myPhonak App User Guide
- June 10, 2024
- PHONAK
Table of Contents
- Getting started
- Quick overview
- Installing myPhonak
- Troubleshooting account set-up
- Pairing with Phonak hearing aids
- Troubleshooting the pairing
- Home – Remote Control view
- Home – Remote Control advanced settings
- Remote Control advanced settings – Troubleshooting
- Health – Setting up
- Health detailed feature views – Wearing time, steps, activity levels*,
- Health detailed feature views – Heart rate*
- Other functionalities*
- Devices
- Support & Remote Support session
- Starting a Remote Support session
- Profile and Data privacy
- Important safety information
- Compliance information
- Symbol explanation
- References
- Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
- Download This Manual (PDF format)
User Guide – myPhonak 6
Getting started
myPhonak is an app developed by Sonova, a world leader in hearing solutions
based in Zurich, Switzerland. Read the user instructions thoroughly in order
to benefit from all the possibilities it offers.
This user guide describes the features of myPhonak, and how those features
can be operated by the user. Read this user guide through, before starting to
use the app.
Additional training is not needed for handling of the app
Compatibility information:
For the use of the myPhonak app, Phonak hearing aids with Bluetooth®
connectivity are required.
myPhonak can be used on Phones with Bluetooth® low energy (LE) capability
running on iOS® Version 15 or newer.
myPhonak can be used on Google Mobile Services (GMS) certified Android™
devices supporting Bluetooth® 4.2 and Android OS 8.0 and newer.
The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by
Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Sonova AG is under license.
iPhone® is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S and other
countries.
Android is a trademark of Google LLC.
IOS® is a registered trademark or trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its
affiliates in the United States and certain other countries.
Quick overview
Installing myPhonak
- Connect your smartphone to the internet via WiFi or cellular data
- Turn on your smartphone’s Bluetooth®
Download myPhonak
Download the app from the store. After installation open the app.| Open
the app
When you open the app for the first time, you have the option to take a tour.
If you
don’t want to do this, click on Skip tour.| Create an account
You can optionally create a myPhonak account. This is mandatory for accessing
health features.| Privacy policy
In order to use the app, you must
check the box after reading the Privacy Notice and Terms & Conditions. Then,
click on
Proceed.| Product improvement
You can optionally share app usage data, which
enables us to learn and improve our products.
Your data will be treated as described in the privacy
notice and cannot be tracked back to you.
Setting up an account with myPhonak
Create an account
You can optionally create a myPhonak account. This is
mandatory for accessing health features. If you already have an
account, click on Login.| Sign up with email
Use your email to sign up.| Set your Password
Follow the instructions to setup a secure password. The password must include
at
least 8 characters.Tap Next to go to the next
step.| Select your country
Your account information
are securely stored based onyour country’s regulations.| Verification
email
When you have entered your
email, you will get a verification code to the email you provided.
Once you have the confirmation code, tap Enter confirmation code.
Troubleshooting account set-up
Email already in use: if you have used the same email address to create a Phonak account in the past, you will receive from us an email to notify you and provide you instructions. If you want to create a new account please use a different email. Otherwise, you can just login with the same email address.
Internet connection
You need to be connected to
the internet to create your
account. Make sure that your
smartphone is connected
and try again.| Reset password
If you don’t remember your
password anymore or you
wish to reset it, just enter
your email and tap Send.| Reset password
An email with the link to
reset your password has
been sent. If you have not
received the email, check
your spam folder. If you still
have not received the email,
most likely an account with
this email address does not
exist. Please try to create a
new account.| Expired confirmation code
The confirmation code you
need to verify your email
address expires after seven
days. If it expires, you will
receive a new one by email.
Type the new code to finish
your account creation| Invalid confirmation code
If you type in an invalid
code, you can click on Send
it again to receive a new one
by email. Type the new code
and click Next to continue
with your account creation.
Pairing with Phonak hearing aids
To connect Bluetooth® enabled hearing aids with myPhonak, please follow the instructions below.
Pairing instructions
Tap Let’s get started and
follow the instructions for
your hearing aids.| Searching
The app is searching for
compatible hearing aids and
will display them once they
are detected. This may take a
few seconds. When the
devices appear, tap on the
device you want to connect.| Pairing the hearing aids
The app will connect to each
hearing aid separately.| Confirm for every device
On Apple devices, confirm
pairing by tapping Pair in the
popup for every device
separately.| Additional functions
When the hearing aids have
been successfully paired, you
have the option to pair your
hearing aids to receive phone
calls and stream music.
Tap Continue if you want to
skip this additional pairing.
Troubleshooting the pairing
Possible errors during the setup process.
For more troubleshooting information please visit the Phonak support page at
https://www.phonak.com/myphonakapp
Incompatible devices
The app cannot connect to the hearing aids because they are not compatible.
Please contact your hearing care professional for further information.|
Hearing aid connection error
If the pairing to one of the hearing aids fails, you can tap Try again to
restart the pairing process.| Connection fails to both
Tap Try again to restart the pairing process and follow the instructions.|
Location
On Android devices, you must enable location services when pairing Bluetooth®
devices for the first time.
After the initial setup you can disable the location services again.
Home – Remote Control view
Functionalities available for all hearing aids.
Adjust hearing aid volume
Move this slider up to
increase the volume, or down
to decrease the volume. If
you are fitted with two
hearing aids this slider
controls both devices
simultaneously.| Split the volume
Press the Split icon to adjust
the volume of each hearing
aid independently.| Mute
Tap on the Mute to mute the
hearing aid(s).| Accessing programs
Access your sound programs directly from the app home
screen. Swipe in the carousel to select a program that fits
your needs by tapping on it.
Choose from:
Automatic program
Programs created by your hearing care professional
Programs created by you
**Home – Remote Control view***
More settings
Depending on how the hearing aids were programmed, and which wireless
accessories you have, you will be able to adjust more settings, such as
tinnitus oiser and ambient balance, if you’re streaming.| Example
For example, if your hearing aids support tinnitus functionality and you’re in
a streaming program, you
will be able to adjust both in the dedicated screens.| Tinnitus noiser
If you have tinnitus, and have been instructed by your hearing care
professional on how to use the Tinnitus noiser, you can adjust the volume of
the masking noise.| Ambient balance
If you use an external streaming device, (e.g. TV Connector, music) you can
adjust the focus to hear more of the streamed signal or alternatively to hear
more of the surrounding environment.| Battery level
For rechargeable hearing aid(s) you can see the current status of charge. If
the battery is below 20% the icon turns red. Consider recharging soon.
*For details about features and hearing aids compatibility, please refer to your hearing care professional.
Home – Remote Control advanced settings
|
---|---
Adjust program
By tapping Adjust program you can modify the selected
program using advanced sound settings.| Program settings
You can adjust the selected program in different ways. Use the sliders to
adjust each setting: equalizer presets, volume control, noise reduction,
speech focus and dynamic control.
Equalizer presets
The equalizer presets allow you to make quick adjustments of the sound
pitch based on the acoustic environment you are in.
Tap on the equalizer icon to make more advanced adjustments.| Adjusting
sound pitch
Modify the sound pitch (frequency) by using the sliders. Press Close to go
back to settings.
*Home – Remote Control advanced settings – Create a new or update an
existing program
**
Personalized adjustments
After adjusting an existing program you can choose to update it by tapping
Update or to save it as a new program by tapping Save as
new.| Naming your personalized adjustment
You can savepersonalized
adjustments as a new program and give the name of your choice.| Invalid
program name
You cannot reuse the same name nor leave it empty. Valid names cannot contain
more than 22 characters and cannot contain whitespaces only.| Program
saved
When a new program is saved successfully, it will be added in your program
list and you’ll be informed about the number of slots available in your list.
Press Done to go back to the remote control home screen.
*Only available in specific hearing aids
Remote Control advanced settings – Troubleshooting
Program limit reached – max same base program
You can have a maximum of four programs based from the same base program.
If you reach the limit you have the option to replace an existing one with the
new by tapping on Manage.
Program limit reached – max program number
You can have a maximum of ten personalized programs saved in your program
list.
If you reach the limit you have the option to replace an existing one with the
new by tapping on Manage.
Health – Setting up
Some features of the Health section described here are available only with
certain Hearing aids.
For more information please refer to phonak.com.
Sign up
To access the health features you need to sign up with your myPhonak
account.| Enable location services
Enable location services in your iPhone to improve the quality of your health
data tracking by allowing frequent data synchronization. By denying access,
you won’t be able to track your health data.| Enter Health
When set up is done, you can enter the health dashboard (health home screen).
Health Health dashboard content
In the health dashboard you’ll be able to:
- Access the health functions supported by your hearing aids and see their values changing live*
- See goal progress, if already set up
- Access health tips (recommendations for other health apps)
Goal progress examples
If you have set up goals, you’ll be able to see your progress in the green
circle around the icon of each feature.
If you have exceeded the maximum value of your goal, you’ll see a second
circle around the icon.
Connection to your hearing aids
Remember that you need to be connected to your hearing aids to be able to see
your health functions values changing live. Frequent synchronization of the
app with your hearing aids allows for more accurate time information. If the
connection fails or your data cannot be synchronized, you’ll be notified and
led to the FAQs website to learn what to do.
- In order to access live Steps in the Health section, compatible Paradise Audéo R and Audéo RT wearers need to update to the latest firmware version. Naida P-PR wearers will access live wearing time and hourly updates for the step graphs.
The information contained in this section is for educational and informational purposes only. You should not use the information shown in the health section as a substitute for, nor should it replace, professional medical advice.
If you have any questions about your health, or before beginning an exercise program, you should always consult with a physician or other health-care professional.
To track your heart rate, make sure your ear pieces are correctly inserted into the ear canal. For the best result, keep still and quiet.
Health detailed feature views – Wearing time, steps, activity levels*,
distance walked and ran**
Wearing time
By clicking on the wearing time card of the dashboard, you enter the daily
wearing time graph. Go to weekly, monthly or yearly view by tapping on the
respective tab, which turns green. If you have two hearing aids, the graphs
display the value of both left and right hearing aids.
Below you see current (for daily view) or average values (for non-daily view),
as well as the breakdown of wearing time in different sound environments.
*For all Audéo Paradise rechargeable, Phonak Audéo Fit, and all Phonak Lumity rechargeable hearing aids
**For Phonak Audéo Fit and all Phonak Lumity rechargeable hearing aids
Steps, activity levels and distance
By clicking on the steps card of the dashboard, you enter the daily steps
graph. Go to weekly, monthly or yearly view by tapping on the respective tab,
which turns green.
Below you see current (for daily view) or average values (for non-daily view),
as well as the approximate distance you walked or ran**.
The activity levels show the time you did no, low (some movement detected),
medium (walking detected) or high (running detected) activity.
Health detailed feature views – Heart rate*
Heart rate (HR) tracking
All views include live heart rate (HR). The daily view includes the resting
heart rate (RHR) and ranges of your HR per hour. The weekly view includes the
average resting heart rate (RHR) per day, live heart rate (HR) and ranges of
your HR per day.
Weekly, monthly and yearly views include:
- Daily view – hourly resolution (Periodic and live HR ranges per hour, one lowest Resting HR per day),
- Weekly / monthly / yearly views – daily / weekly / monthly resolution of HR ranges and RHR ranges
More information
Click on the (i) icon on the right top of the screen to get more information
and references about heart rate and why it is important to track your resting
heart rate.Health –
Other functionalities*
**Set, change and remove goals*
Setting up goals is optional for steps and wearing time. You can set them up
during the health set up, in the health dashboard or in the detailed views of
these features.
Click the Set goal or Change goal button to follow the flow of screens as
shown above in the example. Enter a valid number for wearing time or steps and
tap on Set goal to save your changes. Tap on Remove goal, if you wish to
delete it. Tooltips*
Click on a spot of the bars of the graph to see the exact values displayed in
a white banner (tooltip).
For Audéo Paradise rechargeable, Phonak Audéo Fit, Phonak Audéo Lumity and Phonak Slim hearing aids.
Devices
Devices home screen
In the Devices section you can access everything related to your hearing aids,
e.g.
Program management and Device settings. You can also see the battery state for
rechargeable models.
Forget devices
Go to Your hearing aids card to remove your device(s). A pop-up message will
appear
after clicking the Forget my device(s) button, where you will need to confirm
the removal. Please note that by doing so you will need to pair your hearing
aids again in order to use the app.| Program management
By tapping on Hearing aid programs you will be able to
see all available programs. Tap on one to edit the name
or delete it. There are three types of programs: automatic, programs created
by your hearing care professional and your personalized programs. If there is
an icon next to the program name, it means that it is available on the push
button of your hearing aids.| Hearing aid programs
You can edit the name of the program and delete the program. You will also
be able to see which base program the program is
linked to.
Tap Delete Program to delete the program. A pop-up message will appear where
you will need to confirm the removal.
Support & Remote Support session
Support section
From the support screen you can access the FAQ*, User Guide, how-to-videos
website, Legal settings and share feedback. You can also access Remote Support
by pressing Start a Session.
Remote Support
By pressing Start a Session on the Support screen you will be able to have a
Remote Support session with your hearing care professional. The Remote Session
needs to be planned in advance with
your hearing care professional. Press Start Remote Support to continue.|
Start session
When you have started the session, you
will need to press Join waiting room.Your hearing care professional will then
be able to call you.| Access to microphone and camera
Tap on OK to allow the myPhonak app access to your microphone and camera.
Starting a Remote Support session
Accept video call
The app will connect you to your hearing care professional, wait until the
hearing care professional enters the call.| Ongoing call
After a few seconds, the video image is set up and you will be able to see and
hear your hearing care professional. By using the controls, you can mute/
unmute, disable video, switch camera and end the call.| Connected hearing
aids
If your hearing care professional needs to connect to your hearing aids, this
can be done remotely using your smartphone. Your hearing care professional
will let you know when he or she is connecting to your hearing aids.| End
of call
When the call has ended, you will be able to rate your experience. Press on
the link to submit your feedback. Press Done to go back to the landing
screen.
Troubleshooting during Remote Support session
Wi-Fi connection
The Remote Support session is done using internet. For better quality, we
recommend that you use Wi-Fi.| Hearing aids connection lost
You will be able to see the connection to your hearing aids on the top of the
screen. If the hearing aids disconnect the symbol will turn red. Your hearing
care professional will then need to reconnect to your hearing aids.| Call
failed
If the call fails, press Ok to return to the home screen where you can restart
the call.| Ending the call while running If you end the call while it is
in progress you will receive this pop-up message.
Profile and Data privacy
Profile section
In the Profile screen you can edit your profile information and adjust your
preferences related to Health.
If you want to sign out from the app, tap Sign out. Personal details
You can edit your personal information under Personal details and modify your
security information. If you want to delete your account, press Delete
account. You will need to enter your password to confirm the action.
Data privacy
Go to Support > Data privacy and choose at anytime which data you want to
share with Phonak.
Details on which data we process are described in the Privacy Notice. This is
available anytime under Support > Legal documentation.
Important safety information
Please read the relevant safety information on the following pages before
using your app.
Intended use:
The app is standalone software for intended hearing aid users to select,
configure and save hearing aid settings, within the limited range permitted by
the fitting software. The app also enables and empowers intended hearing aid
users to connect and communicate with hearing care professionals for remote
hearing aid adjustments.
Intended patient population:
This device is intended for patients with unilateral and bilateral, mild to
profound hearing loss from 17 years of age. The Tinnitus feature is intended
for patients with chronic tinnitus from 18 years of age.
Intended user:
Person with hearing loss using a compatible device.
Indications:
Please note, indications are not derived from the app, but from the compatible
hearing aids. General clinical indications for the use of hearing aids and
Tinnitus feature are:
-
Presence of a hearing loss
Uni- or bilateral
Conductive, sensorineural or mixed
Mild to profound -
Presence of a chronic tinnitus (only applicable for devices which provide the Tinnitus feature)
Contraindications:
Please note, contraindications are not derived from the app, but from the
compatible hearing aids.
General clinical contraindications for the use of hearing aids and Tinnitus
feature are:
- Hearing loss is not in the fitting range of the hearing aid (i.e. gain, frequency response)
- Acute tinnitus
- Deformity of the ear (i.e. closed ear canal; absence of the auricle)
- Neural hearing loss (retro-cochlear pathologies such as absent/non-viable auditory nerve)
The primary criteria for the referral of a patient for a medical or other specialist opinion and / or treatment are as follows:
- Visible congenital or traumatic deformity of the ear;
- History of active drainage from the ear in the previous 90 days;
- History of sudden or rapidly progressive hearing loss in one or both ears within the previous 90 days;
- Acute or chronic dizziness;
- Audiometric air-bone gap equal to or greater than 15 dB at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz and 2000 Hz;
- Visible evidence of significant cerumen accumulation or a foreign body in the ear canal;
- Pain or discomfort in the ear;
- Abnormal appearance of the eardrum and ear canal such as:
Inflammation of the external auditory canal,
Perforated eardrum;
Other abnormalities which the hearing care professional believes are of medical concern
The hearing care professional may decide that referral is not appropriate or in the best interests of the patient when the following applies:
- When there is sufficient evidence that the condition has been fully investigated by a medical specialist and any possible treatment has been provided;
- The condition has not worsened or changed significantly since the previous investigation and /or treatment
- If the patient has given their informed and competent decision not to accept advice to seek a medical opinion, it is permissible to proceed to recommend appropriate hearing aid systems subject to the following considerations:
The recommendation will not have any adverse effects on the patients’ health or general wellbeing;
The records confirm that all necessary considerations about the patient´s best interests have been made
If legally required, the patient has signed a disclaimer to confirm that the
referral advice has not been accepted and that it is an informed decision.
Clinical benefit:
The app benefits intended users by providing the possibility to adjust and
save hearing aid settings to individual needs, within the range permitted by
the initial fitting.
The app provides a convenient way for intended users to communicate and
connect with hearing care professionals for remote hearing aid adjustments.
Side effects:
Please note, side effects are not derived from the app, but from the
compatible hearing aids.
Physiological side-effects of hearing aids like tinnitus, dizziness, wax build
up, too much pressure, sweating or moisture, blisters, itching and/or rashes,
plugged or fullness and their consequences like headache and/ or ear pain, may
be resolved or reduced by your hearing care professional.
Conventional hearing aids have the potential to expose patients to higher
levels of sound exposure, which might result in threshold shifts in the
frequency range affected by acoustic trauma.
Limitations of use:
The app usage is limited to the capabilities of the compatible device/devices.
Any serious incident that has occurred in relation to the app, should be
reported to the manufacturer representative and the competent authority of the
state of residence. The serious incident is described as any incident that
directly or indirectly led, might have led or might lead to any of the
following:
a. the death of a patient, user or other person
b. the temporary or permanent serious deterioration of
a patient’s, user’s or other person’s state of health
c. a serious public health threat
To report an unexpected operation or event, please contact the manufacturer or
a representative.
The user guide for all app versions in all applicable languages in electronic
form is accessible via web page. To access user guides, follow the process:
- Click on https://www.phonak.com/en-int/global-locations and choose the country of interest
- Go to ”Support” (English) or its equivalent in the respective language
- Go to “User Guides” (English) or its equivalent in the respective language
- Go to “Apps” (English) or its equivalent in the respective language
- Choose “myPhonak app”
Alternatively, the current version of the myPhonak user guide can be accessed
directly from the app by navigating to the Support section and then tapping on
the card named “User Guide”. The user guide will then open in an external
browser window.
Security notice
Patient data is private data and its protection is important:
- Make sure the smartphones are up-to-date with the latest Operating System security updates. Enable automatic updating.
- Make sure your installed app version is up-to-date
- Only use genuine Sonova apps from official stores with your hearing aids.
- Only install reputable apps from official stores
- Make sure you use strong passwords and keep credentials secret
- Lock phone with PIN and/or biometric (e.g. fingerprint, face) and set the phone to lock automatically after several minutes of inactivity.
- Make sure the installed apps only have permissions they need
- Avoid creating a Bluetooth pairing with your hearing aids in a public area. This is due to the risk of unwanted interference from a 3rd party. We recommend to do this Bluetooth pairing at home.
- DO NOT use a jailbroken or rooted phone Make sure to keep data safe at all times. Please be aware that this listing is not exhaustive.
- When transferring data through unsafe channels, either send anonymous data or encrypt it.
- Protect your smartphone data backups not only from data loss but also from theft.
- Remove all data from a smartphone which is no longer used by you or will be disposed.
Software maintenance:
We are constantly monitoring feedbacks from the market. If you experience any
issues with the latest app version, please contact your local manufacturer
representative and/or provide feedback in the Appstore or Google Play Store.
Changing settings, e.g. decreasing volume or increasing noise canceler, may
lead to dangers such as incoming traffic no longer being heard.
To obtain a free paper copy of the instructions of use, please contact your
local Sonova representative. A copy will be sent within 7 days.
If the hearing aids do not respond to the device because of an unusual field
disturbance, move away from the disturbing field.
If the hearing aids do not respond, please check if the hearing aids are
switched on and the battery is not empty.
Activate your Bluetooth. Bluetooth has to be enabled to connect to your
hearing aids.
Compliance information
Europe: Declaration of Conformity
Hereby Sonova AG declares that this product meets the requirements of the
Medical Devices Regulation (EU) 2017/745.
Symbol explanation
| This symbol indicates that it is important for the user to read and take
into account the relevant information in this user guide.
---|---
| This symbol indicates that it is important for the user to pay attention to
the relevant warning notices in this user guide.
| Important information for handling and product safety.
| With the CE symbol, Sonova AG confirms that this product meets the
requirements of the Medical Devices Regulation (EU) 2017/745. The numbers
after the CE symbol correspond to the code of certified institutions that were
consulted under the above-mentioned regulation.
| Indicates the Authorized representative in the European Community. The
EC REP is also the importer to the European Union.
| Indicates that the device is a medical device
Name, address, date| Combined symbol “medical device manufacturer” and “date
of manufacture” as defined in in EU Regulation (EU) 2017/745
****| An indication that electronic instructions for use are available.
Instructions can be obtained on
thewww.phonak.com/myphonakapp website
Sonova AG · Laubisrütistrasse 28
CH-8712 Stäfa · Switzerland
****Sonova Deutschland GmbH
Max-Eyth-Str. 20
70736 Fellbach-Oeffingen · Germany
Australian sponsor:
Sonova Australia Pty Ltd
12 Inglewood Place,
Norwest NSW 2153 · Australia
V3.00/2022-11/JR
© 2022 Sonova AG All rights reserved
This user guide is applicable for myPhonak 6.3 and later subversions of
myPhonak 6 app.
For prior version of the app user guide please contact your local
representative or consult the web site.
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Read User Manual Online (PDF format) >>