How to pair hearing aids with MacBook Air 2020 without 'Hearing Devices' option?

Hi jangar79,

welcome to the Apple (user-to-user) Community.

Re: "macbook air 2020 doesn't have "Hearing Devices" as an option under accessibility to pair hearing aids.

Is there some kind of workaround?

I tried the 3 options under "Hearing", but none of them work. I am running Sequoia 15.3.1"

Wondering if your hearing-aids are "Made for iPhone" (Mfi) compatible, or not:

Apple provides a long list of Manufacturers and their Mfi hearing-aid models:

Those listed with an asterisk * beside them are compatible with some of the recent Mac models:

See: List of Made for iPhone hearing devices - Apple Support

NB: If you scroll down the list to: "System requirements for MFi hearing devices"

article says:

MFi hearing devices marked with an asterisk (*) in the list above use bidirectional streaming, which allows you to talk hands-free. MFi hearing devices without an asterisk use unidirectional streaming.

The Macs listed as compatible are all 2021 or later models ... (seems it is all to do with the newer "chips" that make the necessary "bidirectional streaming" possible.)

Apple support provides guidance for pairing and using Mfi hearing-aids:

Use Made for iPhone hearing devices - Apple Support

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If your hearing aids are not Mfi compatible models, you could try connecting via Bluetooth:

Connect a Bluetooth device with your Mac - Apple Support

Eg: says:

"Connect a Bluetooth device

1. Make sure the device is turned on and discoverable (see the device’s documentation for details).
2. On your Mac, choose Apple menu  > System Settings, then click Bluetooth  in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)
3. Hold the pointer over the device in the list, then click Connect.
4. If asked, click Accept (or enter a series of numbers, then press Enter).

You can also connect a Bluetooth device to your Mac by clicking  in Control Centre and selecting the device."

Some manufacturers may provide an app and / or firmware for their hearing aids, although usually for iPhone.

You can try looking on their website for "support" or "help" section to check their "compatibility" requirements..

All the best :-)