Apple released iOS 10.2 earlier this month with an all-new "TV" app, a range of new emoji, bug fixes, and other improvements, including one that was not mentioned in the changelog — improved support for MFi hearing aids.

mfi-hearing-aids
After updating to iOS 10.2, Reddit user dshafik noted Find My iPhone pings now come through the iPhone's speakers, while FaceTime rings for outgoing calls through his ReSound 9-Series hearing aids.

On previous software versions, Find My iPhone would ring through the hearing aid itself, making it harder to find a lost iPhone, while FaceTime would ring on the iPhone's speakers for outgoing calls, despite the actual call being routed through the hearing aid.

The accessibility improvements are good news for those with hearing aids, and certainly show attention to detail.

Related Forum: iOS 10

Top Rated Comments

BMcCoy Avatar
114 months ago
Apple's attention to accessibility issues is certainly one area they do well, and far superior to some other manufacturers. Credit to them.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RedTomato Avatar
114 months ago
My Naida Q50 UP were about $3,000 for the pair but insurance covered the cost. I'm quite happy that Apple works hard on accessibility. Thank you, Apple!
Good to see Apple improving their support and paying attention to the details in this area.

I have Naidas too, the V UP model. I work mostly with deaf people / hearing signers at the moment so I rarely wear them, though I would use them more if I was working with non-signers.

The Nadas irritate me because they don't have an on/off switch, fiddling with the battery holders annoys me and traps my hairs, and I can't hear the volume adjustment beeps or the max volume beep. so I don't know where I am on the volume settings. It's exasperating that an advanced device made for very deaf people like me can be so user-hostile.

To be honest, the old analogue hearing aids from 15 years ago had a far better user interface paradigm with controls that were more navigable, even if their sound output was **** compared to today's hearing aids.

I shouldn't complain though, I got mine for free on the NHS (which gets them at a huge discount thanks to bulk-buy). Mine are a couple of years old which means they probably won't work with iOS and other fancy stuff, much to my disappointment.

There's a list of Apple compatible hearing aids here: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201466
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FreakinEurekan Avatar
114 months ago
Nice, I had reported that bug regarding FMiP. I've also seen improved support of Bluetooth streaming with 10.2, seems less prone to flipping back to my aids - though, I switched iPhone 5s to iPhone 7 Plus literally just a couple days after installing 10.2 so I can't say if the improvements are from 10.2 or the new phone. I have the ReSound Linx2 9-series. @Weaselboy these were north of that figure by a bit :) but yes, covered by health insurance.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MH01 Avatar
114 months ago
Always respected apple stance on accessibility. Less emoji and more of this!!!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RedTomato Avatar
113 months ago
Since there are a few Macrumors deaf readers here, am popping back into this thread with a warning. Last Black Friday I treated myself to the ChromeCast and the Amazon Fire Stick, but didn't get round to playing with them till the Xmas break.

I was expecting to use the ChromeCast for most things, but sadly its subtitle support is lacking. It plays media files from my laptop (via Chrome browser) but won't pick up the subtitle files. Some other web players didn't relay subtitles to the TV either. Am disappointed, as was looking forward to playing media from laptop on TV without needing to hook it up with wires.

I was expecting the Amazon Fire Stick to only be a backup, but the apps for it are turning out to have better subtitle support than the ChromeCast. I've not yet sideloaded Plex on the Fire Stick but apparently that will play subtitle files.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
carlgo Avatar
114 months ago
Check out Costco's price for iPhone compliant hearing aids. Vastly cheaper. And with the membership you can buy giant bottles of good Vodka cheap...
[doublepost=1482374740][/doublepost]I did not previously upgrade to 10.2 because all Apple talked about were those #@$%^&* emoji things and I wanted to hold off having them infesting my phone for as long as possible. Now I will get 10.2 for the usefulness of the hearing aid app.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro 3 4ths Perspective Aluminum Camera Module 1

New iPhone 17 Pro Details: Brighter Display, Best Battery Life, and More

Wednesday September 3, 2025 5:33 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models will feature a number of significant display, thermal, and battery improvements, according to new late-stage rumors. According to the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital," the iPhone 17 Pro models will feature displays with higher brightness, making it more suitable for use in direct sunlight for prolonged periods. The iPhone 16 Pro and...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

iPhone 17 Pro: 5 Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 1, 2025 4:35 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Prices Estimated Ahead of Apple Event Next Week

Tuesday September 2, 2025 1:50 pm PDT by
Just one week before Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series, an analyst has shared new price estimates for the devices. Here are J.P. Morgan analyst Samik Chatterjee's price estimates for the iPhone 17 series in the United States, according to 9to5Mac: Model Starting Price Model Starting Price Change iPhone 16 $799 iPhone 17 ...
iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
iOS 18 on iPhone Arrow Down

Apple Preparing iOS 18.7 for iPhones as iOS 26 Release Date Nears

Sunday August 31, 2025 4:35 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.7 for compatible iPhone models, according to evidence of the update in the MacRumors visitor logs. We expect iOS 18.7 to be released in September, alongside iOS 26. The update will likely include fixes for security vulnerabilities, but little else. iOS 18.7 will be one of the final updates ever released for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR,...
iPhone 17 Pro on Desk Centered 1

Survey: Nearly 70% of Users Plan to Upgrade to iPhone 17

Monday September 1, 2025 8:24 am PDT by
A new survey has found that nearly seven in ten iPhone owners in the United States plan to upgrade to an iPhone 17 model, signaling strong demand ahead of Apple's expected unveiling of the devices at its September 9 keynote. Smartphone price comparison platform SellCell surveyed over 2,000 U.S.-based iPhone users in August to assess upgrade interest and brand loyalty before Apple's event....