yes. Call audio can be streamed directly to supported hearing aids.
What happens to your own voice is a separate question. Some systems support hands-free calling, while others still rely on the smartphone's microphone to pick up your voice. Check the capabilities of the exact hearing aids and phone.
Many compatible hearing aids can receive streamed audio from a smartphone, including music, video, podcasts and navigation instructions.
Again, Bluetooth alone isn't proof that direct streaming is supported. The phone and hearing aids need a compatible streaming method.
It doesn't automatically mean the other hearing aid is faulty. Different hearing-aid systems handle a left and right pair differently.
For example, Android's hearing-device pairing guidance notes that if more than one hearing aid appears in the list, you may need to wait for the first one to connect before selecting the other. Follow the pairing instructions for your particular hearing aids.
It can. Wireless communication and extended audio streaming require energy, so frequent streaming can contribute to increased battery consumption compared with using the hearing aids without those wireless functions.
The real-world effect varies with the hearing aid, battery or rechargeable system, streaming technology and how long you stream for.
Some hearing aids can remember or work with multiple devices, but being paired with several devices is not the same as maintaining several active audio connections at once.
Multipoint and device-switching behaviour varies by hearing-aid model and connection technology, so check the manufacturer's specification if using two phones is important to you.
The hearing aids should continue performing their normal hearing function independently of the smartphone. However, phone-connected features such as direct streaming, app communication or remote controls may stop working when the required wireless connection is unavailable.
Auracast is a Bluetooth broadcast-audio technology designed to allow compatible receiving devices to join an available audio broadcast. Potential uses include audio in public venues, transport hubs, televisions and other shared listening environments.
It is an important development for hearing accessibility, but you need compatible hardware and support at both ends. If you're buying a phone or hearing aids to keep for several years, it is worth understanding — but it should not replace checking compatibility with the equipment and services you use today.
Software changes can sometimes affect Bluetooth accessories, apps or device behaviour, although a connection problem appearing after an update does not prove the update caused it.
Check for any subsequent phone updates, hearing-aid app updates and available hearing-aid firmware, then consult the manufacturer's current compatibility information before making major changes to the phone.
If hearing-aid connectivity matters to you, check compatibility before buying the phone. Start with the exact make and model of your hearing aids and identify which phones and features the manufacturer currently supports.
This is far safer than buying a phone first and assuming that because it has Bluetooth everything will work.
Hearing aids are becoming increasingly connected, which means a problem that appears to involve the hearing aids can sometimes actually be a smartphone, software, Bluetooth or settings issue. Working out which side is causing the problem is the important first step.
We're an independent phone and tablet repair shop in Honiton with 15+ years of experience helping customers understand, troubleshoot and repair their devices.
If your hearing aids themselves are working but something isn't right on the phone, we can help investigate the smartphone side of the problem.
Checking whether the phone's Bluetooth, device connection or audio routing is behaving as expected.
Helping locate relevant accessibility, hearing-device and audio settings on compatible iPhone and Android phones.
Diagnosing smartphone hardware or software problems when the phone itself appears to be causing wider issues.
Helping you understand the smartphone features and settings worth checking when connectivity and accessibility are important to you.
Our Honiton repair shop helps customers from across East Devon and the surrounding area, including Axminster, Seaton, Sidmouth, Ottery St Mary and Cranbrook, as well as customers travelling from the wider Exeter area. If the issue is with your smartphone rather than the hearing aids themselves, you're welcome to get in touch.
Tell us what is happening with your device and we can help determine the appropriate next step. If the smartphone needs diagnosis or repair, we'll explain your options clearly.
Compatibility and accessibility features can change with new phones, hearing aids and software updates. Always check current compatibility information from your hearing-aid manufacturer before purchasing a new smartphone specifically for hearing-aid use.