iPhone 12 w/ iOS 14.1 poor hearing aid connectivity

Hi TimLindner, 

Thank you for sharing feedback about your current experience. There’s a recently updated Apple article related to what you are describing and states "Apple is aware of this issue and will provide a fix in a future software update."

If your Made for iPhone hearing device has sound quality issues when connected to an iPhone 12 model

Thank you!

Going to Hearing Devices under Accessibility and turning off the non-static hearing aid worked. Shortly afterwards the opposite side had static. I repeated the process and again turned off the non-static side. This worked and I again turned both back on. We’ll see how long this lasts.

I just got the 12 Pro Max and I’m having hearing aid (Starkey Livio rechargeable 2400) issues with connectivity and with a lot of static. So much so I’d rather turn off Bluetooth or the hearing aid itself. Hopefully the issue will be fixed soon...

Hopefully a software fix soon.

In the meantime - to get around the static problem with my Resound Lynx3D - I'm streaming all sound from the iPhone 12 (calls, podcasts etc) to the right hand hearing aid only - an earlier reply used the same method

This is under the accessibility settings.

funnily enough it doesn't work with the left hand aid 🤷🏻‍♂️

Have the same problem with Wydex Moment hearing aids. Contacted Apple and they referred me to their accessibility department. Was on hold for nearly an hour but no one answered. Assumed it was only a Wydex problem till I found this thread. Old phone broke and I loved my new Mini but it will have to go back. Been a loyal Apple fan since the first iPod came out but now I guess I will have to go with some type of Android phone. Makes me a little sad. End of a long relationship.

Robert ~ I don't know whether you've already seen the following in a previous page in this same thread...

"Apple is aware of this issue and will provide a fix in a future software update." Source:

If your Made for iPhone hearing device has sound quality issues when connected to an iPhone 12 model

...Also:

"I have been in contact with Apple and they said they are getting closer to a fix. Until then I was told to go into settings - accessibility - Hearing Devices - top item, MFI hearing devices - Uncheck “Stream to left hearing device”. Do this until we get an update fix. I have not had the static noise since I did this. You will only hear with your right hearing aid until it is fixed." [Source]

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I think we all suffered static in either ear at different times. The point is, it doesn’t matter which one you disconnect, the iphone12 just can’t handle both at once. Though I haven’t tried if it will when set to stream in mono, which some people have recommended.

Apple is aware of the problem and their engineers are working on a fix, hard to say when they'll come up with it.

I have found that opening some apps on my iPhone 12 Pro will prompt the static, Alexa and The Weather Channel apps are two examples. Incoming phone calls will definitely trigger static. Currently my left hearing aid is the one with the issue. But that can change...meaning the right side will also have static. But never both at the same time.

I'm wearing Oticon Opn 2 miniRITE

Ecca308 wrote: "Mine are doing the same!"

In case you missed it previously in this same thread:

"Apple is aware of this issue and will provide a fix in a future software update." Source:

If your Made for iPhone hearing device has sound quality issues when connected to an iPhone 12 model

...Also:

"I have been in contact with Apple and they said they are getting closer to a fix. Until then I was told to go into settings - accessibility - Hearing Devices - top item, MFI hearing devices - Uncheck “Stream to left hearing device”. Do this until we get an update fix. I have not had the static noise since I did this. You will only hear with your right hearing aid until it is fixed." [Source]

õ¿õ¬

I’m probably going to regret saying this ‘out loud’ but having had the same issues with my 12 Pro and going through the card with Apple Support and Accessibility Support and multiple resets of settings and unpairing/pairing etc etc I thought well I’m just going to have to sit and wait patiently for a fix - I’d traded my old phone in so couldn’t revert to that. With that I thought I’d just reboot my phone without making any changes whatsoever and magically my UK Specsavers Advance (a Signia aid) have been working without major issues since.

Yes, occasionally the connection to one ear may drop and then reconnect, but no worse than when used with my iPhone 10. I stream music when I go on my daily 2 hour walk and all working fine. No static noise since the phone reboot.

The only setting I have disabled is ‘Play system sounds’.

Hope this isn’t a case of ‘famous last words’!

Thanks for the Tip, I updated to 14.1. On Tues night. Wed I only experienced minimal improvement. I can’t handle the frustration of the loud static! I will shut the Bluetooth off for a short time waiting for a fix. This is only a short term solution. I depend on the ability to take calls on my hearing aids for my business. WE NEED A FIX OR Credit to downgrade to iPhone 11. Please advise on the status of the fix? Insurance74

As a temporary fix, I tried to 'unstream' from one side, as suggested by someone else. Then, during the call a undid the 'unstream' and it seemed to work better, though not perfect.

I'm hopeful that 14.3 update might fix this and indicated by some who are using the beta.

So far OSI 14.3 developer beta 2 seems to be working. Had four phone calls and listened to music for last two hours with no static or dropped right/left hearing aids. Will keep you posted if it stops working or breaks anything else. Thanks to all for emotional support and technical advice.

Good article on how to install beta. DO NOT INSTALL TILL YOU BACK UP YOUR PHONE!!!!!!! Not too technical but remember it is a beta so you install at your own risk.

https://www.imore.com/how-download-ios-14-developer-beta

Took about two hours to install but I have a fairly slow internet connection. Once again thanks!

I'm happy to say I've gone a whole day without any static or loss of audio thanks to iOS 14.3 PB 2 so if you're having problems I highly recommend switching to beta updates...look back on the previous posts for a link :)

I wish I had NOT returned my original iPhone 12 Pro had I known, or better yet, had Apple support recommended downloading the 14.3 PB2 to correct the problem....now I'm waiting on a refund on my credit card in the amount of $620.55. They told me they were going to do a preliminary authorization, not actually charge my credit card until they received the iPhone that was sent back, but that's exactly what happened. The only solution was to file a dispute with my credit card company.