I would like to know why my new MAC studio (Dec 22) can't find my hearing aids via bluetooth.
They connect OK with my iPhone (although they don't show up in the devices list when I check Bluetooth), so why can I not stream audio directly from the studio to my hearing aids ?
(and why indeed are the devices (Oticon hearing aids) not showing up in the devices list on the phone, even when I know they are connected).
Mac Studio, macOS 12.6
Hi masonmjs54
Welcome to the Apple (user-to-user) Community.
Re: I would like to know why my new MAC studio (Dec 22) can't find my hearing aids via bluetooth.
"Before you connect a Bluetooth device with your Mac for the first time, you need to pair them. When a Bluetooth device is paired with your Mac, you can connect or disconnect it using the Bluetooth 
menu".
(For Mac OS Ventura (or choose your correct installed MacOS at top of article for accurate info:)
Apple support's article:
How to: Connect wireless accessories – Apple Support
More info:
macOS accessibility features for hearing – Apple Support
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Re: (Oticon hearing aids) not showing up in the devices list on the phone,
At times, there may be a firmware update needed for the hearing aids.
(ie: from your hearing professional, or from Oticon)
Else:
Check that hearing aids are set-up as Apple suggests:
Scroll to: "Pair and connect" in Apple Support's article (link below):
Use Made for iPhone hearing devices – Apple Support
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More info:
Hearing accessibility features in iOS - Apple Support
If you want to check:
These are the Oticon Hearing Aids that are "Compatible with iPhone":
Oticon
FX00*
Opn
Opn S
Opn Play
More*
Play PX*
Ruby
Zircon*
Optim
Siya
Xceed
Xceed Play
Oticon Medical BAHS
Ponto 4
Ponto 5
Sentio 1
from: Made for iPhone compatible hearing devices – Apple Support
All the best :-)
Thank you for your thoughtful reply Michael, and the added info.
Re: Devices list just shows the 'searching' symbol.
Seems the iPhone is not "pairing" as it likely would with compatible HA's.
Glad to know you you are able to use them ok on iPhone with the use of the Oticon ON app.
For Oticon Engage HA use with Mac,
Seems like the HA's are not able to pair with the Mac either, so, unless Oticon has an app for Mac too it seems unlikely the HA's can be used with Mac
.
Am no expert, yet it seems you may need to pair HA's with a streamer device that you can pair with the Mac. You might want to ask your hearing care provider about the best streamer option for you.
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I have heard that some use AirPods as a hearing device with their Macs, as they pair oK.
I don't know how medically sound thiat option would be.
Eg: AirPods: Switch between Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode – Apple Support
Thank you Mike,
Grateful for your HA info., and for letting us know more about the situation.
Sorry nothing above has really helped improve the situation.
If you wish, you could contact Apple for accessibility support.
(Am not sure whether or not they can assist, as the HA's don't appear to be compatible)
How to contact Apple for accessibility support - Apple Support
Or
Apple's Accessibility Support Website
Accessibility Support - Official Apple Support
Cheers :-)
Hi brbo,
Thanks for your reply, I am using a bluetooth keyboard and Magic Mouse, so I am aware of the bluetooth settings menu. The hearing aids don't appear on the list of bluetooth devices on either the Studio OR the iPhone.
Please note however, I am using the Oticon ON app on my iPhone (13 Pro Max), and with this I can receive audio notifications, audio from phone calls and even dialling tones when I call somebody. I can also control the volume on my hearing aids and switch one or both HAs off if I choose.
So somehow the HAs are communicating with the phone, even though the Devices list just shows the 'searching' symbol.
My HAs are Oticon Engage model which are not on your list of compatible devices, but note the above regarding the phone.
Regards
Michael
Hi Brbo,
Hearing aids have a small microphone and a small speaker, so sounds outside of the ear are picked up by the microphone and amplified in the HA (behind the ear in my case) then output via the speaker into a small plastic tube which goes in the ear.
So the AirPods would not work as a hearing aid since they are effectively blocking external sounds coming into the ear. It's a lovely thought as hearing aids frequency range is typically limited to 8Khz maximum, so I would love to regain that 5-6Khz that is missing above that but it is just not possible with HA technology today.
Apparently the speaker is only 1.5mm in diameter ....
Cheers
Mike
Thanks for the links
Cheers
You're welcome! Thank you, Mike!
All the best!
Mac Studio Hearing Aid compatibility
