I just got the M90’s and have connected via bluetooth to my Samsung smart TV using the bluetooth capability of the TV. The sound comes through the HA in short bursts and then silence for several seconds. I have a sound bar on the TV that is connected with the optical output. I tried disconnecting the sound bar and the problem is the same.
I have the bluetooth connector accessory for the HA’s and when that is connected the bluetooth to the aids is fine but all functionality of the TV remotes doesn’t work and the only volume control is on the TV bluetooth connector across the room. (Remember the days before TV remote’s?)
Additionally, there is only one optical output from the TV and you either connect the sound bar or the TV connector device. The sound bar can connect to the TV connector device via an audio output on the sound bar but this is what removes all volume functionality from the TV remotes.
This is my second pair of M90’s since the first pair’s bluetooth was defective out of the box.
Ideally there is a solution to connecting to the TV bluetooth connection. I will contact Phonak support when they are open but in the meantime has anyone had this problem?
Thanks. Was hoping that there could be a level on the aids for me and the TV volume could be for other listeners. Seems like the whole point would to be aid my hearing loss without affecting other listeners?
I bought an optical splitter that sends the TV audio to my sound system and my phonak BT transmitter simultaneously, no lag. The result has been great. I hear deep bass from my subwoofer and the higher frequencies through the HAs. The TV volume is controlled via the sound system. Sounds convoluted, but I’ve been using this setup for 12 months without any changes. I have been able to hear news and sports commentators clearly for the first time in many years and still experience the “roar of the crowd” in the background.
Good to know. I’m wondering if I could use an HDMI to Optical cable adapter ($19 on Amazon) to the TV converter and leave my existing optical cable connection to the sound bar.
It’s a bit of a hassle when you get the setup working partially but not fully. Here are a few things that could help:
Interference from Multiple Audio Devices: The issue might be arising because your TV is trying to handle both the soundbar and Bluetooth audio at the same time. This could lead to signal interruptions or poor audio performance. You’ve already tried disconnecting the soundbar, but it’s worth experimenting with the order in which you connect devices. Sometimes, turning off the soundbar and reconnecting the Bluetooth accessories after the TV is fully set up can help stabilize the connection.
Bluetooth Profile Conflicts: It seems like your Phonak M90’s might be having trouble staying connected through the TV’s Bluetooth since the TV might not be handling Bluetooth audio output correctly alongside the soundbar. Try to check if your TV has a dedicated “audio output” setting to specify that the audio should be sent to Bluetooth devices and not interfere with other connected devices like the soundbar. You may also want to check if your TV supports A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile), which is ideal for higher-quality Bluetooth audio output.
Using the TV Connector: Since you mentioned using the Bluetooth connector accessory for your hearing aids, it’s great that it works, but losing remote functionality is frustrating. This can sometimes happen because the TV is not correctly routing the audio and the remote signals. One possible workaround is to look for an alternative audio routing setup where you can still use your soundbar and Bluetooth with your hearing aids simultaneously, possibly using an audio splitter if your soundbar supports multiple inputs.
Phonak Support: Since you’ve already got support lined up with Phonak, they may have a firmware update or a more specific troubleshooting guide for getting the M90’s to work seamlessly with your TV’s Bluetooth. Sometimes, there are specific settings on the hearing aids or Bluetooth connector that might need to be adjusted for optimal compatibility with smart TVs.
In the meantime, if you don’t mind using the Bluetooth connector but want to restore full remote control functionality, you might also want to try using a universal remote that could control both your TV and soundbar, bypassing the issue with volume control when the TV connector is in use.