As part of a flurry of new accessibility improvements announced by Apple, the company says that Made for iPhone hearing aids can pair directly with Macs for the first time. Previously, pairing was only available with an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch.

Compatible products already support pairing with more than one Apple device, so this move should make it much easier for people who use both Macs and iOS devices …

Made for iPhone hearing aids

Made for iPhone (MFi) hearing devices effectively combine the functionality of hearing aids and AirPods. They allow people with hearing impairment to switch seamlessly from listening to their environment, to listening to their devices. Phone calls, FaceTime, Music, Siri, and other content is all supported.

In some cases, MFi hearing aids will switch automatically from ambient listening to your Apple device, such as when you receive an incoming call on your iPhone, or starting to play a movie on an iPad.

Settings allow you to configure your MFi hearing devices on your iPhone, and now on your Mac. This includes choosing an audio preset, adjusting volume levels, and turning on Live Listen.

MFi pairing with Macs

Apple doesn’t provide much detail on this, including just a single bullet point in its accessibility news release:

• Deaf or hard-of-hearing users can pair Made for iPhone hearing devices directly to Mac and customize them for their hearing comfort

However, the reference to the “customizing” feature does suggest that connecting to a Mac will allow greater control over the audio experience. While an iPhone allows you to choose between different audio presets, this wording indicates the ability to fine-tune the audio output to your own needs and preferences.

Mac compatibility

The small print says that users will be able to pair Made for iPhone hearing devices with “select” Mac devices with an M1 chip, and all Mac devices with an M2 chip.

We’ll need to wait for further details on M1 Mac support.

Hearing device compatibility

Around 200 devices are supported, from 40 different brands.

Those marked with an asterisk additionally support bidirectional streaming, which allows users to talk hands-free through their hearing aid microphones. This feature requires iOS 15.2 and later on iPhones and iPads; Macs will require some version of Ventura.

Advance

• RIC, RIC LI
• SlimRIC

AGXO

• FX00*
• GX00 S
• GX00 SC

Amplifon

• Ampli-connect B
• Ampli-connect PO*
• Ampli-connect R 13
• Ampli-connect R 312
• Ampli-easy B
• Ampli-energy B*
• Ampli-energy B R
• Ampli-energy I*
• Ampli-energy I R WL
• Ampli-energy PO*
• Ampli-energy R*
• Ampli-energy R R
• Ampli-energy R R-D
• Ampli-mini 312 AS
• Ampli-mini PO*
• Ampli-mini R 312

Aquitis

• AEBB3D
• AF2 B
• AF2 E
• AMBB3D
• AMRB2D
• AMRR2D

Audibel

• A3i
• A4i
• A4i iQ
• Arc AI*
• Via*
• Via AI*
• Via Edge AI*

Audibene

• HORIZON ITC-R
• HORIZON RIC
• HORIZON RIC-R
• HORIZON RIC-S

Audifon

• Lewi
• Risa

Audigy

• AGXsevo AI*
• AGXsevo AIAGXsp
• AGXsliv*
• AGXsliv AI*
• AGXsliv Edge AI*
• AGXsp 2
• AGXsp iQ
• AGXwE-F2
• Audigy AGXwM
• B-F2

Audika / Audika France

• First
• FX00*
• GX00
• GX00 S
• GX00 SC
• Legend
• PG X0

AudiLab

• Aligo*
• Altena
• Capto
• Coral

Audio Service

• DUO LI G5
• DUO LI G6
• Duo G5
• ENERGY 4PLUS BLUE
• FDH RIC
• HP LI G6
• Ida BT G5
• ITC LI 7
• ITE LI 7
• Mood G5
• Mood G5 Li-Ion
• MOOD G6
• MOOD LI G6
• OZ BTE
• OZ RIC
• P G5
• P LI G6
• R LI 7
• R S 7
• SR LI 7
• STILINE BT
• Sun G5

AudioSync

• A3i
• A4i
• A4i iQ
• Arc AI*
• Via*
• Via AI*
• Via Edge AI*

Audix

• Lewi
• Risa

Auris

• Øre

Beltone

• Beltone Amaze
• Beltone Boost
• Beltone Boost Max
• Beltone Boost Plus
• Beltone Boost Ultra
• Beltone First
• Beltone Imagine*
• Beltone Legend
• Beltone Silk
• Beltone Rely
• Beltone Trust

Bernafon

• Aligo*
• Alpha*
• Altena
• Capto
• Coral
• Leox
• Viron
• Viron A
• Zerena

Cochlear

• Baha 5
• Baha 5 Power
• Baha 5 SuperPower
• Kanso 2 Sound Processor
• Nucleus 7 Sound Processor

Cochlear Limited

• Kanso 2 Sound Processor
• Nucleus 7 Sound Processor

Concept

• Complete

Coselgi

• Effect EBB3D
• Effect F2
• Mojo MBR3D
• Mojo MRB2D
• Mojo MRBB3D
• Mojo MRR2D

Danalogic

• Ambio Smart

Danavox

• Alya
• Anthe
• Barani
• Danavox Aio
• Danavox Gala
• Danavox Logar
• Klar

EarLens

• EarLens Processor

EarQ

• EarQ
• FX0*
• GX0
• GX0 S

eMeritus

• eMeritus

GPL

• Aligo*
• Altena
• Capto
• Coral

Grand Audition

• GF2 B
• GF2 E

HCS

• HCS BTE, BTE LI
• HCS Custom ITC/HS, ITE
• HCS RIC, RIC LI
• HCS SR LI

Hearbuy

• Vogue E

Hear.com

• HORIZON ITC-R
• HORIZON RIC
• HORIZON RIC-R
• HORIZON RIC-S

HearFocus

• HearFocus

HHM

• FX00*
• GX00
• GX00 S
• GX00 SC
• PG X0
• PG X0 C

Hoerluchs

• ICP BTE
• ICP RIC

Hörex

• Aligo*
• Capto
• Coral
• Serie 2*
• Serie 2+*
• Serie 2PLUS X*

Hormann

• Natural
• Spatial

iBelieve

• MOOD LI-ION

Incognito

• IC RIC 312
• IC RIC LI

Intela-Hear

• Atom

Interton

• Interton Centro
• Interton Ready
• Move

Jabra

• Enhance Pro
• Enhance Pro PM

Kind

• KINDakira XD10
• KINDakira KD20*
• KINDduro KD20*
• KINDduro XD10
• KINDduro XD20
• KINDevo*
• KINDnido
• KINDvitalo*
• KINDvitalo 10*
• KINDvitalo 20*
• KINDwings

Kirkland Signature

• KS 6.0
• KS 8.0

KOJ

• FX00*

Lisound

• Aligo*
• Altena
• Capto
• Coral

Lively

• Lively

Lucid

• Lucid U series

Maico

• Aligo*
• Altena
• Capto
• Coral

Med-EL

• AudioStream

MediTrend

• Aligo
• FX00*
• GX00
• GX00 S
• SoniTon AO*
• SoniTon CO
• SoniTon CZ

MicroAudio

• Aligo*
• Altena
• Capto
• Coral
• Microaudio

MicroTech

• Kinnect
• Kinnect 2
• Kinnect iQ
• Esentia AI*
• Esentia*
• Envy AI*
• Esentia Edge AI*

Mimitakara

• goHearing R1
• goHearing R2
• goHearing R3

Miracle-Ear

• IRHYTHM ME
• ME Custom
• ME DS BTE
• ME DS RIC 13
• MECONNECT R 312
• MEENERGY B
• MEENERGY I
• MEENERGY iR
• MEENERGY R
• MEENERGY RF
• MEMINI R 312

MK

• MK2 CHARGE NX-M
• MK2 CHARGE NX-P

Mosaic

• Mosaic M 8C
• Mosaic P 8C

MultiOpticas

• FX00*
• GX00
• GX00 S

NationsHearing

• Peak Pro 9
• Peak 7

NuEar

• iSDS
• iNOW
• iNOW iQ
• Circa AI*
• Circa*
• Circa Edge AI*
• Savant AI*

Optima

• Deuce

Optimus

• INSYNC
• INSYNC R

Oticon

• FX00*
• Opn
• Opn S
• Opn Play
• More*
• Play PX*
• Ruby
• Zircon*
• Optim
• Siya
• Xceed
• Xceed Play

Oticon Medical BAHS

• Ponto 4
• Ponto 5
• Sentio 1

Oton

• FX00*
• GX00
• GX00 S

Ouiezen

• OZ RIC 312
• OZ RIC LI
• OZ SLIM
• OZ TINI

Persona Medical

• Sombra

Philips

• HearLink
• HearLink 000
• HearLink 010
• HearLink 020
• HearLink 030*

Politec

• Aligo

Pro Akustik

• Aligo
• iPro.5*
• iPro.5 AI*
• ipro.6 AI*
• ipro.7 AI*
• pro+2 CO
• pro+3 CZ
• pro+4 AO*

ReSound

• ReSound Cala
• ReSound ENZO
• ReSound ENZO²
• ReSound ENZO 3D
• ReSound ENZO Q
• ReSound Forte
• Resound Key
• ReSound Lancio
• ReSound LiNX
• ReSound LiNX Quattro
• ReSound LiNX TS
• ReSound LiNX²
• ReSound LiNX 3D
• ReSound One*
• ReSound Preza
• ReSound Sola
• ReSound SOUSA Fine
• ReSound Up Smart
• ReSound Vida

Rexton

• ADORE
• BICORE CUSTOM LI
• BICORE R-LI
• BICORE R312
• BICORE SR
• EMERALD M
• EMERALD S
• M-CORE B-LI
• M-CORE R-LI
• M-CORE R312
• M-CORE SR
• MOSAIC M
• MOSAIC P
• STELLAR M
• STELLAR RIC
• STERLING  ITC
• STERLING  ITE

SES

• FX00*
• GX00
• GX00 S
• GX00 SC

Signia

• Active
• Active Pro
• Insio C&G ITC
• Insio C&G ITE
• Insio ITC (BT)
• Insio ITE (BT)
• Motion 13
• Motion 13P
• Motion C&G
• Motion C&G P
• Motion C&G SP
• Motion CHARGE&GO
• Pure Charge&Go Nx
• Pure Charge&Go X
• Pure 13
• Pure 312
• Pure C&G
• Pure C&G T
• Pure Charge&Go
• Stretta HP
• Stretta M
• Stretta M-R
• Stretta RIC
• Stretta UP-R
• Styletto
• Styletto Connect

Sonic

• Captivate
• Enchant
• Radiant*
• Trek

Soniton

• COMF 10
• ECO 8
• HDO 13 LI
• INSIDE
• RIC 312 SPIRIT
• RIC LI SPIRIT
• SLIM LI STIL

Specsavers

• Advance

Starkey

• Evolv AI*
• Halo
• Halo 2
• Halo iQ
• Livio AI*
• Livio*
• Livio Edge AI*

Sympatico

• SYMPATICO DUO
• SYMPATICO MOOD

TruHearing

• Flyte
• Flyte 770
• Flyte 990
• TH BTE, BTE LI
• TH Canal/ITE, ITC/HS/ITE LI
• TH RIC, RIC LI
• TH SR LI

Udisens

• Udisens

Udio Finissimo

• Udito Finissimo

VIO

• VIO E
• VIO E LI
• VIO E STYLE

Widex

• Beyond Fusion 2
• EarQ Beyond Fusion 2
• EarQ EBB2D
• EarQ EBB3D
• EarQ ERB2D
• EarQ Fusion 2
• EarQ MRB2D
• EarQ MRR2D
• Effect EBB3D
• Enjoy E-F2
• Enjoy EBB3D
• Enjoy EBB2D
• Evoke EBB2D
• Evoke EBB3D
• Evoke ERB2D
• Evoke Fusion 2
• Magnify MBR3D
• Magnify MRB2D
• Magnify MRB3D
• Magnify MRR2D
• Moment MBB3D
• Moment MBR3D
• Moment MRB2D
• Moment MRR2D

Apple previews iOS 17 accessibility features: Assistive Access, Personal Voice and Live Speech, more

 

 

 

 

Ahead of WWDC in June, Apple today has announced a range of new accessibility features coming to iPhone and iPad this year. The new features include a new “Assistive Access” interface option, Live Speech, Personal Voice Advance Speech, and more.

The first new feature announced by Apple today is called Assistive Access, and the company says this feature is meant to support users with cognitive disabilities.

Assistive Access uses innovations in design to distill apps and experiences to their essential features in order to lighten cognitive load. The feature reflects feedback from people with cognitive disabilities and their trusted supporters — focusing on the activities they enjoy — and that are foundational to iPhone and iPad: connecting with loved ones, capturing and enjoying photos, and listening to music.

Assistive Access includes a customized experience for Phone and FaceTime, which have been combined into a single Calls app, as well as Messages, Camera, Photos, and Music. The feature offers a distinct interface with high contrast buttons and large text labels, as well as tools to help trusted supporters tailor the experience for the individual they support. For example, for users who prefer communicating visually, Messages includes an emoji-only keyboard and the option to record a video message to share with loved ones. Users and trusted supporters can also choose between a more visual, grid-based layout for their Home Screen and apps, or a row-based layout for users who prefer text.

Next up, Apple has announced a new feature called Live Speech. This allows iPhone, iPad, and Mac users to type what they want to say to have it be spoken out loud during phone and FaceTime calls as well as in-person conversations. Users can also save commonly used phrases to chime in quickly during lively conversation.

There’s also a new component to this feature called Personal Voice for users who are at risk of losing their ability to speak. Apple says that this feature is a “simple and secure way to create a voice that sounds like them.”

For users at risk of losing their ability to speak — such as those with a recent diagnosis of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) or other conditions that can progressively impact speaking ability — Personal Voice is a simple and secure way to create a voice that sounds like them. 

Users can create a Personal Voice by reading along with a randomized set of text prompts to record 15 minutes of audio on iPhone or iPad. This speech accessibility feature uses on-device machine learning to keep users’ information private and secure and integrates seamlessly with Live Speech so users can speak with their Personal Voice when connecting with loved ones

Apple is also expanding the Detection features in the Magnifier app:

Point and Speak in Magnifier makes it easier for users with vision disabilities to interact with physical objects that have several text labels. For example, while using a household appliance — such as a microwave — Point and Speak combines input from the Camera app, the LiDAR Scanner, and on-device machine learning to announce the text on each button as users move their finger across the keypad.

Point and Speak is built into the Magnifier app on iPhone and iPad, works great with VoiceOver, and can be used with other Magnifier features such as People Detection, Door Detection, and Image Descriptions to help users navigate their physical environment.

Other new Accessibility announcements today from Apple:

• Deaf or hard-of-hearing users can pair Made for iPhone hearing devices directly to Mac and customize them for their hearing comfort.
• Voice Control adds phonetic suggestions for text editing so users who type with their voice can choose the right word out of several that might sound alike, like “do,” “due,” and “dew.” Additionally, with Voice Control Guide, users can learn tips and tricks about using voice commands as an alternative to touch and typing across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
• Users with physical and motor disabilities who use Switch Control can turn any switch into a virtual game controller to play their favorite games on iPhone and iPad.
• For users with low vision, Text Size is now easier to adjust across Mac apps such as Finder, Messages, Mail, Calendar, and Notes.
• Users who are sensitive to rapid animations can automatically pause images with moving elements, such as GIFs, in Messages and Safari.
• For VoiceOver users, Siri voices sound natural and expressive even at high rates of speech feedback; users can also customize the rate at which Siri speaks to them, with options ranging from 0.8x to 2x.

Apple says that all of these new software features are coming later this year.

How to improve hearing by turning iPhone and AirPods into remote microphones

 

 

 

 

AirPods are great fully wireless earphones, and they can also be used as a sort of hearing aid device with iPhone as a remote microphone. Follow along for how to improve hearing by turning iPhone and AirPods into remote microphones with the iOS Live Listen feature.

 

Live Listen support for AirPods came with iOS 12 and even users on the beta software noted how useful the feature is.

Nick Dawson, founder of the Sibley Innovation Hub at Johns Hopkins University, documented his mother’s use of Live Listen on Twitter.

First, she used AirPods while watching a movie. Dawson says the film was at normal volume and he placed an iPhone near the TV speakers while his mother wore AirPods so she could watch and listen with them.

Other valuable use cases can be at the dinner table, or environments with higher levels of ambient noise.

How to improve hearing by turning iPhone and AirPods into remote microphones

1. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad
2. Swipe down and tap Control Center, then Customize Control Center
3. Now swipe down and tap the + next to Hearing, tap Back and exit Settings
4. Open Control Center (swipe down from top right corner on iPhone X and later, swipe up from the bottom of your screen on iPhone 8/8 Plus and earlier
5. Tap the ear icon
6. Tap Live Listen to turn it on

Here’s how the process looks:

 

 

 

 

Now open Control Center and tap Live Listen to to turn it on. Place your iPhone closer to the audio source you’d like to hear better.

 

 

 

 

If you have trouble, turning on the feature like this:

 

 

 

 

Double check that AirPods are connected in Settings → Bluetooth. It may also help to play audio on AirPods first, then try to turn on Live Listen.