Safety issue in the MFi audio streaming path

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Safety issue in the MFi audio streaming path

accessibility - Safety issue in the MFi audio streaming path -iPhone 15 Pro Max running iOS 26.6.1, paired with Oticon Opn S 1 miniRITE Made-for-iPhone hearing aids running firmware 8.0.

Intermittently, when an app or iOS interface event generates a short sound or initiates audio streaming, the hearing aids produce an extremely loud, heavily distorted burst of audio. The burst is precisely synchronized with activity on the iPhone, such as an app screen transition.

The hearing aids never exhibit distortion during normal hearing-aid operation. The problem occurs only when they are connected to the iPhone and receiving audio from it.

Because the resulting burst can be nearly painful in volume, this appears to be more than a normal Bluetooth connectivity or audio-quality issue and may represent a safety issue in the MFi audio streaming path.

iPhone 15 Pro Max

Posted on Sep 1, 2026 4:04 PM

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Answer 1

brbo

Level 8

43,525 points

Sep 8, 2026 12:17 AM in response to MikeWorkman583

Re: Safety issue in the MFi audio streaming path

Am no expert in this area, yet Apple supplies articles about hearing levels:

Eg: Wondering whether you may want to / be able to / set a volume limit.

See Apple's articles:

Sound and Hearing - Apple

and

Sound and Hearing FAQ - Apple

Also: Use Made for iPhone hearing devices - Apple Support

Eg: says:

"When your hearing device is connected to it, your Apple device can control microphone level (volume), audio presets and more for your hearing device. Find the settings here: iPhone, iPad or Apple Vision Pro:

Open Settings, tap Accessibility, then tap Hearing Devices.

To see more settings, tap the name of your connected hearing device."

_________________

Headphone Settings may or may not work with your particular hearing device:

Check your headphone audio levels on iPhone - Apple Support

Eg: says:

"Reduce loud headphone sounds

Go to the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap Sounds & Haptics, then tap Headphone Safety.
Turn on Reduce Loud Audio, then drag the slider.
iPhone analyzes your headphone audio and reduces any sound above the level you set."

You may want to reach out to the experts on Apple's accessibility team:

How to contact Apple for help with accessibility features - Apple Support

or

To provide feedback about an accessibility feature on an Apple product,

email the Accessibility team: accessibility@apple.com.

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