Audio playback on FP6 through the hearing aid isn't working

[haretz]

Audio playback on FP6 through the hearing aid isn’t working. It’s not possible to switch to it. On FP5 is it o.k.

[dave]

I’ve just bought a new FP6 and was disappointed to find that this does not work.

For me the main issue is not being able to stream phone conversations to my hearing aids. This would improve my quality of life significantly.

There’s an issue on GitLab here to which I’ve added a comment.
FP6: Bluetooth LE (Low Energy) connections do not play audio (#8942) · Issues · e / Backlog · GitLab .

As I indicated there, it’s an ongoing disppointment to me that /e/os does not appear to consider the needs of hearing aid users a priority.

[Manoj]

@dave

it’s an ongoing disppointment to me that /e/os does not appear to consider the needs of hearing aid users a priority.

Hi @dave we are looking for feedback from users using hearing aids. I am passing on the gitlab issue details to the team to check and respond.

[Manoj]

@Manoj

We have an update from the developers. As mentioned, we are working on this issue.

It is related to the LE audio which is a next gen wireless Bluetooth audio standard designed for superior audio quality, ability to stream on multiple devices and battery efficient. The core reason is LE audio not working properly when access through the code in the phones.

For now, there are no ETAs. Will share the dates when I get some updates from the team.

An update on the above issue.

[dave]

New GitLab issue raised following release of /e/os v4.0.

Work items · e / Backlog · GitLab

[Qurumo]

Hi Manoj,

I also have hearing aids connected via bluetooth on the FP6. I’ve noticed when my sound is on silent it blocks all alarms/phone calls. I can put it on sound and then it will put audio on them. But I dont always want it on sound because it can be quite anoying during work. I want alarms & phone calls to work even though the phone is on silent.

[dave]

Have updated issue Sound stops playing though LE hearing aids after first use - Fairphone 6 (#9436) · Issues · e / Backlog · GitLab after v4.1.1 OTA upgrade.

[Manoj]

@dave

Have updated issue

Developer informed about the issue. Will get back with the response.

[czscht]

Hi,

I am using a FP6 with e/OS 4.1.1 previously and 4.2 now and am testing Unitron hearing aids. While pairing the hearing aids as a “head set” works (playing audio and talking), I cannot connect the Unitron “Remote Plus” successfully to the hearing aids.

Restarting the hearing aids puts them into coupling mode, the hearing aids are found, and the app displays them.

I tell the app to connect to them, after some waiting time the “coupling” dialog appears, which I accept.

Nothing happens for some time (30s), then an error message appears, telling me coupling failed, with “Pin, Passkey” as a comment. It tries both hearing aids, and both fail after some timeout.

I tried this on 4.1.1 and now on e/OS 4.2, but see the same problem. I have used the iPhone version of the app to connect to the hearing aids, and there the process works.

Mobile: FP6

/e/OS 4.2-a16-20260815662938-official-FP6

Hearing aids: Unitron Moxi S-R

App: Unitron Remote Plus 5.5

I have documented the process by taking pictures of every step which I can provide if somebody thinks this would help.

[czscht]

Hi all,

Any inputs or comments on my problem with the hearing aids ? Should I look somewhere else ? The aforementioned links into the developers git lab pages did not reveal anything specifically relevant.

[Manoj]

A fix for this issue was released along with v4.3 as mentioned here. The comment in gitlab was specifically about how it was to be tested.
The issue should be resolved by updating to v4.3 A16 build for the FP6

[czscht]

Hi Manoj,

Thanks for the heads up. I read that report, I just wonder if this is the same problem. The “headset” function BLE connection works fine, it plays audio for hours and the microphone works well.

Its the two remote control BLE connections (to each of the two hearings aids, left and right) which cannot be coupled, failing with a quick “Pin, Passkey” small error window (which stays visible for a few seconds).

But let’s see what 4.3 brings. Hope is eternally

[aibd]

In a quick search I found this Unitron Remote Plus: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sonova.unitron.rcapp.

I does declare itself Google dependent, idk to what extent, perhaps it would be worth to ask the app devs (??). Maybe there is some non proprietary control (??).

[czscht]

Yes, that’s the app. Interestingly the umbrella company Sonova is about 15km from my place, Phonak buildings. But I don’t think that gives me a better handle I talked at length with the people of my provider (Fielmann) but they just know it works on iPhone and Samsung, so that’s it for them.

I have a Samsung 10e which I don’t need anymore: Could that be used for debugging ? Its on Android 12, though.

[aibd]

I would first ask apps@unitron.com.

[czscht]

… which I just did I sent them a detailed email, summarizing what I wrote here. Let’s see if I receive any response or reaction. I mean, the hearing aids are 2300 CHF each, so it’s not a really low-cost, throw away, forget customer support product.

[haretz]

On e/OS/ 4.3 it is the same Problem. Audio playback on FP6 through the hearing aid Signia isn’t working. It’s not possible to switch to it. On FP5 is it o.k.