How to Connect Your Hearing Aids to an iPhone
Many modern hearing aids can connect straight to an iPhone. Once they are paired, phone calls, music and video sound can play right in your hearing aids, and you can adjust some settings from the phone. Here is how to set it up, based on Apple’s help page.
What You Need
- Hearing aids labeled “Made for iPhone” (MFi). If you are not sure, ask your hearing care professional or check the box or manual.
- An iPhone with the latest software. Apple recommends updating first. Go to Settings, then General, then Software Update.
How to Pair Your Hearing Aids
- Put your hearing aids in pairing mode. If they use small batteries, open the battery doors and close them again when you are ready. If they have an on/off switch, turn them off and back on. If they are rechargeable with no switch, take them out of the charger.
- On your iPhone, open Settings and tap Accessibility.
- Tap Hearing Devices.
- Tap Pair MFi Hearing Device and follow the steps on the screen. When your hearing aids appear, select them and tap Pair.
- If you do not see that option, tap your hearing aids’ name under Hearing Devices, then tap Pair on any requests that pop up.
Pairing can take a minute. Keep the hearing aids close to the phone while it works.
Handy Features Once You Are Connected
- Quick controls: You can add a Hearing button to Control Center, or set up the Accessibility Shortcut, to reach your hearing aid settings quickly.
- Live Listen: Turned on from the Hearing Devices screen, this lets your iPhone act like a microphone. Place the phone near the person speaking, such as across a table, and their voice plays in your hearing aids.
- The maker’s app: Many hearing aid brands have their own app with extra settings and software updates. Ask your hearing care professional which one goes with yours.
What About AirPods?
Apple also offers a hearing aid feature on AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 for adults 18 and older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. Availability can vary by country. It is a different product from prescription hearing aids, so talk with a hearing professional about what fits your needs.
A safety note: when you stream sound to your hearing aids, keep the volume at a comfortable level, and stay aware of traffic and your surroundings when you are out walking.
More on Seniors Tips
- Hearing Loss After 50: Signs, Testing, Hearing Aids and What Medicare Covers
- How to Turn On Live Captions on Your iPhone or Android Phone
