FoneFix / Connected Tech
Smartphone advice guide
Sound, connected.

Hearing aids meet smartphones.

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.

iPhone & Android
Direct audio streaming
Buying advice
MFi
Made for iPhone Apple's hearing-device ecosystem
ASHA
Android streaming Low-energy hearing-aid audio
LE AUDIO
Newer Bluetooth audio A newer generation of wireless audio
AURACAST
Broadcast audio One source, compatible receivers
The short answer

Which phone is actually best?

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.

More than Bluetooth

What can hearing aids actually do with a smartphone?

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.

Direct streaming

Send the phone's audio straight to your hearing aids

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.

Hear phone calls

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.

Adjust hearing settings

Depending on the hearing aids and their app, your phone may control volume, listening programmes, microphone settings and other hearing-device features.

Use a remote microphone

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.

Check status & battery

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.

Technology, decoded

MFi, ASHA, LE Audio... what does it all mean?

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

MFi

Made for iPhone
In plain English

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.

Why it matters

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.

Android

ASHA

Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids
In plain English

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.

Why it matters

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.

Bluetooth

LE Audio

Bluetooth Low Energy Audio
In plain English

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.

Why it matters

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.

Broadcast

Auracast

Bluetooth broadcast audio
In plain English

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.

Why it matters

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.

One more term Bluetooth

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.

iPhone & hearing aids

Why does iPhone have such a strong reputation?

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.

Built into iOS

Your hearing devices can live inside Accessibility settings.

With a compatible MFi hearing device, iPhone provides hearing-specific pairing and controls through its Accessibility settings.

Hearing Devices Connected
Microphone level
Audio preset Example
Live Listen
Hearing device Connected
Where iPhone stands out

The advantage is the depth of integration.

Direct MFi pairing

Compatible hearing devices can be paired from Settings → Accessibility → Hearing Devices rather than functioning only as a conventional Bluetooth audio accessory.

Hearing controls in iOS

Depending on the hearing device, iPhone can provide access to controls including microphone level, audio presets and other supported settings.

Live Listen

Live Listen can turn the iPhone into a remote microphone, sending sound picked up by the phone to a compatible MFi hearing device.

Direct audio streaming

Compatible MFi hearing devices can receive supported audio from iPhone, including calls and other phone audio, without requiring a separate intermediary streaming accessory.

Important distinction

MFi doesn't mean every hearing aid does everything.

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.

So, is iPhone automatically the better choice?

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.

Samsung Galaxy & Android

Android has come a long way.

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.

The important change

This is no longer just ordinary Bluetooth.

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.

Modern Android

What can a compatible phone actually do?

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.

Direct audio streaming

ASHA-compatible Android phones can stream supported phone audio directly to compatible hearing aids without a separate intermediary streamer.

Presets & hearing controls

Supported Android devices can expose hearing-aid presets, connection controls and ambient-volume settings.

Battery & connection status

Android's hearing-device interface can show information such as connection status and hearing-aid battery levels where supported.

Call microphone options

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.

Samsung Galaxy

Hearing-aid support is built into Accessibility.

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.

Where does that leave Android?

Much closer to iPhone than many people realise.

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.

iPhone vs Samsung & Android

Which is better for hearing aids?

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.

Apple

iPhone

Strong hearing-device integration through MFi and iOS Accessibility.

Google / Samsung & others

Android

Dedicated hearing-device support through ASHA, LE Audio and manufacturer features.

Supported

MFi direct streaming

Compatible MFi hearing devices can receive supported audio directly from iPhone.

01
Direct audio
streaming
Supported

ASHA or LE Audio

Compatible Android phones and hearing aids can also provide direct audio streaming.

Integrated

iOS Accessibility

Compatible MFi devices can expose hearing-specific controls directly within Apple's Accessibility system.

02
Hearing-device
controls
Integrated

Android hearing controls

Supported Android devices can provide presets, battery information, ambient controls and other hearing-device options.

Built in

Live Listen

iPhone can act as a remote microphone for compatible MFi hearing devices using Apple's Live Listen feature.

03
Remote microphone
features
Varies

Device & app dependent

Similar functionality can be available on Android, but implementation depends more on the hearing-aid manufacturer, phone and software.

Model dependent

Bidirectional MFi

Certain MFi hearing devices support bidirectional streaming, allowing their microphones to be used for hands-free conversation.

04
Hands-free
calling
Technology dependent

Don't assume from ASHA alone

ASHA itself does not provide an audio backlink from the hearing aids. Calling behaviour can differ with newer technologies and individual devices.

More controlled

Smaller device ecosystem

Apple controls both iPhone hardware and iOS, giving hearing-aid manufacturers a relatively consistent phone platform to support.

05
Compatibility
consistency
Check carefully

More hardware variation

Android spans many manufacturers and models, so support for the same hearing aid can vary between phones and software versions.

Check current model

Support is device specific

Newer Bluetooth hearing technologies are evolving, so support should be checked against the exact iPhone and hearing device.

06
LE Audio &
Auracast
Growing support

Available on selected devices

LE Audio and Auracast support is appearing across newer Android phones, but the exact handset and hearing aids must support the required features.

What this really means

The phone alone doesn't decide the experience.

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.

Before choosing either

Ask these three questions.

These are more useful than simply asking whether iPhone or Android is “better”.

Does my exact hearing-aid model support this phone?

Check the hearing-aid manufacturer's current compatibility information.

Which features will actually work?

Streaming, hands-free calling, remote microphone functions and app controls are separate capabilities.

Am I choosing a specific model — or just a brand?

Especially with Android, two phones carrying the same brand name can have different hearing-aid capabilities.

Check before you change phones

Will my hearing aids work with my phone?

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.

Compatibility check

Four things to check — in this order.

About 5 minutes
01
Start here
Hearing aids

Find the exact model

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.

Your hearing-aid paperwork, app or audiologist may help identify the exact model.
02
Then
Smartphone

Check the exact phone

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.

On many phones, the exact model can be found in Settings under About phone / About.
03
Verify
Manufacturer

Use the compatibility list

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.

Manufacturer information is more useful than a generic internet claim that a hearing aid “works with Android” or “works with iPhone”.
04
Finally
Features

Check what “compatible” means

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.

If a particular feature matters to you, verify that feature specifically before buying.
Easy mistake to make

App compatibility isn't the same as audio streaming.

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.

Define “works”

These are four different questions.

01
Can I control my hearing aids?

Volume, programmes and other supported settings.

02
Can I stream phone audio?

Music, video, navigation and other supported audio directly to the hearing aids.

03
Can I hear phone calls through them?

Call audio may be supported even when the calling experience is not fully hands-free.

04
Can I talk without holding the phone?

True hands-free calling requires the necessary microphone path and device support.

Before buying a new phone

Check first. Transfer your data second.

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.

Choosing your next smartphone

What should you look for before buying?

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.

Hearing-aid user's buying brief

Put compatibility ahead of the logo on the box.

Start with the functions that are essential to you, then check whether the exact phone and hearing aids support them together.

Priority 01

Essential

Check these before committing to the phone.

01

Exact hearing-aid compatibility

The first requirement is support for your specific hearing-aid model, not simply support for Bluetooth hearing aids in general.

02

Direct audio streaming

If you want calls, music, podcasts or navigation in your hearing aids, confirm that the combination supports direct audio streaming.

03

Calling behaviour

If hands-free calls matter, check whether you can use the hearing-aid microphones or whether you will still need the phone's microphone.

04

Current software support

Compatibility can depend on the phone's operating system. Check the manufacturer's information for the current supported software.

Priority 02

Important

These can make everyday use considerably easier.

05

Easy hearing controls

Look at how easily you can reach volume, presets and other hearing-device controls without repeatedly digging through menus.

06

Manufacturer app support

Check that your hearing-aid manufacturer's current app supports the phone and software version if you rely on app-based adjustments.

07

Accessibility features

Consider the wider accessibility system too: captions, visual alerts, sound recognition and hearing controls may all be useful alongside the hearing aids.

08

Long-term software updates

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.

Priority 03

Useful extras

Not essential for everyone, but worth understanding.

09

Remote microphone features

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.

10

LE Audio & Auracast

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.

Model matters

Don't shop by brand name alone.

“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.

If you can try before buying

Test the things you actually do.

A successful connection is only the beginning. If a retailer or audiologist can help you test the combination, concentrate on everyday use.

Make a phone call.

Check where you hear the caller and which microphone is actually being used.

Stream some audio.

Try music or video and confirm that streaming works as expected with both hearing aids.

Find the controls yourself.

Make sure the settings and app are comfortable for you to reach and understand without help.

Connection problems

Hearing aids won't connect? Start here.

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.

Before deleting anything

Don't immediately forget and re-pair the hearing aids.

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.

Quick diagnostic

Work through these in order.

These checks cover many of the common reasons a previously compatible hearing aid and smartphone stop communicating correctly.

01
Power

Check both hearing aids

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.

02
Distance

Keep everything close

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.

03
Phone

Restart the smartphone

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.

04
Updates

Check software & firmware

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.

05
Audio

Check where sound is going

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.

06
Re-pair

Now consider pairing again

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.

What exactly is going wrong?

Different symptoms point to different checks.

Problem 01

My hearing aids don't appear at all

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.

Problem 02

Only one hearing aid connects

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.

Problem 03

They say “connected” but I hear no sound

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.

Problem 04

Music works, but calls behave differently

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.

Problem 05

The connection keeps dropping

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.

Problem 06

The manufacturer's app won't connect

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.

iPhone — MFi hearing devices

Check the dedicated Hearing Devices menu.

Settings → Accessibility → Hearing Devices

Compatible MFi hearing devices are managed here, rather than treating every hearing aid as an ordinary Bluetooth audio accessory.

Samsung Galaxy

Samsung also provides a dedicated route.

Settings → Accessibility → Hearing enhancements → Hearing aid support

On supported Galaxy devices this includes pairing new hearing aids. Samsung also allows hearing aids to be connected through Bluetooth settings.

Still not working?

Work out which side needs help.

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.

Beyond hearing-aid connectivity

Useful phone features you may not know about.

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 · MFi
FEATURE 01

Turn your iPhone into a remote microphone.

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 Listen Available with compatible MFi hearing devices and supported Apple audio products.
02
Android

Live Transcribe

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.

03
Android

Live Caption

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.

04
Android

Sound Notifications

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.

05
iPhone & Android

Visual & vibration alerts

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.

Similar names, different jobs

Caption, transcribe or text a call?

Several accessibility features involve text, but they solve different problems. Knowing the difference makes them much easier to use.

Live Caption
Read audio playing on the phone.

Creates captions for supported spoken content such as media and, on supported devices, calls.

Live Transcribe
Read speech happening around you.

Uses the phone microphone to turn nearby speech and sounds into text in real time.

RTT
Communicate with text during a call.

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.

Your phone can listen too

Important sounds don't always have to be heard.

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.

Smoke alarm Doorbell Knocking Baby crying Dog barking Appliance beep
Hearing aids & smartphones FAQ

Common questions, clear answers.

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.

Quick answers

Tap a question to open it.

Exact features still depend on the phone model, hearing aids, operating system and connection technology being used.

Can any Bluetooth hearing aid connect to any smartphone?

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.

Is iPhone better than Samsung for hearing aids?

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.

Do I need a hearing-aid app on my 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.

Can I hear phone calls directly through my hearing aids?

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.

Can I stream music and videos to my hearing aids?

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.

Why is only one of my hearing aids connecting?

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.

Does streaming from my phone use more hearing-aid battery?

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.

Can hearing aids connect to more than one phone?

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.

Will my hearing aids still work if Bluetooth is switched off?

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.

What is Auracast and do I need it yet?

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.

Can a software update stop my hearing aids connecting?

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.

Should I choose my new phone before or after checking my hearing aids?

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.

Practical help in Honiton

Need help with the phone side of things?

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.

FoneFix Honiton

Local smartphone help without the jargon.

We're an independent phone and tablet repair shop in Honiton with 15+ years of experience helping customers understand, troubleshoot and repair their devices.

FoneFix Honiton 34 New Street
Honiton, Devon
EX14 1EX
Where we may be able to help

When the problem appears to be the smartphone.

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.

Bluetooth & connection problems

Checking whether the phone's Bluetooth, device connection or audio routing is behaving as expected.

Smartphone settings

Helping locate relevant accessibility, hearing-device and audio settings on compatible iPhone and Android phones.

Phone faults & repairs

Diagnosing smartphone hardware or software problems when the phone itself appears to be causing wider issues.

Choosing or setting up a phone

Helping you understand the smartphone features and settings worth checking when connectivity and accessibility are important to you.

Honiton & East Devon

Independent local phone support.

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.

Phone problem?

Not sure whether your phone needs attention?

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.