Xperia 1V not passing sound to hearing aids

[TheCustomer]

I'm struggling to get Xperia 1V to pass call audio and stream music to my hearing aids
(Oticon mini rite)

The phone can do this - I've had it working after a series of pairing/unpairing/repairing. But I can't say what I did to get it working other than turn it on & off several times.
I then lost the ability when I'd connected by USB-C to a different sound output, my car, which was recognised as a headset.
The phone didn't revert to the previous working audio streaming setup after I disconnected from the car.

But it still detects and automatically connects to my hearing aids, and defaults calls to Bluetooth, which I then can't hear.
I've just switched from a Google Pixel, where the sound worked faultlessly, so stock Android 14 doesn't have these issues.

Any ideas on how to fix this?

What can I do to set 

[TheMaze]

Hey, did you try restarting your phone? removing all the already paired BT devices?

Also, make sure that your phone's software is up-to-date

[Caveman]

I'm having a similar issue. I've noticed that with a lot of other Bluetooth devices, whenever they reconnect to Bluetooth they work flawlessly, but with my oticon hearing aids I need to disconnect and reconnect (pair) them via the oticon ON app in order for Bluetooth to work properly; otherwise, they connect to Bluetooth but no sound plays through them. I'm confused as to why this is happening because with all my other android phones my hearing aids work perfectly fine after connecting to Bluetooth, and I never need to pair them with the phone again; if I turn my hearing aids off and on they'll just reconnect to Bluetooth and work the first time.

[SatoruGojo]

Hello, @Caveman, you can try to clear the BT application cache data, force stop, and test it in the safe mode as well: How do I enable and exit safe mode, and see if that makes a difference.

[TheCustomer]

Well at least I'm not alone in having this problem - the only bluetooth device to stream audio is my car. Other bluetooth devices connect, appear to pass audio from the phone to the bluetooth device, but with no sound output.

I don't think Sony want to fix this.

I've today had this reply from their "Support" team:

"With reference to your inquiry regarding your Sony Xperia 1 V, kindly note that since this is a non European unit, so it cannot be sent to our service center. Kindly check with the point of sale for further assistance."

er, um, what?

A) Welcome to the global economy, where people & kit move around
B) What impact has the purchase country on the issue? 
If it were a phone connectivity issue, I could see their point - but is bluetooth not a location agnostic function?

Hey ho... if this persists, I won't be buying Sony for a while.
That's a different brand game console when I come to replace mine.
A different brand projector when I upgrade to a laser device.
& the new phone I'll buy to replace the 1V won't be a Sony

[hehduda]

I've the same problems as mentioned above by @TheCustomer and @Caveman  with my Xperia 1 V (XQ-DQ54) , no phone calls, no sound while the aids (audioservice ite/itc 7) are paired with the device. The 1V is listet as supported on their website: audioservice 

BUT: Last wednesday I received the Sony Xperia 1 VI (XQ-EC54) and IT WORKS!!! Flawlessly out of the box. Paired the hearing aids started some music and i've got the music via the aids! Phone calls without problems!

So I'm courious: what/ where is the difference? Both devices are on Android 14 (stock Sony software, only debloated).

Is the Rom of the 1V that shi....y? Or what? I don't believe that the hardware is so much different.

End of rant.

I'd really appreciate an educated answer.

Thank you!

Andreas

[TheRealOG]

@hehduda Will I don't think there's a big difference in the hardware as you said, but I believe this is related to the software versions, the Xperia 1 VI might have the software customization with a better support for the hearing aid technologies. 

[hehduda]

@TheRealOG  and all!

Thank you for your answer, even though it took a long time.
If you read the IV manual, hearing aid support also works, but if problems arise, Sony support is unable or unwilling to help. 'It's a Sony' takes on a different meaning here.

Sony isn't exactly covering itself with glory here.

[TheCustomer]

um, having dropped over £1k on a V phone, which didn't work and came with no support, I'm not likely to drop another £1k+ on a VI phone, am I?

(and yes, you'd hope that the VI doesn't come with the same crippling fault that my V came with)

[TheCustomer]

Indeed, Sony's lack of support has directly led me to replace my Sony projector with a Samsung laser short throw model, and my phone with a Pixel 9 Pro.

Most businesses would've figured it would be better to support their customers rather than lose them. 
But not Sony.