If you’ve noticed that your Phonak hearing aids become “muted” with lower clarity and reduced volume when you use your phone to go online, receive a text message or other alert, you’re not alone. This issue occurs because your phone is sending an audio signal to your hearing aids via Bluetooth, even if there is no actual sound coming through. Here’s why it happens and what you can do to fix it.
Why Does This Happen?
Phonak hearing aids, like many modern Bluetooth-enabled models, are designed to prioritize streaming audio when connected to a phone. Even when there is no audible sound, your phone may still be transmitting a Bluetooth audio signal. When this happens, the hearing aids automatically lower the volume of the microphone input to balance the sound from streaming audio and environmental sounds.
By default, Phonak hearing aids typically reduce the microphone input by -6dB when streaming occurs. This can make it seem like the hearing aids are muting, even though they are still functioning as expected.
How to Fix It
Here are some solutions to prevent your hearing aids from reducing volume when using your phone:
1. Mute the Phone Program
One of the simplest solutions is to mute the program or app you’re using on your phone. This prevents the phone from sending a silent audio signal to your hearing aids, allowing the microphones to remain at their normal volume level. Also turn off as many notification as possible in your phone settings.
2. Turn Off Bluetooth on Your Phone
If you don’t need Bluetooth functionality at the moment, simply turn off Bluetooth in your phone settings. This will prevent the hearing aids from receiving an unnecessary audio stream and will keep the microphone levels unchanged.
3. Adjust Hearing Aid Settings with Your Audiologist
If this issue frequently affects your experience, consider visiting your audiologist for an adjustment. They can modify the hearing aid settings so that the microphone input level remains at 0dB instead of dropping to -6dB during Bluetooth streaming. This adjustment allows for a more seamless transition between Bluetooth audio and environmental sounds, reducing the noticeable drop in volume when using your phone.
Final Thoughts
The issue of “muting” when using a phone online is caused by Bluetooth streaming settings in Phonak hearing aids. Luckily, this can be easily managed by muting your phone program, turning off Bluetooth, or working with your audiologist to fine-tune the hearing aid settings. By taking these steps, you can ensure a more balanced and consistent hearing experience.