Why Updates Cause Pairing Problems

Understanding why this happens helps you fix it more confidently.

• Major OS updates (like iOS 17 to iOS 18, or Android 13 to Android 14) sometimes reset Bluetooth pairing data or change how Bluetooth devices are managed.
• Updates can change accessibility settings, including how hearing devices are handled.
• The hearing aid app itself may need an update to be compatible with the new OS version.
• In rare cases, a new OS version has a bug that affects specific hearing aid models — these are usually fixed in a subsequent update.

Fix 1: Restart Both Your Phone and Hearing Aids

This is always the first step. A restart clears temporary connection errors on both devices.

1. 1Restart your phone: hold the power button, slide to power off, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on.
2. 2Restart your hearing aids: place them in their charging case, close the lid, wait 10 seconds, then open the lid.
3. 3Wait for your phone to fully restart, then check if the hearing aids reconnect automatically.

Fix 2: Check Bluetooth Settings

After an update, Bluetooth may have been turned off or your hearing aids may have been removed from the paired devices list.

1. 1Go to Settings → Bluetooth and make sure Bluetooth is turned on.
2. 2Look for your hearing aids in the list of paired devices.
3. 3If they appear but show as "Not Connected," tap them to reconnect.
4. 4If they do not appear at all, proceed to Fix 3.

Fix 3: Re-Pair Your Hearing Aids

If your hearing aids are no longer in the Bluetooth paired devices list, or if reconnecting does not work, you need to re-pair them from scratch.

1. 1On iPhone: go to Settings → Accessibility → Hearing Devices.
2. 2On Android: go to Settings → Bluetooth → Pair new device.
3. 3Put your hearing aids in pairing mode: place them in the charging case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then open the lid.
4. 4Your hearing aids should appear in the list. Tap them to pair.
5. 5If prompted, confirm the pairing on your phone.

Fix 4: Update Your Hearing Aid App

After a major phone OS update, your hearing aid app may need to be updated to work correctly with the new OS version.

1. 1On iPhone: open the App Store, tap your profile icon, and scroll down to see available updates. Update your hearing aid app if an update is available.
2. 2On Android: open the Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, and go to Manage apps & device. Update your hearing aid app.
3. 3After updating, restart the app and check if your hearing aids connect.

Fix 5: Check Accessibility and Permission Settings

Phone updates sometimes reset app permissions. Your hearing aid app may have lost permission to access Bluetooth.

1. 1On iPhone: go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Bluetooth. Make sure your hearing aid app is listed and has Bluetooth access turned on.
2. 2On Android: go to Settings → Apps → your hearing aid app → Permissions. Make sure Bluetooth and Nearby Devices permissions are granted.

Fix 6: Reset Network Settings (iPhone)

On iPhone, resetting network settings clears all Bluetooth pairings and starts fresh. This is a more thorough fix but requires re-pairing all your Bluetooth devices.

1. 1Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings.
2. 2Enter your passcode and confirm.
3. 3Your iPhone will restart.
4. 4Re-pair your hearing aids following the steps in Fix 3.

When to Contact Your Audiologist or Hearing Aid Manufacturer

If none of the above fixes work, the problem may be a compatibility issue between the new OS version and your specific hearing aid model.

• Check your hearing aid manufacturer's website for a compatibility notice about the latest iOS or Android version.
• Contact your audiologist — they may have heard from other patients with the same issue and know the fix.
• Check the hearing aid manufacturer's support line — they can often walk you through brand-specific troubleshooting steps.