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Hearing Aid Users Report Apple Update Interferes with Sound Quality on iPhone12

12/16/2020 | Patient Resources, Technology

smartphone software update

Although I’ve lived in Arizona for years, I grew up in Wisconsin.

Since I rely heavily on my smartphone to keep in touch with loved ones in my hometown, I understand how frustrating it can be when technology fails to meet expectations.

Unfortunately, many hearing aid users are experiencing that kind of frustration with the new iPhone 12.

Hearing aid users report sound quality issues and connectivity problems when they pair their hearing aids with the iPhone 12.

I want to share what my colleagues and I know about these problems and what you can do to resolve them.

What Hearing Aid Users Are Saying About the iPhone 12

Most complaints relate to poor sound quality and Bluetooth connectivity.

Many hearing aid users have said they hear loud static in one or both ears after pairing their hearing aids to the iPhone 12.

Users also report one or both hearing devices will disconnect and reconnect over and over again.

Hundreds of users have turned to threads on the Apple discussion forum to express their exasperation. The user quotes that follow reflect the issues that most users are reporting.

“I got my iPhone 12pro over a week ago. The first day I had them, the static was deafening. I have not heard or seen anything regarding a fix. This is a severe problem.”

“Terrible! I can’t even use. Apple…..please fix! Static, squealing, garbled, and goes off and on. Just a very bad situation.”

Are Hearing Aids Causing the Problem?

As an audiologist, troubleshooting hearing aid problems is a big part of my job.

The iPhone 12 sound quality problems are happening with Oticon, Widex, Resound, and other manufacturers’ Made for iPhone hearing aids. In my experience, when we see a problem happening across several brands, hearing aids typically aren’t the source of the problem.

Could iOS 14 Be Responsible?

Since Apple released iOS 14, an update to the operating software for Apple’s mobile devices, close to the time the tech company released the iPhone 12, some users have asked if iOS 14 could be the source of the problem.

Given Apple’s history, it’s a good question to ask. When the tech giant released iOS 13 in 2019, that software update resulted in Bluetooth connectivity problems for hearing aid users.

Yet, using iOS 14 with older iPhone models has not caused widespread problems among hearing aid users.

Apple Has Responded to Hearing Aid User Complaints

After Apple became aware of the issue, the tech company said it would address iPhone 12 hearing aid problems in a future iOS 14 update. Recently, Apple revised its support page and recommended updating your iPhone 12 to iOS 14.2.1 or later.

When Hearing Aid Problems Persist

If you’re having difficulty resolving your hearing aid problems, contact us.

An experienced, professional audiologist such as my colleague Dr. Hamila or myself would be happy to offer you the individualized hearing care you deserve.

Our hearing care team at Scottsdale Ear, Nose & Throat is available to help you troubleshoot hearing aid problems and provide hearing aid services such as cleaning and repair.

Do you know somebody that needs to see this? Why not share it?

Dr. Natacia N. Howard

Natacia is from a small village in northern Wisconsin. She obtained her Doctorate of Audiology (Au.D.) from A.T. Still University – Arizona School of Health Sciences in 2013. She joined Scottsdale Ear, Nose and Throat in 2016 and specializes in vestibular diagnostic and hearing aid fittings. In her spare time, she likes to spend time with her husband, family and friends, cuddle her kitties and play softball.

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    You don’t realise you’re walking with a rock in your shoe until you’re able to hear again – Regina’s Story

    Regina has suffered from hearing problems since she was an infant, recognized as regular chronic ear infections. And, as with unfortunate events, she has experienced a multitude of audiology catastrophes.

    It was many years before Regina crossed paths with Scottsdale Ear, Nose & Throat; where her lifetime of hearing problems was addressed effectively and treated with the delicate care that she desperately required.

    Regina’s journey began when she was taken to a regular paediatrician by her mother from a young age. Her ears were, what we describe as an audiologists recipe for disaster, ‘flushed out’.

    This dangerous procedure caused a nasty infection, which spread to her mastoid bone and, at the age of 15, she underwent a tympanoplasty mastoidectomy to stop the infection spreading. This only forbade her future struggles with hearing loss. 

    As with poor diagnosis, Regina was faced with another canaloplasty which didn’t work. Soon after, she received a BAHA, which is a cochlear implant in her skull that acts as a sound processor that detects sound and transforms it into vibrations. 

    However, suffering from a history of poor hearing care, she was unaware of the former issues her ear presented.

    By now, this would be described as any audiologists nightmare. But, we’re proud to have helped Regina on her road to optimum hearing and reconnect her to her loved ones.

    When she arrived at Scottsdale Ear, Nose & Throat it was evident that she was losing hearing on her right side. At this point, she was fitted with a ReSound hearing device, which provided the catalyst to a new and improved hearing.

    The first thing Regina noticed was the indefinite sound she had been making whilst emptying the dishwasher, completely unaware of the noise she was making!

    “I mean, the detail that I can hear now it’s like, Whoa, I didn’t realize I was making that much noise. I need to be quieter!”

    Treated with professional care, Regina received a comprehensive hearing assessment with Dr. Debra Hamila.

    “I just love, love, love Dr. Hamila, she is such a professional and loving person. I was so impressed with the office and what she did with the ReSound, I just love her.”

    Like many others, it takes years for people to realize they have a hearing problem. Regina described this moment as life-changing.

    “You don’t realise you’re walking with a rock in your shoe until you’re able to hear again. Especially now I’m a full-time Grammy Nanny, I can hear so much more and it has enriched my life incredibly.”

    What advice would you give to someone who is deliberating on taking the first step towards better hearing?

    “My advice to them would be to have a hearing test. Especially as we age our hearing goes down. It’s really unfortunate that people carry their pride and are not willing to learn to walk with the rock in their shoe. You don’t realise you’re waking with a rock in your shoe until you’re able to hear again.”

    Regina is one of many patients who has been impacted by our audiological services and we are proud to have been able to provide the tool towards better hearing and a lifetime of many more memories.