Modified 4/2/2021
Pending requested changes or requests; this is the final version.
Because I could not find a detailed description of pairing and connecting an iPhone AND iPad with a Phonak Audéo P-RT, I wrote up a draft description. I’ve used this process to pair my Phonaks to both iPhone and iPad successfully.
The description below is based specifically on my experience and testing with MY iPhone, iPad, and Phonak Audéo P-RT HAs. Over the last 10 days with these HAs, I’ve noted some occasional inconsistencies.
Given some of the inconsistencies that I’ve encountered… If my descriptions below don’t seem to work, the most important thing to remember is reset the “R-Phonak hearing aid” Bluetooth connections and try again.
Regards,
Dan.
SUMMARY AND PURPOSE
This document describes connecting two Apple IOS devices to a Phonak Audéo P-RT hearing aid and streaming media from both (but not at the same time). Media refers to YouTube, audio, iTunes songs, etc.
This document’s scope is limited to connecting a Phonak Audéo P-RT to two IOS devices - typically an iPhone and an iPad. Out of scope are non-IOS devices and other Phonak hearing aids.
PREPARATION
To start the connection process for the iPhone plus iPad, ensure that the following steps are complete.
iPhone
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Ensure that the iPhone has been paired with the HA’s and works correctly. For example, you can play a YouTube video and hear the audio in your HA’s.
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Turn off the iPhone Bluetooth: Settings —> Bluetooth —> Bluetooth —> Set to Off.
IPad
- Open the Bluetooth menu on iPad: Settings —> Bluetooth.
- Look for “R-Phonak hearing aid”. If it exists:
- Click the info symbol (circle with “i”) to the right of its connection status (“Connected”/ “Not Connected”). A new page will appear.
- Click “Forget This Device”. A pop-up will appear.
- Click “Forget Device”.
- You will be returned to the main Bluetooth menu, and the “R-Phonak hearing aid” will no longer display.
Disable “Bluetooth” by clicking the green status control, which causes it to go gray. All the devices in “MY DEVICES” will disappear.
PAIRING AND CONNECTING DEVICES
Hearing Aid
- Set the HA’s to Bluetooth pairing mode by clicking and holding the bottom arrow on the RIGHT HA until the status light changes (to yellow or red). This should occur within three seconds.
- Now, wait until the status light changes to flashing green.
iPad
- In Settings —> Bluetooth, activate Bluetooth by clicking the Bluetooth status control. The list of Bluetooth devices appears.
- Wait for the “R-Phonak hearing aid” device to appear with “Not Connected” status.
- Click on the “R-Phonak hearing aid” and wait for the status to change to “Connected”.
- Check that iPad sound is coming through your HA’s. I.e., click a sound source like Music or YouTube.
iPhone
- Go to Settings —> Bluetooth, activate Bluetooth by clicking the Bluetooth status control.
- Check that iPhone sound is coming through your HA’s. I.e., click a sound source like Music or YouTube.
Result
Your Phonak Audéo P-RT should be paired and connected to both your iPhone and iPad.
SWITCHING WITH NO ACTIVE IPHONE CALL
Important Note
As advertised, the iPhone and iPad can maintain two active connections simultaneously using the “R-Phonak hearing aid” Bluetooth connections. However, these connections are not entirely stable and consistent. I.e., this looks like a V1.0 implementation. I suspect that this will improve in future versions of the software.
If you use a connection on one device, the other device’s connection may disconnect. Or, both connections may maintain a “Connected” status, but the activation of a device’s sound application (e.g., YouTube or Apple Music) on one device may cause the other device’s application to stop playing.
Condition
- Media Playing On One Device Through HA, and
- R-Phonak hearing aid status is “Connected” On Both Devices
The easiest way to switch is to:
- Stop playing an app on one device
- Start an app on the other device
E.g., stop YouTube paying on one device before starting Apple music on the other device. That is stable and works well.
Condition
- Media Playing On One Device Through HA, and
- R-Phonak hearing aid “Not Connected” on the other device
The most stable approach:
- Stop playing an app on one device
- On the other device, Go to Settings —> Bluetooth
- Click “R-Phonak hearing aid” to change the status from “Not Connected” to “Connected”
- Start an app on the other device
SWITCHING WITH ACTIVE IPHONE CALL
When a phone call comes into the iPhone, and the iPhone and iPad are connected to the Phonak HAs, any streaming media is disabled (stopped). However, the “R-Phonak hearing aid” connection statuses react differently:
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iPhone - "R-Phonak hearing aid” connection status does NOT change, even if it is “Connected”. When the phone call is terminated, the connection status remains the same (no change).
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iPad - "R-Phonak hearing aid” connection status changes to “Not Connected”. When the phone call is terminated, the connection status reverts to “Connected”.
Note that this resetting of Bluetooth connections will occur automatically if “Call Audio Routing” on the iPhone is set to “Bluetooth Headset”. (Settings —> Touch —> Call Audio Routing).
NOTES
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You should define a primary and a secondary device. Typically, the iPhone is defined as the primary device and the iPad as the secondary device.
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It is unnecessary to install the “myPhonak” app on the secondary device. Besides being unnecessary, it can confuse users.
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Check the “R-Phonak hearing aid” Bluetooth connections on the iPhone and iPad to ensure that the “Device Type” is set to “Hearing Aid”. Go to Settings—> Bluetooth and click the little “i” circle to the right of these connections. Check Device Type.
Phonak User Guide - Audéo P-R/RT (phonak.com).