Hearing aid compatibility for Pixel phones

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires phones to be compatible with hearing aids. Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) is evaluated per the technical standard ANSI C63.19. Prior to December 4, 2023, phones can show HAC compliance with ANSI C63.19-2011 or ANSI C63.19-2019. After December 4, 2023, only ANSI C63.19-2019 is accepted for HAC compliance.

Pixel phone compatibility & ratings

Phones compliant with ANSI C63.19-2019¹

Notes:

¹ ANSI C63.19-2019 does not use the M and T ratings of ANSI C63.19-2011. Instead, the 2019 ANSI Standard requires that phones meet or exceed a single threshold for each type of test (i.e., “PASS”) and requires that phones meet volume control specifications to be considered hearing aid-compatible. The volume control requirement comprises a two-part test:

• Conversational gain with a hearing aid: ≥ 6 dB
• Conversational gain without a hearing aid:
  • ≥ 6 dB (if tested under FCC limited waiver requirements in DA 23-914)
  • ≥ 18 dB (if tested without the waiver)

“Conversational gain” refers to acoustic gain, or how loud sound is, compared to a typical, face-to-face conversation.

² Coupling mode descriptions: “A” is Acoustic Coupling, “T” is Telecoil Coupling, and “BT” is Bluetooth Coupling (with supported BT modes).

³ The lowest overall conversational gain results are shown.

⁴ Volume control testing for this phone was performed according to the FCC’s limited waiver (DA 23-914).

⁵ Limits and test methods only exist for modes which are ≤ 6 GHz. Modes which are partially or entirely > 6 GHz are not tested.

⁶ Special HAC testing procedures do not impact the operation of Pixel phones.

Phones compliant with ANSI C63.19-2011¹

Notes:
¹ ANSI C63.19-2011 utilizes M and T ratings. Per the FCC, a mobile phone is considered hearing aid compatible if rated M3 or M4 for acoustic coupling and T3 or T4 for inductive coupling:

• M rating is a measure of immunity to radio frequency interference for acoustic coupling hearing aids.
• T rating is a measure of performance when used with an inductive coupling (telecoil) hearing aid.

² Coupling mode descriptions: “A” is Acoustic Coupling, “T” is Telecoil Coupling, and “BT” is BT Coupling (with supported BT modes).

Pixel phones have been tested and certified for use with hearing aids for some of the wireless technologies that they use. However, there may be some newer wireless technologies used in these phones that have not been tested yet for use with hearing aids. It is important to try the different features of the phone thoroughly and in different locations, using your hearing aid or cochlear implant, to determine if you hear any interfering noise. Consult your service provider or the handset manufacturer of the phone for information on hearing aid compatibility. If you have questions about return or exchange policies, consult your service provider or phone retailer. Additional information is available on the FCC wireless HAC web page.

Using Volume Control on Pixel Phones (for Acoustic coupling)

To use your hearing aid in "M" or Acoustic Coupling mode, make sure that your hearing aid is set to "M", and position the Pixel phone receiver near the hearing aid’s built-in microphone (or microphones). The hearing aid will receive audio from the phone through its built-in microphones. Acoustic Coupling mode is designed to work best with Hearing aid compatibility mode turned OFF (see following instructions to “Turn Hearing aid compatibility ON and OFF”). By default, Pixel phones are in Acoustic Coupling mode and have Hearing aid compatibility mode turned OFF. Volume Control functions are always enabled on Pixel phone voice calls.

1. Open your device’s Settings app.
2. Tap Sound & vibration.
3. Use the Call volume slider to increase or decrease the volume, as preferred.

OR

• While in a voice call, use the long button on the side of your Pixel phone to increase or decrease the volume, as preferred.

Turn Hearing aid compatibility on & off (for telecoil coupling)

To use your hearing aid in "T," or telecoil (inductive) coupling mode, make sure that your hearing aid is set to "T," and turn on Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) mode on your phone (see below). The hearing aid will receive audio signal-based magnetic fields generated by the inductive coupling-capable phone.

1. Open your device's Phone app .
2. Tap Menu .
3. Tap Settings Accessibility.
4. Slide the switch next to “Hearing aids” right for on or left for off.

OR

1. Open your device’s Settings app.
2. Tap AccessibilityHearing devices.
3. Slide the switch next to “Hearing aid compatibility” right for on or left for off.

Turn Bluetooth coupling on & off (to pair a hearing aid)

Certain Pixel phones can stream audio, like media and calls, directly to hearing aids over Android Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids (ASHA) or the Bluetooth SIG profile Hearing Access Profile (HAP). These ASHA and HAP hearing aids connect to your phone so you can stream audio and answer phone calls. To use these Bluetooth functions, both the phone and the hearing aid need to support ASHA or both the phone and the hearing aid need to support HAP. To make sure that your hearing aid supports audio streaming over Bluetooth, check with your audiologist or hearing aid manufacturer. See below for instructions for how to turn on Bluetooth for Hearing Aids on your phone. The hearing aid will receive audio from the Pixel phone via its Bluetooth wireless connection.

1. Open your device’s Settings app.
2. Tap Accessibility Hearing Devices.
3. Tap Pair new device.
4. Make sure your hearing aid is turned on and ready to pair for Bluetooth.
5. When you see your hearing aid listed in the Available hearing devices list on your phone, select your hearing aid and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the pairing process.

Non-ASHA hearing aids

There are hearing aids that aren't ASHA or HAP compatible, but offer streaming to Pixel phones through other devices. For support, check with your audiologist or hearing aid manufacturer.

Additional HAC resources

For more info about Hearing Aid Compatibility on Pixel Phones, contact a Google Disability support specialist.

Last updated: May 13th, 2026.