How to Connect Phonak to iPhone for Telephone Call

Connecting Phonak hearing aids to an iPhone for phone calls lets you hear conversations through compatible hearing aids instead of relying on the phone’s speaker. The setup uses Bluetooth, but the steps can differ between rechargeable models, battery-powered models, and newer Phonak devices. This guide explains how to pair them, route calls, adjust the sound, and fix common connection problems.

Set Up iPhone Bluetooth for Phonak Hearing Aids

Start by opening Settings > Bluetooth on your iPhone and switching Bluetooth on. Keep this screen open while preparing your Phonak hearing aids so you can select them as soon as they become discoverable.

Check these items before pairing:

• Your iPhone has Bluetooth enabled.
• Your hearing aids are switched on and have enough battery power.
• The hearing aids are close to the iPhone.
• You know whether your devices are rechargeable or use replaceable batteries.
• Any nearby phone or tablet already connected to the hearing aids is not taking over the Bluetooth connection.

Phonak hearing aids that support direct Bluetooth calling typically connect through the regular iPhone Bluetooth menu. You do not normally need to pair them through Settings > Accessibility > Hearing Devices, which is mainly used for Apple’s Made for iPhone hearing devices.

Phonak’s smartphone connectivity instructions also explain why some models use separate connections for phone audio and app controls.

Put Your Phonak Hearing Aids in Pairing Mode

Phonak hearing aids must enter Bluetooth pairing mode before your iPhone can find them. Restarting the hearing aids usually activates this mode automatically.

The restart method depends on whether your hearing aids are rechargeable or use disposable batteries.

How Does Phonak Pairing Mode Work?

When your hearing aids enter pairing mode, they become visible to nearby compatible Bluetooth devices. According to Phonak, this discovery period lasts 3 minutes.

During this period, your iPhone can detect the hearing aids and create a Bluetooth connection for calls and audio streaming.

On many Phonak models, the Bluetooth device appears as one of these names:

• R-Phonak hearing aid
• L-Phonak hearing aid
• A custom name assigned by your hearing care professional

The displayed name does not always tell you how many hearing aids will receive sound. On Phonak systems that use one Bluetooth Classic audio connection, a single pairing can deliver call audio to both hearing aids.

Pairing Steps for Rechargeable Phonak Hearing Aids

Rechargeable Phonak hearing aids usually enter pairing mode after you switch them off and on using their charger. You can also restart supported models using their control buttons.

1. Connect the hearing aid charger to power, or confirm that your portable charger has enough charge.
2. Place your hearing aids in the charger for at least 10 seconds.
3. Remove the hearing aids from the charger.
4. Watch for the green indicator light showing that the hearing aids have restarted.
5. Open the iPhone Bluetooth list and continue pairing within 3 minutes.

If the hearing aids do not restart when removed, their Auto-on feature may be disabled.

For compatible rechargeable models, Phonak provides another method:

1. Press and hold the lower part of the hearing aid button until the indicator flashes red.
2. Press the button again until the indicator flashes green.
3. Repeat for the other hearing aid if required.
4. Return to the iPhone Bluetooth menu and look for the Phonak device.

These methods come from Phonak’s official iPhone Bluetooth pairing guide. Button designs can vary by model, so use the instructions for your hearing aids if their controls work differently.

Pairing Phonak Hearing Aids With Replaceable Batteries

For Phonak hearing aids with replaceable batteries, opening and closing the battery compartment restarts the devices and activates pairing mode.

1. Open the battery door on each hearing aid.
2. Leave the doors open for 5 seconds.
3. Close the battery doors completely.
4. Keep the hearing aids near your iPhone.
5. Find and select the Phonak device in the Bluetooth list.

Use fresh batteries if the hearing aids do not power on or are not detected.

If the hearing aids fail to appear, repeat the restart process and try again during the 3-minute pairing window.

How to Pair Phonak Hearing Aids With iPhone for Phone Calls

Once Bluetooth is enabled and your hearing aids are discoverable, you can complete the connection through the iPhone Bluetooth settings. The main goal is to establish the connection used for phone calls and media streaming, not only the connection used by the myPhonak app.

Step 1: Prepare the iPhone

Open the Bluetooth menu and confirm that your iPhone is searching for nearby devices.

1. Unlock your iPhone.
2. Open Settings.
3. Tap Bluetooth.
4. Turn Bluetooth on.
5. Leave the Bluetooth settings screen open.

If the hearing aids were previously paired and already show as connected, you may not need to pair them again.

Make a test call first. If calls do not work, continue with the connection checks below.

Step 2: Select Your Phonak Hearing Aids

Restart your hearing aids using the correct rechargeable or battery-door method. Wait for their name to appear in the iPhone Bluetooth device list.

1. Locate the Phonak device under the available Bluetooth devices.
2. Tap the correct hearing aid name.
3. Accept the Bluetooth pairing request if your iPhone displays one.
4. Wait for the connection to finish.

Depending on the model, the phone may show only one main Phonak audio device even when you wear two hearing aids.

Do not confuse the main call connection with an entry beginning with LE_. On many earlier Phonak models, LE connections use Bluetooth Low Energy for app communication, while the main Bluetooth connection handles phone calls and music.

Step 3: Confirm the Hearing Aids Are Connected

Phonak hearing aids typically make a confirmation beep when Bluetooth pairing succeeds. The iPhone should also show the connected device in Bluetooth settings.

To check the connection:

1. Look for your Phonak device under the iPhone’s paired Bluetooth devices.
2. Confirm that its status shows Connected.
3. Call a trusted contact or voicemail.
4. Check whether you can hear the call through your hearing aids.
5. Ask the other person whether they can hear your voice clearly.

If the call still plays through the iPhone speaker, the Bluetooth connection may be working, but the phone may be using a different audio destination.

You can correct this without repeating the entire pairing process.

Route iPhone Calls to Your Phonak Hearing Aids

Pairing your hearing aids does not always mean every call will automatically play through them. Your iPhone can choose between connected Bluetooth devices, its internal earpiece, and its speaker.

You can change the audio destination during a call or set a preferred route for future calls.

Choose Phonak During a Phone Call

1. Make or answer a phone call on your iPhone.
2. On the call screen, tap Audio.
3. Find your Phonak hearing aids in the available audio destinations.
4. Tap the Phonak device name.
5. Listen for the caller through your hearing aids.

This is useful when your iPhone remains connected to Phonak but sends the sound through its speaker.

Set Phonak as the Preferred Call Audio Device

If calls frequently go to the iPhone instead of your hearing aids, change the iPhone’s call audio routing preference.

1. Open iPhone Settings.
2. Tap Accessibility.
3. Tap Touch.
4. Select Call Audio Routing.
5. Choose Bluetooth Headset.

This setting prefers a connected Bluetooth call device. It may also affect other Bluetooth headsets, so remember the setting if you use several audio accessories.

Apple documents the menu under Call Audio Routing in iPhone Accessibility settings.

Answer Phone Calls Using Your Hearing Aids

Many compatible Phonak hearing aids let you answer calls without touching the iPhone. The available controls depend on the hearing aid model and how your hearing care professional has configured it.

On supported models, a short press of the multi-function button accepts a call. Holding the button for more than 2 seconds rejects an incoming call.

Some hearing aids also support tap controls for answering or ending calls.

Phonak’s call button troubleshooting instructions explain that these functions can be disabled in hearing aid settings or changed by a hearing care professional.

If you cannot answer through the hearing aids, try answering on the iPhone and manually choosing the Phonak audio destination.

Adjust Phonak Call Volume for Better Clarity

You can adjust the volume of a Phonak phone call using the iPhone’s side buttons while the call is active. Some hearing aid models also allow adjustments through their own buttons or the myPhonak app.

Start with a comfortable level rather than immediately turning the volume to its maximum.

1. Increase the iPhone call volume if voices sound too quiet.
2. Reduce the volume if speech sounds uncomfortable or distorted.
3. Check that the call audio is actually routed to the hearing aids.
4. Use the hearing aid volume controls if your model supports them.
5. Try a quieter room if background noise makes conversation difficult.

Can You Adjust Call Volume in the myPhonak App?

The answer depends on your hearing aid model.

• Phonak Infinio: The myPhonak app can adjust volume during calls, including when the app and call are on the same phone.
• Phonak Lumity and Paradise: When the same smartphone handles the call and runs myPhonak, app volume adjustments are not available during the call. Use the phone or hearing aid controls instead.
• Different calling and app devices: On Lumity and Paradise, the app can adjust volume when it runs on a different device from the one handling the call.

These differences are described in Phonak’s guidance on adjusting call volume with myPhonak.

If speech remains unclear despite a stable connection and comfortable volume, a hearing care professional can review your fitting and streaming settings.

Set Up the myPhonak App on iPhone

The myPhonak app gives compatible hearing aid users extra controls, including volume changes, hearing programs, battery information, and other model-dependent features.

The app is useful, but app pairing and phone-call pairing are not always the same connection.

How to Pair Phonak Hearing Aids With myPhonak

1. Open the Apple App Store on your iPhone.
2. Search for myPhonak and install the app.
3. Check that Bluetooth is enabled in iPhone Settings.
4. Open myPhonak and follow the initial setup screens.
5. Choose Pair hearing aids when the app offers that option.
6. Restart the hearing aids to activate pairing mode.
7. Wait for the app to detect your hearing aids.
8. If you wear two hearing aids, wait until both appear.
9. Tap Pair and approve the iPhone’s pairing requests for each hearing aid.

Once pairing finishes, the app should show your connected devices and available controls.

Why the App Can Connect While Phone Calls Do Not

Many older Phonak hearing aids use two types of Bluetooth connections:

• Bluetooth Classic: Handles compatible phone calls and media streaming.
• Bluetooth Low Energy: Allows the myPhonak app to communicate with the hearing aids.

For these models, successfully pairing the app does not necessarily establish the separate audio connection used for calls.

After setting up myPhonak, look for See instructions or Optional settings if the app offers it. Follow those steps to complete Bluetooth phone-call pairing.

However, Phonak Infinio Ultra hearing aids and newer supported models automatically enable phone calls and audio streaming during the myPhonak pairing process.

Phonak explains this difference in its official myPhonak pairing instructions for iPhone.

Why You May See Multiple Phonak Bluetooth Devices

Seeing several Phonak entries in your iPhone Bluetooth list does not automatically mean something is wrong.

With some earlier Phonak generations, including Lumity and Paradise, the phone can show three entries:

• One main Bluetooth connection for calls and streaming.
• One Bluetooth Low Energy connection for the right hearing aid.
• One Bluetooth Low Energy connection for the left hearing aid.

Phonak explains this arrangement in its guide to multiple hearing aid entries in Bluetooth settings.

For Infinio Ultra and newer supported devices, the arrangement differs. Phonak explains that two Bluetooth entries can be normal because the devices handle app and audio connections differently.

If you upgraded Infinio devices to Ultra, use Phonak’s Infinio Ultra Bluetooth pairing guidance before deleting connections that may still be working.

Fix Common Phonak iPhone Pairing Issues

Most Phonak-to-iPhone connection problems involve Bluetooth settings, pairing mode, separate app connections, or call audio routing. Start with the simplest checks before deleting saved connections.

Phonak Hearing Aids Do Not Appear in Bluetooth

If the iPhone cannot find the hearing aids, pairing mode may have expired or the devices may not have restarted correctly.

1. Confirm both hearing aids have enough battery power.
2. Turn Bluetooth off and on again in iPhone Settings.
3. Restart the hearing aids to reactivate pairing mode.
4. Keep them close to the iPhone.
5. Wait briefly for the Bluetooth list to refresh.

If the hearing aids still do not appear, restart the iPhone and repeat the process.

Hearing Aids Are Connected but Phone Calls Do Not Work

This usually points to an audio routing problem or a missing call-streaming connection.

• Confirm the Phonak device is connected in iPhone Bluetooth settings.
• During a call, select Phonak from the Audio menu.
• Check Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Call Audio Routing.
• For earlier Phonak generations, confirm that the main audio connection is paired, not just the app connections.
• For supported Infinio Ultra models, confirm Bluetooth streaming has not been disabled in myPhonak.

The Other Person Cannot Hear Your Voice

When a supported Phonak hands-free call is correctly routed, the hearing aid microphones can pick up your voice.

If the person on the other end cannot hear you clearly, try these checks:

1. Confirm the call is using the Phonak Bluetooth audio connection.
2. Move away from loud background noise.
3. Check your cellular or Wi-Fi calling signal.
4. Inspect the hearing aid microphone openings for visible debris.
5. Clean the microphone openings only as directed by the hearing aid manufacturer.
6. Try routing the call to your iPhone and speaking through its microphone to compare the results.

If the iPhone microphone works but the hearing aid microphones do not, ask your hearing care professional to check the microphone and hands-free calling settings.

myPhonak Connects to Only One Hearing Aid

If only one hearing aid appears in myPhonak, the missing device may have a low battery, a temporary Bluetooth problem, or a firmware difference.

Restart both hearing aids and retry app pairing. If that does not work, remove the app pairing and connect both devices again.

A hearing care professional can confirm whether both hearing aids have matching firmware when the problem continues.

How to Remove and Re-Pair Phonak Hearing Aids

If the simpler fixes fail, deleting the existing Bluetooth connections and pairing again can restore communication.

1. Open Settings > Bluetooth on your iPhone.
2. Find the saved Phonak hearing aid entries.
3. Tap the information icon beside an entry.
4. Select Forget This Device.
5. Repeat for the other Phonak entries that need to be reset.
6. Open myPhonak and remove its saved hearing aid pairing under the device management settings.
7. Restart your iPhone and hearing aids.
8. Follow the pairing instructions again for your hearing aid generation.

For Lumity, Paradise, and other earlier generations, Phonak provides a dedicated Bluetooth and myPhonak connection troubleshooting procedure.

Newer Infinio Ultra devices use a different pairing arrangement, so follow the instructions specific to that model.

Also check for available iPhone software and myPhonak app updates. Hearing aid firmware updates may require assistance from your hearing care professional.

Key Takeaways

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can I Hear Phone Calls on My Hearing Aid?

You can hear phone calls through compatible Phonak hearing aids by connecting them to your iPhone using Bluetooth. During a call, tap Audio and select your Phonak device. Supported hearing aids may also let you answer calls directly using their buttons or tap controls.

How Do I Connect Phonak to My iPhone?

Open Settings > Bluetooth on your iPhone and turn Bluetooth on. Restart your Phonak hearing aids to activate pairing mode, then choose their name from the Bluetooth list. Accept any pairing request and check that the connection is active before making a test call.

Why Won’t My Phonak Hearing Aid Connect to My Phone?

Your Phonak hearing aid may fail to connect because of low battery power, expired pairing mode, Bluetooth interference, or a saved connection problem. Restart the hearing aid and iPhone, then try pairing again. If needed, remove the old Bluetooth connection before reconnecting.

How Do I Pair My Hearing Aid to My Cell Phone?

To pair a compatible hearing aid with a cellphone, turn on the phone’s Bluetooth feature and place the hearing aid in pairing mode. Select its name from the available devices and confirm the connection. The exact restart method depends on the hearing aid manufacturer and model.

Do I Need the myPhonak App to Make iPhone Calls?

You do not generally need the myPhonak app to make calls through Phonak hearing aids that support direct Bluetooth calling. The app provides additional controls and setup features. With Infinio Ultra and newer supported models, app pairing can also establish the phone-call connection automatically.

Why Does My iPhone Show More Than One Phonak Device?

Multiple Phonak Bluetooth entries can be normal because some hearing aids use separate connections for phone calls and app controls. Earlier generations may show three entries, while newer generations can use a different arrangement. Do not delete these connections unless you need to troubleshoot or re-pair your devices.

Conclusion

Connecting Phonak hearing aids to an iPhone can make phone conversations easier by delivering calls directly through compatible hearing aids. The most useful steps are to establish the correct Bluetooth connection, check call audio routing, and adjust volume for comfortable listening.

If a connection fails, identify your Phonak model before resetting it. Earlier models and newer Infinio Ultra hearing aids can use different Bluetooth arrangements.

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders reports that approximately 15% of American adults report some trouble hearing. Reliable phone connectivity is one practical tool that can help hearing aid users manage everyday conversations.

Sources

1. Phonak: How to Pair Hearing Aids With iPhone: Official Bluetooth pairing sequence, rechargeable and battery-door methods, pairing duration, and device recognition.
2. Phonak: Connecting to Your Smartphone: Audio streaming connections, app pairing, and multiple hearing aid setup.
3. Apple Support: Route and Automatically Answer Calls: iPhone call audio routing settings.
4. Phonak: Hearing Aid Call Button Troubleshooting: Answering calls, button controls, and Bluetooth call settings.
5. Phonak: Adjusting Volume During Phone Calls: Differences between Infinio, Lumity, and Paradise hearing aids.
6. Phonak: myPhonak Pairing on iPhone: App setup, Bluetooth permissions, and phone-call pairing differences.
7. Phonak: Three Hearing Aids in the Bluetooth List: Bluetooth Classic and Bluetooth Low Energy connection types.
8. Phonak: Managing Infinio Ultra Pairing Entries: Bluetooth entry behavior after an Infinio Ultra update.
9. Phonak: Bluetooth and App Troubleshooting: Connection resets and re-pairing for earlier hearing aid generations.
10. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: Hearing Statistics: Reported hearing difficulty among US adults.

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