Hearing aid access on Apple Watch for calls/messages?

Will Apple be integrating the hearing aid assessibility it has on the iPhone to iwatch anytime soon? I hear all messages and calls to my phone through my hearing aids and it would be excellent to have the watch do the same, as it’s quite difficult to hear messages and calls from the watch speaker. Thanks in advance.

Posted on May 31, 2026 11:36 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jun 2, 2026 5:46 PM

Hi snmark!

Re: "Hearing aid access on Apple Watch for calls/messages?"


As Apple users in the community, just as you are, it is likely no-one here knows much more, if any, about what Apple will or will not do in the future, than you do.


We mostly find out such things at the time they are made public.

We can find out what information Apple releases by going to the Apple newsroom website:

Eg: In the May 19, 2026 Press Release article below

Apple unveils new accessibility features, and updates with Apple Intelligence - Apple

Amongst the new accessibility features: Apple says:

  • "Made for iPhone hearing aids pair and hand off between Apple devices more reliably, with an improved setup experience in iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS."


Sorry that the WatchOS is not mentioned.


If you'd like to watch out for future press-releases, or browse past ones: Here's the link for the Apple Newsroom itself: Newsroom - Apple

_______________________________________________________

Re: "... it’s quite difficult to hear messages and calls from the watch speaker."


Some time ago, (published April 26, 2023), a third-party (non-Apple) website provided tips on using hearing-aids with Apple Watch: The article would likely be quite out-of-date with current usage, yet it may still be worth browsing through for tips:

How to use your MFI hearing aids with your iPhone and Apple Watch


_____________________________________________________________

Re: "I hear all messages and calls to my phone through my hearing aids and it would be excellent to have the watch do the same ... "


If you wish: You can also send a "feature request" to Apple via their feedback website: (You could include a link to this discussion if you want, as Apple is unlikely to see your question here in the community.)

Feedback - Watch - Apple


All the best :-)

7 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jun 2, 2026 5:46 PM in response to snmark

Hi snmark!

Re: "Hearing aid access on Apple Watch for calls/messages?"


As Apple users in the community, just as you are, it is likely no-one here knows much more, if any, about what Apple will or will not do in the future, than you do.


We mostly find out such things at the time they are made public.

We can find out what information Apple releases by going to the Apple newsroom website:

Eg: In the May 19, 2026 Press Release article below

Apple unveils new accessibility features, and updates with Apple Intelligence - Apple

Amongst the new accessibility features: Apple says:

  • "Made for iPhone hearing aids pair and hand off between Apple devices more reliably, with an improved setup experience in iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS."


Sorry that the WatchOS is not mentioned.


If you'd like to watch out for future press-releases, or browse past ones: Here's the link for the Apple Newsroom itself: Newsroom - Apple

_______________________________________________________

Re: "... it’s quite difficult to hear messages and calls from the watch speaker."


Some time ago, (published April 26, 2023), a third-party (non-Apple) website provided tips on using hearing-aids with Apple Watch: The article would likely be quite out-of-date with current usage, yet it may still be worth browsing through for tips:

How to use your MFI hearing aids with your iPhone and Apple Watch


_____________________________________________________________

Re: "I hear all messages and calls to my phone through my hearing aids and it would be excellent to have the watch do the same ... "


If you wish: You can also send a "feature request" to Apple via their feedback website: (You could include a link to this discussion if you want, as Apple is unlikely to see your question here in the community.)

Feedback - Watch - Apple


All the best :-)

Jun 4, 2026 7:13 PM in response to snmark

as it stands now, My watch is considered a peripheral of my phone, and managing bluetooth connection to more than one device at a time, especially without an App directing traffic, is complex.


This if from resound smart 3D:


note that there is NO direct connection from hearing Aids to watch. it is ONLY through phone.

Tv/Micro-Mult is a TV streamer device, which appears when the TV streamer is active, and can be selected separately using the Resound App.



Jun 4, 2026 7:08 PM in response to snmark

<< There are times when I don’t need to carry my phone with me, ie shopping etc, as my watch is able to take phone calls, messages etc via its eSIM connection. I can even pay for all my shopping on my watch via the Wallet. >>


Ah, I understand now. I always have my phone, except when sleeping.


My hearing Aids are MFi, so the iPhone controls their settings, as well as provides audio. The Apple Watch has a version of the same App that can be used to discretely boostt the volume or change settings without pushing buttons at your ear or pulling out your phone to make changes to settings. My older Hearing Aids could provide call audio, but required the iPhone microphone..


I just upgraded to a new set of Hearing Aids, and the new ones can accept incoming call Audio AND use the Hearing Aids microphone, AND answer a call with a double-tap at my ear. So I don't need BOTH phone and watch -- either would suffice.


I think that feature (of connecting watch Audio to hearing devices, including earbuds or headsets) might also be useful where phones are prohibited, such as younger students in schools. They could have a cellular-capable watch connection to the world to arrange pickup and such, but not be web surfing or watching videos all day.


Jun 4, 2026 1:17 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hello Grant Bennet-Alder

Thank you for your questions. The hearing aids I use directly connect to my iPhone, no app required. I can therefore hear calls, messages and notifications through my hearing aids. There are times when I don’t need to carry my phone with me, ie shopping etc, as my watch is able to take phone calls, messages etc via its eSIM connection. I can even pay for all my shopping on my watch via the Wallet. All calls on my watch are heard via its speaker, and can sometimes not be heard by me in busy noisy shopping centres and the like. I was asking if Apple intend to implement the ability for the watch to be able to connect to my hearing aids in the same way the phone does. Hope this makes sense.

Hearing aid access on Apple Watch for calls/messages?

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