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MacOS Sonoma and Hearing Aids (MFi)

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I updated my MacBook to a beta of Sequoia and tried a couple different hearing aids and it works well now. It feels similar to pairing them to iphone and without all the weird issues.

“Made for iPhone hearing devices can be paired only with select Mac computers with the M1 chip, and all Mac computers with the M2 or M3 chip” Meaning hardware produced past 2020.

I’m locked in with Phonak stuff. Phonak Audeo Paradise P90R’s. Through workman’s compensation due to exposure to loud noise at work.

They don’t talk except through bluetooth. they sure aren’t “Made for iPhone”

Next time I “may” go for Oticon. But I don’t get to choose much. And except by fluke, I don’t get top of the line hearing aids. Guvmint has to save money you know.

Phonak uses classic and shouldn’t have any issues being connected to any Mac. is a form of bluetooth, just more energy efficient.

Edited

Only problem is with the user. Me.

DAveL

edit: update.
My 2 iMacs are 2010 vintage. They will be replaced. Except–thought it was done and 2 iMacs were ordered. The charges weren’t as explained in the Apple Store. Complimentary gift cards cost 2X$200. Result? the order was disallowed and the credit card is locked and must now be replaced. Thanks Apple Canada.

I have the Oticon ’s. Expensive. HA bluetooth works well on ipad/Iphone/iWatch. Doesn’t bluetooth on my iMac Sonoma. “Hearing Device not accessible” - VERY DISAPPOINTING. This is a heads-up in case you were thinking that Apple has sorted out the MFI incompatibility on the iMac M1 (bought mine from iStore in January 2024)

Edited

In reply to @Deanne_K

As a temporary workaround you may want to consider the Audio Relay app. It is free to trial and $14 to buy. It connects over WiFi or USB. I use USB to my computer and it has almost no delay. Less then a 1ms ‘additional’ delay over the phone to default delay! It runs on iPhone, Mac, Android, Windows and Linux. I set my PC as the server them connect my Android to the address that shows up for my PC. It is pretty straightforward to use and I did not know which should be the server at first. Good luck!

@RSW said:

Less then 1ms

While I’ve recommended Audio Relay in another thread myself; I have to correct you.
That latency just isn’t possible. Processing in hearing devices usually adds between 5-10ms [there are exceptions with ultra-low latency in devices from Widex] on top of that, connection between your phone and hearing devices will add around ~50ms. Summarily, it’s not enough to be noticeable by most people, but it definitely isn’t 1 ms.

For clarification, the time I referred to is what is displayed in the app as the client t server connection. In my case it is USB-C to USB-C. The delay from the cellphone to the hearing aids is neither measured or part of the app. It is the phone that uses Bluetooth to connect to the hearing aids. In my case the could be as fast as the devices latency however I was using the protocol so it is whatever that is.

The other option for Audio Relay is WiFi which would have a larger server to client latency.

In this scenario and knowing that the phone still connects over Bluetooth to the , the ‘additional’ latency added by the app is minimal and is what impressed me.

Sorry if there was a misunderstanding.

@RSW said:

The other option for Audio Relay is WiFi which would have a larger server to client latency.

I know, it adds around 200 ms. I’ve made post about Audio Reley here some time ago, but since then Linux gained capability to connect hearing devices directly so I have no need to use AR anylonger.

@Reginald said:

I’ve made post about Audio Reley here some time ago, but since then Linux gained capability to connect hearing devices directly so I have no need to use AR anylonger.

Yes I have been following the Linux thread for compatibility. I used to spend my life between many Unix and Linux OSes. Fond memories. I am glad ASHA on Linux is making progress. I hope the Open Source parts of Android 15 beta 2 and 3 have been a help.

@RSW said:

I hope the Open Source parts of Android 15 beta 2 and 3 have been a help

Andoid 15 focuses on Audio LE, is done for, more or less. One of the ASHA projects also tries to build an open-source audio dongle (around 10$ cost ) to free us from overpriced proprietary devices.

In reply to @Deanne_K

Does your iMac have an M1 Pro or M1 Max chip? If it is a base M1 chip then you will not be able to connect directly to the iMac (via ) and will need to use a Connect clip. The connect clip ‘translates’ regular bluetooth to Oticons proprietary LE bluetooth.

(I have an M2 MacBook and MFI direct connection works fine since Sonoma came out, before that I had to use Connect clip.)

In reply to @Deanne_K

I think there must be some way to Keep It Simple.

I had an amazing manager when I was a baby engineer. He suggested to ask questions.

  • Does it work?
  • If it doesn’t work, what’s changed?
    We’re encouraged to know that our hearing aids are medical equipment. If so, why do so many of us have issues, and have hearing aids that don’t work?

I’ve had two pair of hearing aids that didn’t work for extended periods. It was extremely stressful. I hope my answer helps.

I’m happy to say that my Oticon Intents work well with MacOS Sequoia and MacBook Pro M2. Also instantly connect when switching devices. Finally!

Edited

Yesterday, my iPhone 14 Pro (iOS 18) was in another room while I was working on my MacBook Air (M2 - macOS 15). My Oticon Intent hearing aids were connected to my phone. I received a phone call, answered it on my Mac, and the sound went directly to my hearing aids. The conversation was very clear and glitch-free. I didn’t have to do anything special—just answered the call on my Mac… Edit: I forgot to mention that I never moved away from my Mac and my iPhone stayed in the other room the whole time.

Your comment is very useful. I have the same setup as you (except. iMac 2024). I plan to get the Intent. However, as I understand things, at the moment the iMac Sequoia doesn’t have the same connectivity. I have to use the ConnectClip - which is an absolute nuisance. ( have used a previous model of Oticon with connectclip.)

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