The BT device type would apply to any streaming, whether AutoSense Streaming of media or streaming a phone call. If you check your settings, you will not find the physical phone setting changed by what you stream. It’s a setting for how your smartphone and your BT-dominant HA (the right, by default) communicate.
ChatGPT:
Does the iOS classic BT device type change depending on whether you stream media (AutoSense streaming) or use the Streaming Program for phone calls?
ChatGPT said:
In iOS, the Bluetooth device type typically remains the same, regardless of whether you’re streaming media (AutoSense streaming) or using the Streaming Program for phone calls. The device type classification (e.g., “hearing aid,” “headphone”) is typically assigned when pairing the device, and it stays consistent across different modes and uses.
However, what can change depending on the context (media vs. phone calls) is the audio profile iOS uses with the hearing aid:
- AutoSense Streaming for Media: When you stream media, like music or videos, iOS routes audio to the hearing aid using the optimized Bluetooth profile for media, aiming to deliver higher-quality audio. This may slightly alter the way your hearing aids process the sound, but it doesn’t change the device type.
- Streaming Program for Phone Calls: For phone calls, iOS may switch to a Bluetooth Hands-Free Profile (HFP), which is optimized for calls rather than high-quality media playback. HFP prioritizes low latency and clear voice transmission, sometimes at the expense of sound quality, especially for music.
So, while the “classic” Bluetooth device type set by iOS doesn’t shift between these two uses, iOS may switch between audio profiles for optimized sound processing, depending on the content being streamed.
I get improved audio for both streaming phone calls and streaming media using the Car Stereo device type for my R-Phonak Hearing Aid classic BT connection. The device type is not changing, so the same processing changes seem to be applied to both streaming programs (media & phone). One explanation of why Car Stereo is better than the Hearing Aid device type is here: Can phone microphone be used instead of handsfree calling (HA mic) with Phonak hearing aids - #18 by jim_lewis
I see that you already saw the linked post. I’m including the link as a cross-reference for anyone perusing this thread. I first raised the question of phone call mic control in this thread, and other people, such as yourself, commented on my initial reactions to my Sphere phone call experience in this thread. MDB then wisely moved the topic to a new thread, so I’ve put my new comments in that thread, e.g., the linked post. Perhaps anyone reading the mic phone call business in this thread should post their further comments, questions, or reactions, in that thread: Can phone microphone be used instead of handsfree calling (HA mic) with Phonak hearing aids