with iPhone 8 and Hearing Aids

Question

Level 1

9 points

with iPhone 8 and Hearing Aids

I am relieved to find others are having Bluetooth issues because that gives me hope that Apple is working on a solution. I upgraded from an iPhone 6+ to an 8 and have never had problems with the connection between my ReSound Cala 8 hearing aids until switching to iPhone 8. I do every single update as soon as it’s available but nothing has helped. I’ve rebooted, tried forgetting and repairing, every suggestion I’ve been able to find to no avail.

I depend on my hearing aids to talk on the phone. When I answer the phone and it takes 10-15 seconds before I can hear the caller, I risk losing my clients. I’m going back to Costco and plead my case to let me return the 8 and get a 7 instead. I spent over an hour at the Apple store last weekend. They ran diagnostics, paired it with a Bluetooth device, and said it was not a problem with the phone. But I didn’t have a problem with my 6+. I’m extremely disappointed with Apple for not acknowledging this problem and offering a buy out or some other solution.

Posted on Nov 17, 2017 9:37 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 10, 2018 10:01 AM in response to Sippsters

I upgraded from an iPhone 6 to an iPhone 8+, then the problems began. I have tried everything. I have contacted ReSound on their consumer hot line twice. Once I talked to a sympathetic person that said it was a known problem. She tried to give me a "work around" that was useless. The second person that I talked to said I needed to do a hard reset on the iPhone. He wanted to walk me through it. I told him I could do that myself. That did nothing.

I am not 100% sure yet, but try this:

Settings>General>Accessibility>MFi Hearing Aids

Audio Routing: Automatic for both "call" and "media."
Audio Handoff: Off

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Answer 2

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

230,347 points

Nov 17, 2017 9:47 PM in response to Sippsters

While I've seen other threads about hearing aids, and I have one myself, I've not experienced any issues with mine. I have a Resound Linx, and have not experienced any issues, and I had an iPhone 7, and am now using an iPhone X. Some users have indicated it has to do with the firmware on the hearing aid, and your audiologist should be able to help you with that. Resound can also tell you if they support the latest Bluetooth stack on the newest iPhones, and if there is an update to the Resound app on the iPhone. My Linx is newer and did not need an update, but my audiologist did check for me, although I've not experienced any issues. The problem is more than likely the firmware on the hearing aid.

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Answer 3

Sippsters Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 22, 2017 7:37 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

I took my hearing aids to my audiologist and she confirmed that they have the latest firmware. She also did the usual unpair my headphones, re-pair them, reboot my phone... I'm still having the same issues. I noticed today while I was receiving a call and looking at my phone, the phone was ringing but not in my headphones like they're supposed to. After about 10 seconds, the little bluetooth symbol came on next to the battery level indicator in the top right and at that moment the sound came through on my hearing aids. That confirms to me that the iPhone is not keeping bluetooth turned on. Receiving a call seems to wake it up after 10-15 seconds. I guess the next step is to do a warranty exchange and see if I have this problem with a new phone. If it's still happening, then this is a problem with Apple iOS or the iPhone 8 itself in my opinion. As I stated before, I did not have this problem with my iPhone 6+

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Answer 4

Dec 6, 2017 8:31 AM in response to Sippsters

Exact same problem. I’ve tried everything I can think of including resetting all settings. Did you find a solution? The phone calls came in fine, with no delay, when I unpaired all other bluetooth devices. But that’s not a practical solution. I also notice that when bluetooth is off, my resound Lynx2 hearing aids are still connected. Maybe via NFC (near field communication)? Please post if you found a resolution.

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Answer 5

Sippsters Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 6, 2017 8:37 AM in response to socraties

No, I haven't found a resolution. I've thought of doing a warranty exchange but I have a feeling it wouldn't help. I've also thought of trying to sell this new iPhone 8 and getting an X but again, I don't know if it would help.

Have you tried contacting Resound to see if it's a problem they're aware of? I haven't had a chance to contact them yet.

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Answer 6

Dec 19, 2017 10:10 AM in response to Sippsters

Thank you for the response. I followed up with Resound. As of today, they say it is a known issue on a small number of devices and they are working with Apple to find a solution. It's not clear to me how we will know when, what, or how to fix it. But it is a known issue with later versions of iOS 11. Also, I've reset the device and done everything I can on my end with no luck.

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Answer 7

Sippsters Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 19, 2017 10:11 AM in response to socraties

Thank you for contacting Resound. I haven't had a chance to do that yet. And it's a relief to know it's an issue they know about and that they're working on it! Please follow up if you hear anything new, and I'll do the same!

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Answer 8

tom2012

Level 1

4 points

Jan 29, 2018 4:08 PM in response to Sippsters

I too have this same problem when I switched from the iPhone X from an iPhone 6s. The 6s worked flawlessly but the iPhone X can take up to 45 seconds for the call audio to be routed to the phone. Since this is a rare problem and I have been working with both Apple and ReSound I wanted to ask if you are an Apple Watch user. The reason I ask is because of the "Rule" that an Apple Watch eliminates messages tones on the phone and could this be a possible source to the issue the routing getting messed up?

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Answer 9

Sippsters Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 10, 2018 10:07 AM in response to commishm1

Thanks commishm1. I'll try this configuration of settings and see if it makes any difference. Fingers crossed!

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Answer 10

Sippsters Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 29, 2018 4:11 PM in response to tom2012

No, I'm not an Apple watch user.

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