When you use hearing devices, it amplifies sound and makes it easier for you to hear.
Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 14 or later. Learn how to check your Android version.Hearing device compatibility
“M” or acoustic coupling modeTo use your hearing device in "M," or acoustic coupling mode, make sure that your hearing device is set to "M," and position the Android device receiver near the hearing device's built-in microphone or microphones. The hearing device will receive audio from the Pixel phone through its built-in microphones.
To use your hearing device in "T," or telecoil (inductive) coupling mode, make sure that your hearing device is set to "T," and turn on Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) mode on your Android device (see below). The hearing device will receive only audio signal-based magnetic fields generated by the inductive coupling-capable Pixel phone.
You can pair hearing devices with your Android device:
Try to Pair with “Connected devices” first since the method works with all types of hearing devices.
Pair with “Connected devices”The method below works with all types of hearing devices.
- Open your device's Settings app.
- Tap Connected devices
Pair new device.
- Choose your hearing device from the list of available devices.
- If you have more than one hearing device: Wait for the first hearing device to connect, then tap the other hearing device in the list of available devices. After both devices are paired, it will show the connection status.
- To change the settings, tap the Settings icon next to the name of the hearing device.
Pair new device.Tip: If you have a Pixel phone, learn about your phone's hearing device compatibility.
Important: The method below works best with ASHA compatible hearing devices.
- Open your device's Settings app.
- Tap Accessibility
- Choose your hearing device from the list of available devices.
- Make sure the hearing devices are in pairing mode.
- If you have more than one hearing device: Wait for the first hearing device to connect, then tap the other hearing device in the list of available devices. After both devices are paired, it will show the connection status.
- If you can’t find your hearing device: To pair your hearing devices, in the “Connected devices” page or “All bluetooth devices” page, tap See more devices.
- To create a shortcut to hearing devices: Tap Accessibility
Change hearing device settings & functions
You can change your hearing device presets, use your phone’s microphone for calls, control ambient volume on your Android device.
Use Quick SettingsYou can check and change settings in “Quick Settings.” From "Quick Settings," you can:
- Check your hearing device connection status.
- Connect or disconnect your hearing device.
- Access hearing device settings, like presets, battery levels, and other hearing-related tools.
- Use your phone’s microphone for calls.
- Control ambient volume.
You can change your hearing device presets set up by your audiologist.
-
Next to the name of your hearing device, tap Settings
-
From the list of available presets, select the one you want to change.
You can only adjust the presets for the left and right hearing devices separately if your hearing devices support independent presets.
You can update your hearing device settings to control whether notification, ringtones or media play through your connected hearing devices or through your Android device speaker.
- Open your Settings app.
- Tap Accessibility.
- Under “Audio,” tap Hearing devices.
- Under “Sound,” you can control whether notifications, ringtones, alarms, and media will play through your hearing devices or your device speaker.
Important: If you allow alarms and ringtones to play through your hearing devices, they will still play through both the Android device speaker and your hearing devices to make sure you don't miss them.
For clearer calls, especially in noisy places, use your phone's microphone instead of your hearing device's microphone. This feature is only available for hearing devices that support it.
For hearing devices that support ambient volume control, you can adjust the microphone volume of each ear independently. This helps minimize background noise and improves your listening experience.
Get more help
For more Accessibility help, contact the Disability Support team.