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TimLindner Author

Level 1

21 points

iPhone 12 w/ iOS 14.1 poor hearing aid connectivity

Ever since upgrading from my iPhone 11 Max to my iPhone 12 Max, my ReSound LiNX Quattro hearing aids are having connection and quality issues. I'm experiencing a lot of static and in general a touchy connection where one or both ears will cut sound. Often times just turning my head sometimes cuts out sound from one ear. It seems the iPhone needs to be VERY close to work as well, the distance (like laying on my desk) causes increased static and stability issues. Anyone else having a similar issue?

iPhone 12 Pro, iOS 14

Posted on Oct 30, 2020 9:35 PM

Top-ranking reply

Wcats

Level 1

13 points

Posted on Oct 31, 2020 8:19 AM

Just got an iPhone 12 and am also having hearing aid issues. Connection is not an issue but the right one has a lot of interference on phone calls, enough that I have to remove it when on the phone. Left is OK. I have Oticon miniRite and did not have an issue with my iPhone 8. Had not upgraded to iOS 14 on the 8 so don't know if it is a phone issue or iOS issue.

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281 replies

gi249

Level 1

4 points

Nov 8, 2020 8:26 PM in response to TimLindner

I have the same issue with the iPhone 12 Pro (just upgraded ? from 8 plus) and Oticon Open. Spoke with tech support at Apple. He stated that he had not heard of this problem before. I referred him to this website since others were experiencing the same problem across many hearing aid brands. We tried resetting the network and updating to 14.2 (from 14.1). No change. His final solution was that I bring in this brand new phone to Best Buy and have them see if there was a problem with the phone. Is this the best that Apple can do?

Nov 9, 2020 3:45 AM in response to gi249

I had the same problem with the Apple tech. Couldn’t get him to understand I was not the only one with this static issue. He wanted me to give him the names and addresses of the other people. I also told him to go to this site.

I kept telling him Apple had to fix the problem.

BSMM6

Level 1

4 points

Nov 9, 2020 7:48 AM in response to HearingAides

Though I reported the other day that a suggested fix - turn off system sounds” - appeared to work with my Bernafon Zerena 9 hearing aids, in fact “static” has returned on occasion when I turn my head or am at some distance from my iPhone.

RiPrice

Level 1

4 points

Nov 10, 2020 9:14 AM in response to Buzzy48

Yes! My Widex Moment is cutting out and or creating a huge amount of static noise. I literally have to turn of the Hearing aid connection and listen through the phone speaker.

I want my old iPhone back!

Nov 10, 2020 4:38 PM in response to RiPrice

I got my IPhone 12pro over a week ago. The first day I had them the static was deafening. I have not heard or seen anything regarding a fix. This is a very serious problem. People suffering from Hearing Deficit, need their hearing aids to pair with their iPhone. Please make this a priority or refund us our money.

Sincerely Insurance 74.

Buzzy48

Level 1

4 points

May 26, 2021 6:30 AM in response to Insurance74

Spoke with a technician for over an hour! They are calling me back tomorrow on my home phone. I am keeping a log. I am up to 27 entries since 1:00 this afternoon. I am not sue if they are convinced that it is the phone! Frustrating! I had no issues with my old 6S!

RoseB

Level 1

4 points

Nov 11, 2020 3:17 AM in response to TimLindner

I've found that in addition to having System Sounds turned off rebooting my phone gives me a day or two of silence from the appalling static.

I have again today phoned Apple Support to ensure that they do have this logged as a known issue. Keeping fingers crossed for a resolution soon.

TimLindner Author

Level 1

21 points

Nov 11, 2020 6:34 AM in response to TimLindner

I spoke with Apple Tier 2 support yesterday for a while. She had me reset my network settings. It actually seemed to fix the issue but only briefly. She then asked me to back-up of my phone and try "Reset All Settings". It has been about 20 hours since I did this and it's been 99% better. I had one instance where my left aid lost connection & reconnected three times in a row. Outside of that, I've had two phone calls and I've listened to podcasts off and on without any issues. I have not been able to do any of this since getting my new iPhone 12 Pro.

Please make sure your iCloud backup is up-to-date or plug into your computer and get an iTunes backup before you do this. Note, it's not pleasant, all my settings like wallpaper, ringtones, face id, apple pay cards, passcode, etc. are all gone. BUT, if some rogue setting somewhere it causing this issue, it's potentially gone now and appears to be worth the trouble so far.

To try this, go to Settings > General > Reset > "Reset All Settings"

Remember to reenter your WiFi password when you get back up and running.

I'm curious if anyone else having issues will try this and if they experience positive results. I've asked if my ticket could remain open for a few days as I continue to use my phone to see if the issue resurfaces.

higgsiu

Level 1

14 points

Nov 11, 2020 7:17 AM in response to TimLindner

Hi Tim,

Thanks for your post. I also tried the "reset network settings" as well as a full "reset all settings" without any luck. I even used the phone briefly before restoring from backup to test the hearing aid connectivity. The phone was as clean as possible, nothing installed. I still had the exact same issues.

Currently I'm using my TV streamer 2 plugged into the headphone jack of the phone. The steamer sound is perfect. But it's a pain to setup for every call. Hopefully Apple fixes the issues with iOS 14.3.

Fred97-

Level 1

4 points

Nov 11, 2020 9:42 AM in response to TimLindner

Interesting - I have Widex Moment 440s and am experiencing similar problems. I spoke to Apple Support 5 days ago and was passed up a level. I was told that this is a known problem that they had been working on for a couple of days. They said it would be resolved by iOS update as soon as possible. Obviously 14.2 did not resolve it so I am hoping for 14.2.1! I suspect the more people who contact Apple Support about it the higher the priority will be.

Nov 11, 2020 11:12 AM in response to Fred97-

I don't think this is a software issue because my old iphone was running the same software and had no issue. For the iphone 12, Apple put a metal band around the outside of the phone, like they used to have back in old iphones and I'm wondering if that metal band is causing interference

Nov 13, 2020 11:50 AM in response to Androoboy

I received a call from Apple yesterday to tell me they now realize the problem is not my phone, but an issue with the 12. They are working on a fix and we should all keep checking for a software update since that is the most likely way this problem will be fixed.

Thank you all who emailed Apple with me.

Buzzy48

Level 1

4 points

Nov 13, 2020 4:57 PM in response to Garybjor1

Garybjor1, I have spoken with for different techs and keep being g sent further up the line. Today I spoke with Leon from the Accessibility Department. The engineers are very aware of this problem. It is NOT the hearing aid. It is the iPhone 12. There is nothing that can be done until the engineers put out a bug fix. He says ig will happen sooner than later! Frustrating! Did you know Apple has an Accessibility Department open 24 hours a day? Leon is the first one to admit to me that it is the 12.

TimLindner Author

Level 1

21 points

Nov 13, 2020 5:04 PM in response to Buzzy48

I have had another call with the tech following my initial full reset. She had me install a profile into my phone that captured bluetooth logs. We talked for 45 minutes attempting to recreate the problem. Luckily it happened twice during this time but she really wanted a third instance. I was getting some light static / poor quality at the end which we called the third recreation of the issue. Afterwards she had me submit the logs from my phone and remove the bluetooth logging. She said it would take 3+ days for engineers to look at it and respond. I also gave some screenshots and a video I recorded showing my ReSound app's status screen disconnecting and connecting while listening to a podcast. I hope with continued pressure from everyone here that they make this a priority. My worry is it's a hardware or 5G issue that isn't fixable with a software update. However, I would think the issue would be consistent if it were hardware related so maybe there is hope.

Nov 13, 2020 5:20 PM in response to Buzzy48

Yes I spoke with the Accessibility Dept. I was told they are aware of the problem but couldn’t give me a timeline! I have only a few days to return my iPhone 12 and will have to pay a restock fee! I don’t want to do that but I also don’t want to wait months for a fix! Hopefully it will be soon! A lot of people have this problem so it should be a priority!

iPhone 12 w/ iOS 14.1 poor hearing aid connectivity