Is Apple Live Translation compatible with Bluetooth hearing aids?

<< You may be able to just choose whether audio will go to the AirPods or the Hearing-Aids in the Bluetooth Settings >>

No, you can't do that.

MFI hearing Aids are a special case, not a regular bluetooth device. They don't show up on the Bluetooth settings.

there is an "Audio Routing" setting on

accessibility > Hearing devices > ...

but it only has settings for Call Audio {Always hearing devices, Never ..., Auto}

and Media Audio {Always hearing devices, Never ..., Auto}

There is one more promising feature. You can invoke "Live Listen" (which sends iPhone microphone to the designated hearing devices) with a triple click of the side button, then selecting 'Live Listen", but I could not find a way to connect that through translate.

Apple seems to have focused translate feature on the iPods microphones, at the expense of generality that Could have included hearing aids.

Thank you. You may be able to just choose whether audio will go to the AirPods or the Hearing-Aids in the Bluetooth Settings. Ie: audio will go where it is set / directed / to go by the settings you have in place.

While it is possible to switch hearing-aids automatically between devices, I don't know of any other way to switch between accessories (like AirPods and Hearing-Aids) except by directing the audio manually in the Bluetooth settings, if the device lists them there.

Hi jeff-4,

Re: "Live translation with hearing aids : Is there a way to use Apple Live Translation, but direct the output to hearing aids rather than AirPods? I wear bluetooth-enabled hearing aids, and it is awkward for me to remove them and put AirPods in my ears. "

Am no expert in this area, yet your request to the community deserves some response.

We do not know whether your hearing-aids are Made for iPhone (Mfi) compatible, and can use Apple's hearing accessibility software, or whether they must rely on bluetooth for connection and an app or firmware from the manufacturer for control. Sorry I don't know whether or not that makes a difference when it comes to using Live Translation.

You don't need AirPods to use Live Translation in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone apps.

if the language you want is available for download, seems you would need to update your iOS version to the newest version iOS 26.0.1, and also have Apple Intelligence turned on.

However, the way I understand it, seems AirPods with the newest firmware update are needed if you want to use Live Translation with a person nearby.

There is much information available in Apple Support's online article (link below):

Translate messages, calls, and conversations on iPhone - Apple Support

Eg: says:

"Live Translation is integrated into the Messages, FaceTime, and Phone apps".

and

"Live Translation uses Apple-built models that run entirely on device,"

"Note: Live Translation in Phone is available for one-on-one calls in English (UK, U.S.),

French (France), German, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (Spain)."

"Note: Apple Intelligence is not available on all iPhone models or in all languages or regions.**

To access the most recent available features, make sure you’re using

the latest version of iOS and have Apple Intelligence turned on."

"**Apple Intelligence is available in beta with support for the following languages: Chinese (Simplified), English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish. Some features may not be available in all languages or regions. "

All the best :-)

Thank you kindly for taking the time to reply, jeff-4 and for your added info. :-)

Thank you too, to Grant Bennett-Alder for joining the discussion and providing the excellent feedback suggestion. Although it will not help immediately, and they will likely not reply, it's possible to make a feature request via the feedback form. A link to this discussion thread can be included if desired.

<< Apple, hope you're listening (no pun intended). >>

whenever you find yourself writing that, use this page to tell them directly:

Product Feedback - Apple

Thank you kindly,Grant Bennet-Alder!

Your info. and expertise are invaluable.

I have much to learn.