Connecting Phonak hearing aids to a new iPhone is straightforward once you know which Bluetooth connection to use. You can set up wireless phone calls, stream music, and control compatible hearing aids through the myPhonak app. The exact process depends on your hearing aid model, especially whether you use Infinio Ultra or an earlier generation.
Quick Answer
To connect Phonak hearing aids to a new iPhone, turn on Bluetooth, restart your hearing aids to activate pairing mode, and select the Phonak device in Settings > Bluetooth. Install myPhonak separately for app controls. With Infinio Ultra or newer hearing aids, pairing through myPhonak also enables calls and audio streaming automatically.
At a Glance
| Difficulty | Basic iPhone setup |
| Tools Needed | iPhone, compatible Phonak hearing aids, and their charger or working batteries |
Get Your iPhone Ready to Connect to myPhonak
Before pairing, make sure your iPhone and hearing aids are ready. This avoids the most common problems, including missing devices, interrupted connections, and app pairing failures.
Follow this preparation checklist:
- Check your iPhone software. Open Settings > General > Software Update and install an available compatible update if needed.
- Check hearing aid power. Charge rechargeable models or confirm that replaceable batteries are working.
- Keep devices nearby. Place your hearing aids close to the iPhone during setup.
- Install myPhonak. Download the app if you want remote controls, battery information, or other supported features.
- Check compatibility. Confirm that your hearing aid model supports the app.
The myPhonak app requires an iPhone running iOS 16 or newer and compatible Bluetooth-enabled Phonak hearing aids. Phonak supports several product families, including compatible EON, Infinio, Lumity, Paradise, and Marvel models.
See Phonak’s official compatibility information for supported models and available features.
You can find the app through the official myPhonak App Store listing.
If your hearing aids were connected to an older iPhone, temporarily turn off Bluetooth on that phone during the new setup. This helps prevent an existing connection from interfering with pairing.
Activating Bluetooth on Your iPhone
Bluetooth must be enabled before the iPhone can discover your Phonak hearing aids. Use the iPhone’s Settings app to prepare the connection.
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Tap Bluetooth.
- Turn the Bluetooth switch on.
- Keep this screen open while preparing your hearing aids for pairing.
When you open myPhonak for the first time, your iPhone may ask whether the app can use Bluetooth. Tap Allow or OK, depending on the prompt.
If you previously denied permission, open Settings > Privacy & Security > Bluetooth and enable access for myPhonak. Apple explains this option in its Bluetooth privacy settings guide.
Remember that iPhone Bluetooth pairing and myPhonak app pairing may be separate connections. Connecting one does not always complete the other.
Restarting Your Phonak Hearing Aids for Pairing
Restarting your hearing aids activates Bluetooth pairing mode. Phonak hearing aids generally remain discoverable for three minutes after a restart, so begin searching on your iPhone soon afterward.
For Rechargeable Phonak Hearing Aids
- Place both hearing aids in their charger for at least 10 seconds.
- Make sure the charger has power or sufficient battery charge.
- Remove the hearing aids from the charger.
- Wait for the hearing aids to turn on and blink green.
- Start pairing from the iPhone or myPhonak app.
The charger restart method requires the hearing aids’ Auto-on feature to be enabled. This feature is enabled by default on supported devices.
Some rechargeable models can also be restarted using their buttons. Press the lower portion of the button until the hearing aid indicates it is turning off with a red light. Then press again until it turns on and blinks green.
For Hearing Aids With Replaceable Batteries
- Open the hearing aid battery doors.
- Leave them open for five seconds.
- Close the battery doors securely.
- Wait for the hearing aids to restart.
- Begin Bluetooth pairing while they are discoverable.
If you miss the pairing window, restart the hearing aids again. You do not need to change their fitted hearing settings to make them discoverable.
These steps follow Phonak’s official iPhone Bluetooth pairing instructions.
Pairing Your Phonak Hearing Aids With Your iPhone
There are two main connections to understand: one for phone calls and audio streaming, and another for communicating with the myPhonak app. Whether you need both procedures depends on your hearing aid generation.
Essential Preparation Steps
Before choosing a connection method, identify what you want to use and which hearing aid generation you own.
| Hearing Aid or Goal | Connection Method |
|---|---|
| Infinio Ultra or newer | Pair through myPhonak to enable app controls, calls, and streaming together. |
| Earlier compatible generations | Pair for calls and streaming through iPhone Bluetooth, and pair with myPhonak separately. |
| Calls and music without app controls | Use the standard iPhone Bluetooth pairing procedure if your model supports direct streaming. |
If you do not know your hearing aid generation, check its model information or ask your hearing care professional.
Pairing Process Overview
For supported earlier-generation Phonak hearing aids, you can establish the phone call and audio streaming connection directly through iPhone settings.
- Open Settings > Bluetooth on the iPhone.
- Restart your Phonak hearing aids to enter pairing mode.
- Wait for a name such as R-Phonak hearing aid or L-Phonak hearing aid to appear.
- Tap the hearing aid name.
- Accept any Bluetooth pairing request shown on the iPhone.
- Listen for the confirmation beep from your hearing aid.
- Play audio or make a test call to confirm the connection works.
Your hearing care professional may have customized the Bluetooth device name, so it might not match these examples exactly.
With older Phonak models, it is normal for only one hearing aid to appear as the streaming connection. That hearing aid manages the Bluetooth audio connection, while a properly configured pair delivers sound to both ears.
What If the Hearing Aids Do Not Appear?
If your hearing aids are missing from the Bluetooth list, the pairing window may have expired. They may also be turned off, have insufficient battery power, or be connected to another nearby device.
Try these checks in order:
- Confirm Bluetooth is enabled on the iPhone.
- Make sure the hearing aids have enough power.
- Restart both hearing aids to renew pairing mode.
- Keep the iPhone close to the hearing aids.
- Temporarily disable Bluetooth on an older phone that previously used them.
- Wait for the Phonak device name to appear again.
If you are using myPhonak and only one hearing aid appears, do not finish setup immediately. Restart both devices and allow the app to find the complete pair.
Next Steps: Setting Up myPhonak, Streaming, and Phone Calls
Once Bluetooth is working, you can connect compatible hearing aids to myPhonak. The app gives you access to hearing aid controls and supported personalization features.
How to Pair Hearing Aids With myPhonak
- Open the myPhonak app.
- Complete or skip the introductory tour and follow the initial setup prompts.
- On the Home screen, tap Pair hearing aids.
- Select or follow the instructions for your rechargeable or replaceable-battery model.
- Restart your hearing aids to activate pairing mode.
- Tap Continue when instructed.
- Wait for the app to detect your hearing aids. If you wear two, confirm that both appear.
- Tap the green Pair button.
- Accept the Bluetooth pairing request for each hearing aid.
- Complete the remaining setup prompts.
If neither hearing aid appears, use the app’s I don’t see my devices option for additional help.
Phonak provides the full procedure in its myPhonak pairing guide for iPhone.
How to Enable Calls and Streaming
With Infinio Ultra or newer hearing aids, successfully pairing through myPhonak automatically enables phone calls and audio streaming.
For earlier generations, the app may display See instructions after pairing. Older app versions may call this option Optional settings.
Open that option and follow the additional Bluetooth pairing instructions for calls and music.
After setup, test the connection by playing music on your iPhone and making a phone call.
If a call plays through the iPhone instead of the hearing aids, tap Audio on the call screen and select your Phonak hearing aids.
You can also answer an incoming call using the hearing aid’s configured multifunction button to route the call through the hearing aids. Phonak explains these options in its iPhone call audio troubleshooting guide.
Troubleshooting Common Phonak Connection Issues
Most Phonak connection problems can be resolved without changing your hearing aid programming. Start with simple Bluetooth checks before removing saved connections.
Common Troubleshooting Tips
The best fix depends on whether the problem affects audio streaming, the myPhonak app, or both.
| Problem | Recommended Fix |
|---|---|
| Hearing aids do not appear | Restart them and search again during pairing mode. |
| myPhonak cannot connect | Close and reopen the app, then restart the hearing aids if needed. |
| Calls work but app controls do not | Check the separate myPhonak connection and app Bluetooth permission. |
| App works but calls do not | Complete additional streaming pairing if required by your model. |
| Only one hearing aid connects to the app | Check both battery levels and repeat app pairing with both devices. |
| Connection drops repeatedly | Reduce distance, avoid interference, and restart the devices. |
Bluetooth Connection Reset Steps
If basic troubleshooting fails, removing the old Bluetooth connections can help. Phonak recommends this fuller reset when the myPhonak app cannot reconnect after software updates or other connection changes.
Warning: Forgetting a Phonak Bluetooth connection stops calls, streaming, or app communication through that connection until you pair again. Only remove the saved entries when you are ready to repeat setup.
- Open Settings > Bluetooth on your iPhone.
- Find every entry associated with your Phonak hearing aids.
- Tap the information symbol beside an entry.
- Select Forget This Device.
- Repeat for the remaining Phonak entries.
- Open the myPhonak app.
- Go to Devices and open your hearing aid information.
- Select Forget my devices and confirm.
- Restart the iPhone and hearing aids.
- Open myPhonak and follow its pairing instructions again.
Depending on your model, you may see two or three Phonak entries in the iPhone Bluetooth list.
Earlier models commonly use separate Bluetooth Low Energy connections, such as LE_R-Phonak and LE_L-Phonak, for app communication, plus one connection for streaming.
Infinio Ultra and newer models generally use a different arrangement with one entry per hearing aid after a fresh app setup.
On older models, an LE connection may show Not Connected while myPhonak is closed. This can be normal because the app reconnects when opened.
For details about the different names, see Phonak’s Bluetooth device identification guide.
If the full reset does not work, remove and reinstall myPhonak from the App Store, then complete onboarding again.
Follow the complete procedure in Phonak’s official app connection repair instructions.
Note: If your hearing aids still fail to connect after a complete reset, contact your hearing care professional. They can check the model’s compatibility, hearing aid firmware, and whether both devices are configured correctly.
Maximizing Bluetooth Connectivity and Performance
A stable Phonak Bluetooth connection depends on distance, battery power, and interference. Keeping the iPhone nearby is the simplest way to reduce unexpected audio interruptions.
Bluetooth connections commonly work within approximately 30–33 feet (9–10 meters) under favorable conditions. Actual performance varies with walls, body position, nearby electronics, and the surrounding environment.
For more reliable performance:
- Keep the iPhone close: Avoid leaving it in another room while streaming.
- Limit interference: Move away from strong wireless interference if audio cuts out.
- Monitor battery levels: Low hearing aid power can interfere with connectivity.
- Keep software current: Maintain compatible iPhone software and myPhonak updates.
- Check audio routing: Confirm that your hearing aids are selected when calls or music play through another device.
If the hearing aids remain connected in Bluetooth settings but the app is temporarily disconnected, open myPhonak and allow it to reconnect.
Exploring Features of the myPhonak App
The myPhonak app offers more than Bluetooth pairing. With supported hearing aids, it provides personal controls, device information, and access to selected hearing care services.
- Volume adjustments: Change hearing aid volume without reaching for the device buttons.
- Sound personalization: Adjust supported sound settings and create custom listening programs.
- Battery monitoring: Check available battery charge information on compatible hearing aids.
- Remote Support: Connect with your hearing care professional for supported remote services where available.
- Streaming settings: Manage supported Bluetooth calling and audio options.
- Health and activity information: View supported hearing aid usage or health-related data on compatible models.
Not every Phonak hearing aid supports every feature. Your available controls depend on the hearing aid model, app compatibility, and the services supported in your region.
The app itself is not required simply to listen to music or take calls on many compatible Phonak models. Standard Bluetooth audio pairing can provide those functions without the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Connect Phonak Hearing Aids to My Phone?
Turn on Bluetooth, restart your hearing aids to activate pairing mode, and select the Phonak device from the phone’s Bluetooth list. Confirm any pairing requests. If you want app controls, install myPhonak and pair your compatible hearing aids through its setup process.
How Do I Connect Hearing Aids to an iPhone?
Compatible Phonak hearing aids generally connect through Settings > Bluetooth on your iPhone. Other hearing aid brands may use different pairing methods, including Apple’s Hearing Devices accessibility settings. Follow the instructions for your specific hearing aid model rather than assuming every brand uses the same procedure.
Where Can I Find Instructions for Using Phonak Hearing Aids?
Phonak provides model-specific user guides, Bluetooth setup instructions, and troubleshooting articles through its official support resources. You can also use the guidance in myPhonak for compatible devices. If your model has different controls or charging behavior, use its own user guide or contact your hearing care professional.
What Is the myPhonak App?
myPhonak is Phonak’s mobile application for controlling compatible hearing aids. It offers supported features such as volume adjustments, custom programs, battery information, and Remote Support. Available functions vary by hearing aid model and region, so some users will see more options than others.
Why Does Only One Phonak Hearing Aid Appear in iPhone Bluetooth?
On many earlier Phonak models, only one hearing aid appears for phone calls and music streaming. That single Bluetooth connection can deliver audio to both hearing aids. However, both hearing aids should normally appear during myPhonak app pairing if you wear a pair.
Why Does My iPhone Show LE-Phonak as Not Connected?
On earlier compatible Phonak models, LE-Phonak entries are used for communication with the myPhonak app. They may display Not Connected when the app is closed. Open myPhonak to check whether they reconnect before deleting or resetting the Bluetooth pairings.
Conclusion
Connecting Phonak hearing aids to a new iPhone starts with Bluetooth, a hearing aid restart, and the correct pairing method for your model. Once connected, test phone calls and music before setting up additional myPhonak controls.
If the connection fails, begin with a simple restart and move to a complete Bluetooth reset only when necessary. For ongoing problems, your hearing care professional can help check hearing aid compatibility and firmware.
Sources
- Phonak — myPhonak Hearing Aid App: Supported hearing aid models, iPhone compatibility, and available app features.
- Apple App Store — myPhonak: Official app listing and iOS compatibility requirement.
- Apple Support — Bluetooth Privacy Settings: Managing Bluetooth access permissions for iPhone applications.
- Phonak — Connecting Hearing Aids to iPhone: Bluetooth pairing steps, restarting hearing aids, pairing indicators, and streaming setup.
- Phonak — Pairing Rechargeable Hearing Aids With myPhonak: App setup, pairing requests, and differences between newer and older hearing aid generations.
- Phonak — Understanding Bluetooth Hearing Aid Entries: Streaming connections, left and right device entries, and Bluetooth Low Energy connections.
- Phonak — Repairing myPhonak Connection Issues: Troubleshooting, forgetting Bluetooth devices, resetting app connections, and reinstalling the app.
- Phonak — Troubleshooting iPhone Call Audio: Selecting the hearing aids as the call audio destination and resolving call routing problems.
