The basic connection process
Most modern hearing aids connect to iPhones through Bluetooth, the same wireless technology that links your phone to car speakers or wireless headphones. The process takes about five minutes the first time, then your phone remembers the connection automatically.
The steps are: turn on your hearing aids, open Settings on your iPhone, go to Bluetooth, find your hearing aid model in the list, and tap it. Your phone will ask you to confirm the pairing. Once paired, your hearing aids will reconnect whenever they're near your iPhone and both are turned on.
Not all hearing aids support iPhone connection — older models and some budget brands do not have Bluetooth built in. Check your hearing aid manual or ask your audiologist whether your specific model can pair with phones. If your aids do not have Bluetooth, you cannot use this method.
Key Takeaways
- Hearing aids with Bluetooth pair through your iPhone's Settings app under Bluetooth, the same way you'd connect wireless headphones.
- The first pairing takes a few minutes; after that, your phone reconnects automatically when the aids are nearby and powered on.
- Once paired, you can stream phone calls and audio directly to your hearing aids instead of using your phone's speaker.
- Older hearing aids and some budget models do not have Bluetooth, so check your manual or ask your audiologist before assuming your aids can connect.
- If pairing fails, restart both your hearing aids and your iPhone, then try again — this solves most connection problems.
What you need before you start
Your iPhone must be running iOS 12.2 or later. Most iPhones from 2015 onward meet this requirement, but if your phone is very old, check Settings > General > About to see which iOS version you have. If you're more than three versions behind the current release, update your phone first.
Your hearing aids need to be fully charged or have fresh batteries, depending on the model. Low battery can prevent pairing or cause the connection to drop. Check that both your hearing aids and your iPhone have Bluetooth turned on — Bluetooth is on by default on iPhones, but you can verify it in Settings > Bluetooth.
You will also need your hearing aid model number and the name of the manufacturer. This information is usually printed inside the battery door or on the back of the aid itself. Some manufacturers require you to read a companion app before pairing, so check the manual that came with your aids.
Step-by-step pairing instructions
Step 1: Prepare your hearing aids. Make sure both aids are powered on. Some models have a power button; others turn on when you close the battery door. Leave them in their normal position — you do not need to hold them near your phone.
Step 2: Open Bluetooth settings. On your iPhone, tap Settings, then tap Bluetooth. You should see a list of available devices. If Bluetooth is off, the toggle at the top will be gray — tap it to turn it on.
Step 3: Find your hearing aids in the list. Your hearing aids will appear by their model name or brand name, such as "Phonak Marvel" or "ReSound Linx." If you do not see them after 30 seconds, turn your hearing aids off and back on, then wait another 30 seconds.
Step 4: Tap to pair. Tap the name of your hearing aids in the Bluetooth list. Your iPhone will show "Connecting" for a few seconds, then "Connected." Some models ask you to confirm the pairing on the hearing aid itself — if a menu appears on your aid, follow the on-screen prompt on your phone.
Step 5: Test the connection. Make a test call to yourself or a friend, or play a song from your music app. You should hear the audio in your hearing aids, not through your phone's speaker. If you hear nothing, restart both devices and try again.
What happens after you pair
Once paired, your hearing aids and iPhone stay connected as long as they are within about 30 feet of each other and both are powered on. When you receive a phone call, the audio will route to your hearing aids automatically — you do not have to do anything. You can answer the call by tapping your phone or, on some models, by tapping a button on the hearing aid itself.
Music, podcasts, audiobooks, and other audio from your phone will also stream to your hearing aids. You control the volume using your phone's volume buttons or, on many models, using a button or swipe gesture on the hearing aid. Some hearing aids have a companion app that lets you adjust settings like bass and treble — check whether your brand offers one.
Your phone will remember this pairing permanently. The next time you turn on your hearing aids near your iPhone, they will reconnect without you having to do anything. If you get a new iPhone, you will need to pair your hearing aids again on the new phone.
Troubleshooting when pairing does not work
If your hearing aids do not appear in the Bluetooth list, first check that they are actually powered on — some models have a very subtle power indicator. Turn them off completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn them back on. Then go back to your iPhone's Bluetooth settings and wait 30 seconds for them to reappear.
If they still do not show up, restart your iPhone. Hold down the power button until you see "Slide to Power Off," swipe to shut down, wait 10 seconds, then hold the power button again to turn it back on. Once your iPhone restarts, turn on your hearing aids and check Bluetooth settings again.
If pairing succeeds but then disconnects during a call or audio playback, the problem is usually interference or distance. Move your phone and hearing aids closer together, away from other wireless devices like routers or microwaves. If the problem persists, forget the pairing and pair again: go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the "i" icon next to your hearing aids, and tap "Forget This Device."
If none of these steps work, contact your audiologist or the hearing aid manufacturer's support line. Some models have a reset procedure that requires pressing buttons in a specific sequence, and your audiologist can walk you through it.
When to use hearing aid apps instead
Many hearing aid manufacturers offer their own apps — Phonak has the Phonak app, ReSound has ReSound Smart, Widex has Widex Moment, and so on. These apps do not replace Bluetooth pairing; they work alongside it. The app lets you adjust volume, switch between listening programs, and sometimes control which ear receives audio.
If your hearing aids have an app, you can read it from the App Store before or after pairing. The app will ask you to pair with your hearing aids again — this is normal and separate from the Bluetooth pairing you already did. Once both the Bluetooth connection and the app are set up, you can use either one to control your hearing aids.
Some people use the app only when they need to make adjustments, and let Bluetooth handle the audio streaming. Others use the app constantly. There is no right way — it depends on what features matter to you and how often you want to change settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pair my hearing aids with multiple iPhones at once?
Most hearing aids can pair with multiple devices, but they can only stream audio from one at a time. If you have both an iPhone and an iPad, you can pair your hearing aids with both. When you make a call on your iPhone, the audio goes to your hearing aids; when you switch to your iPad, the audio switches too. You do not have to unpair and re-pair.
What if my hearing aids are older and do not have Bluetooth?
Older hearing aids without Bluetooth cannot connect to your iPhone wirelessly. You can still use your phone normally — just listen through the speaker or with earbuds. Some manufacturers offer wireless accessories that sit between your phone and your hearing aids, but these are separate purchases and require their own pairing process.
Will connecting my hearing aids drain my iPhone battery faster?
Bluetooth uses very little power. Streaming audio to your hearing aids will use slightly more battery than not streaming, but the difference is usually less than 5% per day. If battery life is a concern, turn off Bluetooth when you are not using your hearing aids, or enable Low Power Mode in Settings > Battery.
Can I use hearing aids with an older iPhone model?
Your iPhone needs iOS 12.2 or later to pair with most modern hearing aids. If your phone is running an older version, check Settings > General > About to see your iOS version. If you cannot update your phone to iOS 12.2 or later, your hearing aids may not pair. Contact your audiologist to confirm compatibility.
What if I lose the Bluetooth connection during a phone call?
If the connection drops mid-call, the audio will automatically switch to your phone's speaker. You can continue the call through the speaker, or hang up and try pairing again. To prevent this, keep your phone and hearing aids within 30 feet of each other and away from sources of interference like microwaves or cordless phones.