No, not in the usual way. Apple’s Live Listen is built for Made for iPhone (MFi) hearing devices and AirPods or Beats, and Phonak Audéo Sphere Infinio hearing aids connect to the iPhone with standard Bluetooth instead of the MFi hearing aid protocol. So Phonak Infinio Sphere Live Listen support isn’t something you can switch on in iOS. Phonak covers the same need with its own options, such as Spheric Speech Clarity in noise and Roger remote microphones.
Here’s why, what Phonak Infinio Sphere users can do instead, and which Apple hearing features still work.
Why Phonak Infinio Sphere Live Listen Doesn’t Show Up
Apple’s Live Listen support page describes it as turning your iPhone into a remote microphone for your Made for iPhone hearing device. You start it from Settings > Accessibility > Hearing Devices, under MFi Hearing Devices.
Phonak’s Bluetooth hearing aids, including the Infinio platform, are “made for all” devices. They pair like a Bluetooth headset (hands-free and audio streaming), so:
- They don’t appear under MFi Hearing Devices on the iPhone.
- The Start Live Listen button isn’t offered for them.
- The Hearing control in Control Center only offers Live Listen for MFi hearing aids and supported AirPods or Beats.
If you saw claims that Live Listen works natively with Infinio Sphere, they don’t match how Apple documents the feature.
What Works and What Doesn’t: Infinio Sphere + iPhone
| Feature | Works with Phonak Infinio Sphere? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Phone calls (hands-free) | Yes | Via Bluetooth after pairing |
| Music, video, and podcast streaming | Yes | Via Bluetooth |
| myPhonak app (volume, programs, Remote Support) | Yes | Requires iOS 16 or later |
| Apple Live Listen | No | Designed for MFi hearing aids and AirPods/Beats |
| Settings > Accessibility > Hearing Devices controls | No | MFi-only menu |
| Live Captions, Sound Recognition, Mono Audio | Yes | iPhone features that don’t depend on the hearing aid type (availability varies by model, language, and region) |
To set up the Bluetooth connection, see our myPhonak app pairing guide. On an older phone, read iPhone 6 and Phonak Bluetooth: what works.
Better Alternatives to Live Listen for Infinio Sphere Users
1. Spheric Speech Clarity (built into Sphere)
Audéo Sphere Infinio’s main selling point is a dedicated AI chip that Phonak says separates speech from background noise. In noisy restaurants or gatherings, this often covers the situations people want Live Listen for. Ask your hearing care professional to confirm the speech-in-noise program is set up and how it switches on (automatically or by program).
2. Phonak Roger remote microphones
Roger microphones, such as Roger On, are Phonak’s purpose-built remote mics. You place one on the table or clip it to a speaker, and it sends their voice to your hearing aids. Many current Phonak models receive Roger directly (RogerDirect). Compatibility and setup depend on your model and fitting, so check with your audiologist.
3. Phonak partner microphones
Phonak also offers a smaller clip-on microphone for one-to-one conversations on supported models. Check your model’s accessory list on phonak.com or with your hearing care professional.
4. Use the iPhone’s own accessibility tools
- Live Captions: real-time captions of speech around you or in apps, on supported iPhones and languages (Settings > Accessibility > Live Captions).
- Sound Recognition: alerts for sounds such as doorbells, alarms, or a baby crying.
- Mono Audio and Balance: useful if hearing differs a lot between ears.
Can Any Phonak Hearing Aid Use Live Listen?
Phonak’s current Bluetooth lineups (Marvel, Paradise, Lumity, Infinio) use universal Bluetooth rather than Apple’s MFi hearing aid protocol, so Live Listen isn’t a built-in option on them. If Live Listen specifically matters to you, ask your audiologist about MFi hearing aids from other brands, or use Live Listen with AirPods when you’re not wearing your hearing aids.
FAQ
Can Phonak Infinio Sphere use iPhone Live Listen?
Not natively. Live Listen is designed for Made for iPhone hearing devices and AirPods or Beats. Infinio Sphere connects with standard Bluetooth, so the Start Live Listen option doesn’t appear for it.
Are Phonak hearing aids Made for iPhone?
Phonak’s current Bluetooth models are made for all phones rather than MFi hearing aids. They pair with iPhone and Android for calls and streaming through standard Bluetooth.
What can I use instead of Live Listen with Phonak?
Use Sphere’s built-in speech-in-noise processing, a Phonak Roger microphone such as Roger On, or a Phonak partner microphone where supported. Your hearing care professional can confirm what works with your model.
Do iPhone Live Captions work with Phonak hearing aids?
Yes. Live Captions runs on the iPhone itself, so it works no matter which hearing aids you wear, on supported iPhone models and languages.
Can I stream calls and music from iPhone to Infinio Sphere?
Yes. After Bluetooth pairing, calls and media stream directly to Audéo Sphere Infinio, and the myPhonak app adds volume, program, and Remote Support controls on iOS 16 or later.
