Managing iPhone Notifications While Using Phonak Hearing Aids

The Frustration: Notifications Overload

Many users of the Phonak Audéo Lumity Slim L90 hearing aids have expressed frustration with how their devices handle Bluetooth connections to iPhones. While these hearing aids offer excellent comfort and sound quality, the Bluetooth experience—particularly related to iPhone notifications—can be overwhelming.

When connected via Bluetooth, iPhones route all sounds—including ringtones, alerts, email swooshes, and app notifications—through the hearing aids. This means users are forced to hear every ding and buzz directly in their ears, often disrupting daily life.

For many, this becomes so intrusive that they end up disconnecting their hearing aids from Bluetooth entirely—thereby also losing access to helpful features in the myPhonak app.

Why This Happens: Understanding Bluetooth Roles

The root of this issue lies in how Bluetooth profiles are managed on iPhones. Phonak uses a form of Bluetooth Classic rather than Apple’s proprietary Made for iPhone (MFi) protocol. This decision allows compatibility with both Android and iOS devices—but it comes with trade-offs.

In this pairing structure:

“LE R-Phonak Hearing Aid” and “LE L-Phonak Hearing Aid”connections handle app control (low-energy Bluetooth).

“R-Phonak Hearing Aid” connection handles all audio streaming including calls, media, and notifications.

The iPhone treats the R-Phonak Hearing Aid connection like headphones, routing nearly all audio through it.

Unfortunately, unlike Android, iOS does not currently allow fine-grained control to separate audio types by device. Users cannot easily choose which apps or alerts play through hearing aids and which stay on the phone speaker.

Workarounds: Tips for Regaining Control

Although there’s no perfect solution on iOS, some users have found partial workarounds:

Adjust Sound Settings:
Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and reduce ringtone and alert volume. You can also turn off sound notifications for non-essential apps.
Use Silent Mode:
Toggle the physical switch on the side of your iPhone to mute incoming notifications without affecting media or calls.

Delete the R-Phonak Hearing Aid Audio Profile:
In Bluetooth settings, delete the “R-Phonak” connection. This stops audio streaming (calls, media, notifications), but you’ll still retain control through the app via the LE connections.
Manage Notifications by App:
Navigate to Settings > Notifications and disable sound alerts for specific apps.

Note: These solutions may reduce some functionality, like audio streaming or phone call clarity. Always consult with your audiologist before making changes.

Is It a Phonak Problem or an iPhone Limitation?

Much of the frustration appears to be less about Phonak’s software and more about limitations within iOS itself. Apple’s lack of detailed Bluetooth routing options means the iPhone treats all Bluetooth audio devices—whether headphones or hearing aids—the same. Android users often report fewer issues due to greater audio routing flexibility.

Some hearing aid brands like Oticon, Resound, Starkey are MFi-certified, offering smoother integration with iPhones. However, these may not fit everyone’s hearing needs or ear shape as comfortably as Phonak devices.

Recommendations for Hearing Aid Users

Before buying hearing aids, discuss Bluetooth streaming behaviors with your audiologist.

Trial both Android and iPhone connections if you’re flexible with phone choice.
Stay up to date with software updates from both Phonak and Apple.

The Bottom Line

The Bluetooth streaming experience between Phonak hearing aids and iPhones can be inconsistent and sometimes disruptive. While there are partial workarounds, many users are left wishing for better control over what sounds make it to their ears. Until Apple or Phonak introduces a more refined solution, users must balance convenience with compromise.