Cannot reroute iPhone audio from hearing aids to speakers after iOS 27 update

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Lucas1948 Author

Level 1

137 points

Cannot reroute iPhone audio from hearing aids to speakers after iOS 27 update

I use hearing aids that use Bluetooth to deliver sound from my iPhone—music, phone calls, YouTube—to my ears. From time to time, I choose to switch from my earbuds (hearing aids) to my phone speakers to allow others to hear what’s playing on my phone.

I’ve just upgraded to iOS 27, and it appears I can no longer reroute my audio at will. In Settings > Accessibility > Hearing Devices > Audio Routing and Handoff, I expect to see three choices under Media: Always, Automatic, and Never. As I have understood for years, Always sent the audio always to my hearing aides; tapping Never routed audio to my iPhone speakers. Now I can see the word Never, but it’s grayed out. What am I missing?

iPhone 16 Pro Max, iOS 27

Posted on Sep 23, 2026 5:42 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Lucas1948 Author

Level 1

137 points

Sep 24, 2026 11:09 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

I finally figured it out and found an easier way to switch between audio outputs. The support page for my hearing aids had the answer. I go to Control Center and tap the box that has the Play button. At the bottom sits a button that reads “Xxxx’s hearing aids.” I tap that button to open a smaller box where I can choose “iPhone speaker.” That’s all there is to it. Thanks, everyone!

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Answer 2

picas

Level 7

21,617 points

Sep 23, 2026 10:02 PM in response to Lucas1948

See if you can route audio to either your hearing aids or iPhone through Control Centre.

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Answer 3

Sep 24, 2026 8:19 AM in response to Lucas1948

if this is a minor annoyance, you can get your complaint sent as an informal Bug Report sent to the appropriate Developers by using the product feedback pages:

Product Feedback - Apple

If this is still an ongoing issue for you, contact support, or contact Accessibility support. They will work with you on "the obvious stuff" to try to find a resolution. If no joy, then be assertive and ASK them to have a Specialist contact you to pursue this further.

The outcome you are seeking is a solution -- or a Formal, Tracked Bug Report on File.

Official Apple Support

Accessibility Support - Official Apple Support

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Answer 4

Sep 24, 2026 7:05 AM in response to Lucas1948

what make& model hearing Aids?

are these MFi or not?

have you checked with your hearing provider for a software update to match iOS 27?

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Answer 5

Sep 24, 2026 8:16 AM in response to Lucas1948

Those appears to be MFI hearing aids. Also, it may support TWO-WAY Bluetooth communication with your phone, allowing, among other tricks, for its microphone to be used for Phone calls.

This is the master list of MFI devices Apple keeps:

List of Made for iPhone hearing devices - Apple Support

MFi hearing devices marked with an asterisk (*) in the list use bidirectional streaming, which allows you to talk hands-free. MFi hearing devices without an asterisk use unidirectional streaming.

and unidirectional means, "talk into the base of your iPhone instead"

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