myPhonak User Guide – myPhonak 6

Getting Started

myPhonak is an app developed by Sonova, a world leader in hearing solutions based in Zurich, Switzerland. This guide provides instructions to benefit from all the app's possibilities.

This user guide describes the features of myPhonak and how they can be operated. Read this guide thoroughly before using the app. No additional training is needed for handling the app.

Compatibility Information

Phonak hearing aids with Bluetooth® connectivity are required. The app is compatible with Phones with Bluetooth® low energy (LE) capability running on iOS® Version 15 or newer, and Google Mobile Services (GMS) certified Android™ devices supporting Bluetooth® 4.2 and Android OS 8.0 and newer.

Note: The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. iPhone is a trademark of Apple Inc. Android is a trademark of Google LLC. iOS® is a registered trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc.

Contents

• Quick overview
• Installing myPhonak
• Setting up and managing an account with myPhonak
• Pairing with Phonak hearing aids
• Troubleshooting the pairing
• Home - Remote Control view
• Home - Remote Control advanced settings
• Remote Control advanced settings - Troubleshooting
• Health Data Tracking in the Health Section: Setting Up
• Devices
• Support & Remote Support session
• Starting a Remote Support session
• Troubleshooting during Remote Support session
• Important safety information
• Compliance information and Symbol explanation

Quick Overview

Remote Control

The Remote Control view allows users to manage their hearing aids. Key elements include:

• Current program in use: Displays the active program (e.g., Automatic, TV, Music).
• Program carousel: Allows switching between different sound programs.
• Battery state: Shows the battery level of the hearing aids (for rechargeable models).
• Volume adjustment: A slider to increase or decrease the volume for both hearing aids simultaneously, or individually if split.
• Split the volume: An icon to adjust the volume of each hearing aid independently.
• Mute/Unmute: A button to silence the hearing aids.
• Adjust program: Access to advanced sound settings.
• Navigation bar: Icons for Home, Health, Devices, Support, and Profile.

Remote Support

The Remote Support feature enables virtual consultations with hearing care professionals. Key elements include:

• Hearing aid connection: Indicates the connection status of the hearing aids.
• Hearing care professional's video: Displays the video feed from the professional.
• Your video: Displays the user's video feed.
• Call controls: Options to mute/unmute microphone, disable video, switch camera, and end the call.
• Flip camera view: Switches between front and rear cameras.
• Video on/off: Toggles the user's video feed.
• End call: Terminates the remote support session.
• Microphone on/off: Controls the audio input.

Installing myPhonak

To install the myPhonak app:

• Connect your smartphone to the internet via WiFi or cellular data.
• Turn on your smartphone's Bluetooth®.

App Download and Setup:

• Download myPhonak: Download the app from your device's app store.
• Open the app: Upon first opening, you can take a tour or skip it.
• Privacy policy: Read and accept the Privacy Notice and Terms & Conditions to proceed.
• Product improvement: Optionally share usage and health data to help improve products. Your data is processed securely and anonymously.

Setting Up and Managing an Account with myPhonak

Creating a myPhonak account is optional but required for accessing health features. It provides a secure place to store health data and insights.

Account Creation

You can create an account using your email ID or mobile phone number.

Profile Section

In the Profile screen, you can edit your personal information, adjust health preferences, and sign out.

Personal Details

Edit your personal information and security settings. The option to delete your account is available here, requiring password confirmation.

For troubleshooting account issues, visit: https://product-support.phonak.com/

Pairing with Phonak Hearing Aids

To connect your Bluetooth® enabled hearing aids:

1. Tap 'Let's get started' in the app.
2. The app searches for compatible hearing aids. Detected devices will be displayed.
3. Tap on the desired device to connect.
4. The app connects to each hearing aid separately. On iOS devices, confirm pairing via a popup.
5. Stay Connected: Optionally enable this to keep hearing aids connected to the app without frequent reconnection.
6. Additional Functions: Optionally enable hearing aid controls for calls and streaming.

If hearing aids do not respond, check range, battery, and proximity to potential interference sources.

Troubleshooting the Pairing

Common pairing issues and solutions:

• Incompatible devices: If devices are not compatible, contact your hearing care professional.
• Hearing aid connection error: If pairing fails for one aid, tap 'Try again' to restart.
• Connection fails to both: Tap 'Try again' and follow instructions.
• Location services (Android): Enable location services for initial Bluetooth pairing. This can be disabled later.

For more troubleshooting, visit: https://www.phonak.com/myphonakapp

Home - Remote Control View

This view offers functionalities for all hearing aids:

• Adjust hearing aid volume: Use the slider to control volume for one or both hearing aids.
• Split the volume: Adjust each hearing aid's volume independently.
• Mute: Silence the hearing aid(s).
• Accessing programs: Swipe through the program carousel to select and activate sound programs created by you or your hearing care professional, or the automatic program.

Additional Settings:

• Tinnitus noiser: If your hearing aids support this feature and you have tinnitus, you can adjust the masking noise volume.
• Ambient balance: Adjust the mix between streamed audio (e.g., from a TV Connector) and environmental sounds.
• Battery level: View the charge status for rechargeable hearing aids. A red icon indicates low battery (below 20%).

Note: Feature availability and specific settings depend on your hearing aid model and programming. Consult your hearing care professional for details.

Home - Remote Control Advanced Settings

This section allows for fine-tuning of sound programs:

• Adjust program: Access advanced sound settings for the selected program.
• Program settings: Adjust parameters like volume, noise reduction, speech focus, and dynamics using sliders.
• Equalizer presets: Quickly adjust sound pitch with pre-set options (e.g., Default, Comfort, Clarity).
• Adjusting sound pitch: Use sliders for detailed control over bass, middle, and treble frequencies. Press 'Close' to return to settings.

Creating or Updating Programs

You can save personalized adjustments as a new program or update an existing one.

• Tap 'Update' to modify the current program or 'Save as new' to create a new one.
• Naming: Give your custom program a name (max 22 characters, no whitespaces). An alert appears if the name is invalid or already used.
• Program saved: A confirmation message indicates the program has been added to your list. Press 'Done' to return to the home screen.

Note: Program customization is available only in specific hearing aids.

Remote Control Advanced Settings - Troubleshooting

Program Limit Reached:

• Max same base program: You can save up to four programs based on the same base program. If the limit is reached, you can manage existing programs to replace one.
• Max program number: You can save up to ten personalized programs in total. If the limit is reached, you can manage existing programs to replace one.

The 'Manage' option allows you to select programs to replace when the limit is reached.

Health Data Tracking in the Health Section: Setting Up

Some health features are available only with specific hearing aids. For more information, visit https://www.phonak.com.

Setup Process:

• Sign up: Access health features by signing up with your myPhonak account.
• Enable location services: Allow location access for improved data synchronization quality. Sonova does not store or track your location.
• Create your Health profile: Enter your age, gender, height, and weight for accurate health data calculation.
• Enter Health: Access the health dashboard after setup.
• Edit/Clear Health profile: Your health profile data can be updated or cleared via the Profile section.

Note: Health data is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Health Dashboard

The Health Dashboard provides an overview of your health data:

• Access health functions: View wearing time, steps, heart rate, and calories burned, with live updates.
• Goal progress: Track progress towards set activity goals.
• Health tips: Access recommendations for other health apps.

Connection to Hearing Aids: Ensure your hearing aids are connected for live data updates. Frequent synchronization improves accuracy.

Goal Progress Examples: Progress is shown in a green circle around feature icons. Exceeding a goal adds a second circle.

Note: Consult a physician before starting exercise programs. Ensure ear pieces are correctly inserted for accurate heart rate tracking.

Health Detailed Feature Views

Wearing Time, Steps, Activity Levels, Distance

View detailed graphs for:

• Wearing Time: Daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly views showing time spent wearing hearing aids, including breakdown by sound environment (Calm, Noisy, Music, Streaming).
• Steps, Activity Levels, and Distance: Daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly graphs showing steps taken, approximate distance walked/ran, and activity levels (no, low, medium, high movement).

Goals: Set daily goals for wearing time and steps. View current and weekly average data. Tooltips on graphs display exact values.

Note: Data availability depends on specific hearing aids.

Health Detailed Feature Views – Heart Rate and Calories

View detailed data for:

• Heart Rate (HR): Includes live HR, resting heart rate (RHR), and hourly ranges. Views can be daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly. Information on heart rate variability and factors influencing it is provided.
• Calories: Tracks active calories (from physical activity) and passive calories (basal metabolic rate). Total calories are also displayed. Views can be daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly.

Note: Heart rate tracking requires correct ear piece insertion and stillness for best results. Consult a physician for health-related questions.

Health - Other Functionalities

Setting, Changing, and Removing Goals

Goals for steps and wearing time can be set, changed, or removed via the health setup, dashboard, or detailed views. Enter a valid number and tap 'Set goal' or 'Remove goal'.

Tooltips

Click on graph bars to see exact values displayed in a tooltip.

Synchronize your Phonak health data with Apple Health

In the Profile section, navigate to 'Health data sync' to enable synchronization of selected health data with Apple Health. You can manage sharing permissions in your device's privacy settings.

Devices

The Devices section provides access to all hearing aid-related functions:

• Devices Home Screen: View hearing aid models, software versions, and Roger licenses.
• Forget devices: Remove paired hearing aids. Re-pairing is required to use the app again.
• Program Management: View, edit, or delete hearing aid programs (automatic, professional-created, personalized). Programs available on the hearing aid's push button are indicated by an icon.
• Hearing Aid Programs: Edit program names and view their link to base programs.
• Connection Management: Activate 'Stay connected' for continuous app-to-hearing aid connection.
• Fitting Session: Temporarily disconnect hearing aids during in-person fitting appointments.
• Device Settings: Access Bluetooth phone calls, streaming setup, tap control, auto-on, and cleaning reminders.

Support & Remote Support Session

The Support screen provides access to:

• FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions.
• User Guide: Access the full user guide.
• How-to-videos: Learn how to use the app.
• Legal settings and feedback.

Remote Support

To use Remote Support:

• Schedule an appointment with your hearing care professional.
• At the appointment time, press 'Start Remote Support'.
• Ensure internet connectivity (WiFi recommended) and charged hearing aids/phone.
• Grant microphone and camera access when prompted.

During the session, you can manage microphone and camera settings.

FAQ link: https://product-support.phonak.com/

Starting a Remote Support Session

The app guides you through the remote session:

• Accept video call: The app connects you to the professional. Wait for them to join.
• Ongoing call: View the professional's video, hear them, and use controls to mute/unmute, disable video, switch camera, or end the call.
• Connected hearing aids: The professional can remotely connect to your hearing aids via your smartphone.
• End of call: After the call, rate your experience. Press 'Done' to return to the main screen.

Note: Using WiFi is recommended to avoid data charges and ensure better video quality.

Troubleshooting during Remote Support Session

Common issues and solutions:

• Wi-Fi connection: WiFi is recommended for better quality and to avoid data charges.
• Hearing aids connection lost: If hearing aids disconnect, the connection symbol turns red. The professional will need to reconnect them.
• Call failed: If the call fails, press 'OK' to return to the home screen and restart the call.
• Ending the call while running: A confirmation message appears if you attempt to end the call prematurely, warning that settings changes might be lost.

Important Safety Information

Intended Use

The app is software for hearing aid users to select, configure, and save settings, and to connect with hearing care professionals for remote adjustments.

Intended Patient Population

Patients with unilateral/bilateral, mild to profound hearing loss (from 17 years of age). Tinnitus feature for chronic tinnitus (from 18 years of age).

Intended User

Person with hearing loss using a compatible device.

Indications

Based on compatible hearing aids:

• Presence of hearing loss (uni- or bilateral, conductive, sensorineural, mixed, mild to profound).
• Presence of chronic tinnitus (for applicable devices).

Contraindications

Based on compatible hearing aids:

• Hearing loss outside the fitting range of the hearing aid.
• Acute tinnitus.
• Ear deformity (closed ear canal, absence of auricle).
• Neural hearing loss (retro-cochlear pathologies).

Referral Criteria

Referral to a medical specialist is recommended for:

• Visible congenital or traumatic ear deformity.
• History of active ear drainage (past 90 days).
• History of sudden/progressive hearing loss (past 90 days).
• Acute or chronic dizziness.
• Audiometric air-bone gap ≥ 15 dB at 500, 1000, 2000 Hz.
• Visible cerumen accumulation or foreign body in the ear canal.
• Pain or discomfort in the ear.
• Abnormal ear appearance (inflammation, perforated eardrum).

Referral may not be appropriate if the condition is fully treated, stable, or if the patient declines medical opinion after informed consent.

Clinical Benefits

The app allows users to adjust and save hearing aid settings and communicate with hearing care professionals for remote adjustments.

Side Effects

Side effects are related to hearing aids, not the app. Potential effects include tinnitus, dizziness, wax buildup, pressure, sweating, blisters, itching, rashes, plugged/fullness sensation, headache, or ear pain. These may be resolved or reduced by a hearing care professional. Conventional hearing aids may expose users to higher sound levels, potentially causing threshold shifts.

Limitations of Use

App usage is limited by device capabilities. Serious incidents should be reported to the manufacturer and competent authorities. A serious incident is defined as one that could lead to death, serious health deterioration, or a public health threat.

User Guide Access

User guides are accessible via the Phonak website (https://www.phonak.com/en-int/global-locations) by navigating to Support > User Guides > Apps > myPhonak app. The guide can also be accessed directly from the app's Support section.

Security Notice

Protect patient data by keeping smartphones and the app updated, using strong passwords, enabling device locks, and granting minimal app permissions. Avoid Bluetooth pairing in public areas. Do not use jailbroken or rooted phones. Secure data backups and remove data from disposed devices.

Software Maintenance

Feedback on app issues can be provided via the Appstore or Google Play Store. Caution: Changing settings like volume or noise cancellation can lead to dangers, such as not hearing traffic.

Compliance Information

Europe: Declaration of Conformity

Sonova AG declares that this product meets the requirements of the Medical Devices Regulation (EU) 2017/745.

Symbol Explanation

• ⓘ (Information symbol): Indicates important user information in the guide.
• ⚠ (Warning symbol): Highlights important warning notices.
• CE 0459: Confirms compliance with the Medical Devices Regulation (EU) 2017/745. The number indicates the notified body.
• EC REP: Indicates the Authorized representative in the European Community.
• MD: Indicates the device is a medical device.
• Name, address, date: Symbol for medical device manufacturer and date of manufacture.
• REF: Indicates the manufacturer's catalogue number.
• [i] (Electronic instructions): Indicates electronic instructions are available at www.phonak.com/myphonakapp.

Contact and Legal Information

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.

Version: V7.00/2024-07/ZT © 2021-2024 Sonova AG. All rights reserved.

This user guide applies to myPhonak 6.8.0 and later versions. For prior versions, contact your local representative or consult the website.

A free paper copy of the instructions can be obtained by contacting a local Sonova representative.