mikebhm

Q: Apple Watch with Made-for-iPhone Hearing Aids: phone calls

Can someone clarify how the apple watch is supposed to work with MFI hearing aids. I am thinking of getting an apple watch but really need to understand how it is supposed to work....and whether it does.

 

If I have my iPhone in my pocket and watch on my wrist, I assume the phone will alert me to the incoming call. I believe I can answer the incoming call using the watch (phone stays in pocket), and the callers voice will stream straight to my hearing aids as now.


But main question: does the watch microphone automatically take over transmitting my voice? Do I need to hold the watch near my face or is the microphone sensitive enough on my wrist with my hands at my sides?

 

Does all the above work well? speedy connections, clarity of sound?

 

There is a thread  watch and Starkey Halo's saying streaming phone isn't working. I have ReSound Enzo 9s.

 

Thanks

iPhone 6 Plus, iOS 8.3, null

Posted on Jun 1, 2015 9:19 AM

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Q: Apple Watch with Made-for-iPhone Hearing Aids: phone calls

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  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Jun 1, 2015 9:19 AM in response to mikebhm
    Level 9 (57,858 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 1, 2015 9:19 AM in response to mikebhm

    I suggest you contact Resound directly. There was a news item on CNN regarding the Resound, the Apple Watch and the iPhone. Here is a link to that video. See if that helps, otherwise you will need to contact Resound. http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2015/05/11/apple-watch-hearing-aids.cnnmon ey

  • by mikebhm,

    mikebhm mikebhm Jun 1, 2015 9:41 AM in response to ChrisJ4203
    Level 1 (39 points)
    Accessibility
    Jun 1, 2015 9:41 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

    Thanks for quick reply and link.

     

    The link doesn't seem to have anything about using the watch for phone calls. I can understand (I think) how the watch can replace the phone for controlling the hearing aids and streaming music....it is the phone call aspect I can't get my head round, particularly the microphone and my voice aspects.

     

    I will contact ReSound, but hope there might be some users here with first hand in the field experience.

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Jun 1, 2015 9:54 AM in response to mikebhm
    Level 9 (57,858 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 1, 2015 9:54 AM in response to mikebhm

    It seems after reading the other thread you referenced, and I had been reading it as well, it seems with some hearing aids, like the Starkey, you need to answer the call on the phone, since the hearing aids pair with the phone and not the watch. I'm not exactly sure how the Resounds work, so that is why I suggest contacting them direct. I did look at their website after seeing the CNN story, so they make have some FAQ on the website, otherwise it may require you calling or sending them a message.

     

    I would be interested in what you find out, since I've been considering Resound. My audiologist has said I may be needing hearing aids soon. I've been able to work around them for the past couple of years, but I seem to be getting worse.

  • by gnresound,

    gnresound gnresound Jun 3, 2015 1:25 PM in response to mikebhm
    Level 1 (25 points)
    Jun 3, 2015 1:25 PM in response to mikebhm

    Hi Mike. The Apple Watch will allow you to access and adjust many of the hearing aid functions including adjustments to your volume, mute,  bass and treble settings, programs as well as having the ability to switch to any of your saved favorites.  With the Apple Watch, the call audio will still be sent to the hearing aids, but you will need to use the microphone on your phone to speak to people. This is a current limitation of the interaction of the iPhone and the Apple Watch with the ReSound MFi hearing aids.  If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Consumer technical Support team at: 888-735-4327 and choose option 1.

  • by mikebhm,

    mikebhm mikebhm Jun 3, 2015 1:34 PM in response to gnresound
    Level 1 (39 points)
    Accessibility
    Jun 3, 2015 1:34 PM in response to gnresound

    Thanks for info.

     

    I have (just) now got an apple watch, and find that controlling the hearing aids from watch works well, streaming music selected on watch streams direct to hearing aids works well, but not phone calls...just like the other thread about the Starkey Halos.

     

    If I answer a call on the watch the callers voice can only be heard from the watch loud speaker, not streamed.

     

    Because it is so new to me I may be missing something, but that is what is happening at the moment.

     

    Since Starkeys and ReSound seem to have the same problem I guess it is probably in Apples court to fix.

  • by Phototucker,

    Phototucker Phototucker Feb 2, 2016 12:20 PM in response to ChrisJ4203
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 2, 2016 12:20 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

    I bought a AW before Christmas with the idea of using the watch with my resound hearing aids. I can use the watch to answer the phone , but not hear the caller with my hearing aids. I can only use it as a speaker phone.I called resound and they said it was up to apple to fix the app. Does any one know when this could occur?  Any help would be great.

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Feb 2, 2016 12:29 PM in response to Phototucker
    Level 9 (57,858 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 2, 2016 12:29 PM in response to Phototucker

    I believe this may have something to do with what you have paired the hearing aids to. If they are paired to the phone, then you would need to answer the call on the phone. From what I have read, I believe this is the only way to get the call answered so you can use your hearing aids.

     

    Secondly, the statement that Resound made that it is up to Apple to fix the app is not correct. Apple does not develop or provide support for Resound's app or any other 3rd party app. That is the responsibility of the app developer and the company.

     

    If you do a search here on the forum, there are a number of other threads regarding hearing aids and using them with Apple devices. You may find more information there.