Apple has updated its list of compatible hearing aids, adding 43 models from 22 brands. Five manufacturers appear for the first time, including Panasonic, a name more commonly associated with televisions. More noteworthy for Mac users is the addition of the MacBook Neo to the system requirements, listed one line further down.
Hearing aids are among the accessory categories that Apple rarely discusses, even though the program has been running for over a decade. For those affected, however, the compatibility list is a crucial purchasing criterion – anyone wanting to pair a hearing aid directly with their iPhone needs to know beforehand whether their model is supported. The extent to which this topic is now integrated into the system is also demonstrated by the fact that Apple has allowed the AirPods Pro 2 to undergo a certified hearing test since 2024.
The updated overview is available as a list of Made-for-iPhone hearing aids in the Apple Support section. With the new entries, it now includes 623 models from 104 brands.
Key Facts at a Glance
- 43 newly added models are spread across 22 brands.
- Five brands are represented for the first time: Bellson, MicroSom, Panasonic, RION and Yeasound
- Most of the new devices support bidirectional streaming, i.e., hands-free calling via the hearing system.
- Three previously listed models were subsequently marked as bidirectional.
- The MacBook Neo is listed in the system requirements for both streaming directions starting with macOS Tahoe 26.
Five new manufacturers are joining
The new additions come primarily from brands that were already on the list and have subsequently registered individual model series. OuïeZen alone accounts for four new entries, while Afflelou, Audibel, NuEar, Oticon, and Starkey each have three.
More interesting are the manufacturers who are appearing for the first time:
| Brand | Newly listed models |
|---|---|
| Bellson | A1 X0 |
| MicroSom | Edge AI, Intrigue AI |
| Panasonic | WH-C5, WH-R5 |
| RION | HB-A8, HI-C7 |
| Yeasound | RIC700, RIC800 |
Panasonic and RION are both based in Japan and have long been active in the hearing aid market there – they have not yet played a significant role in German-speaking countries.
From a DACH perspective, Bernafon is more relevant: The company is based in Bern, manufactures in-ear devices in its Berlin factory, and is represented by the A1 X0 and Encanta models. Like the also-listed brands Oticon and Sonic, Bernafon belongs to the Danish Demant Group – so the numerous brand names on Apple's list represent significantly fewer corporations than the 104 entries might suggest.
What bidirectional streaming means
Apple distinguishes between two operating modes in the list. With unidirectional streaming, audio travels only from the iPhone to the hearing aid – music, calls, navigation instructions. Bidirectional devices also pick up the wearer's voice via the hearing aid's microphones.
In practical terms, this means hands-free calling without holding the iPhone. Almost all 43 new additions support this feature; exceptions include the MED-EL AudioStream adapter and SONNET 3, Oticon's Engage and Semper, and the Widex Moment MRRLD.
In addition, Apple has retrospectively marked three existing entries as bidirectional: Bernafon's Entra AX, as well as Ineo AX from Pro Akustik and SoniTon.
The MacBook Neo is now included in the system requirements
For Apple users without hearing aids, this is the real news of the update. Apple has added the most affordable Mac model to the requirements list, for both streaming options. macOS Tahoe 26 or later is required.
With this, Apple closes a gap that remained open at the market launch in March: Although the MacBook Neo was a fully-fledged Mac from the start, it simply did not appear in several accessory and compatibility documents.
Past experience has shown that such matters are not merely a formality. After the launch of the iPhone 12, Apple acknowledged connectivity problems with MFi hearing aids, which were only resolved via a software update.
Two ways to better hearing, one system
Apple is currently pursuing two parallel approaches to hearing. The older one is the MFi program with certified hearing aids from an audiologist, the newer one is its own hardware: Since FDA approval of the hearing aid function for the AirPods Pro 2, the earbuds can be used as a hearing aid for mild to moderate hearing loss. In Germany, the function was activated on October 28, 2024.
The two approaches target different groups. AirPods cover the entry-level segment and cost a fraction of a hearing aid, but they are neither intended for continuous wear nor for more severe hearing loss. A custom-fitted hearing aid remains the solution in those cases – and this list is precisely what ensures its compatibility with iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro.
Why list maintenance is more than routine
For most readers here, the update changes nothing. For someone who will soon be sitting in the hearing aid specialist's office, however, it is the basis of a purchase decision that will last for years and can quickly amount to four figures in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland).
If you are personally affected or searching for hearing aids for family members, it's worth taking a look at the list before your appointment with the audiologist – and asking about bidirectional streaming, because this detail is crucial for everyday comfort and is rarely mentioned during the consultation. The overview of iPhone accessibility features shows which other hearing functions the iPhone offers.
What remains remarkable is the persistence. Apple has maintained this list since 2014, mostly without any announcement, and has grown it to over 600 models in that time. This is unspectacular, and precisely for that reason worth mentioning: Accessibility works best where it isn't marketed as a feature, but treated as a maintenance task. The area is becoming more visible anyway, since Apple integrated Apple Intelligence into its accessibility features.
What this means for hearing aid users
Users of the newly listed models can now pair them directly with their iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Vision Pro without an intermediary device. Those using an older model not on the list will still need to use the manufacturer's app or a separate streaming adapter.
Pairing on iOS 26 is done via Settings, Accessibility, and then in the "Hearing" section, the "Hearing Assistive Devices" option. Directly below is the "Hearing Control Center," which allows you to control the volume and apps of the paired system without having to return to Settings each time.
It remains to be seen how long Apple will continue to support its proprietary MFi protocol alongside the industry standard Bluetooth LE Audio. Several manufacturers now support both, and a unified standard would eventually render compatibility lists like this one obsolete. (Image: Apfelpatient)
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