How can Apple TV share audio with hearing impaired family member?
Apple TV audio sharing for hearing-impaired users
Posted on Nov 8, 2026 6:31 AM
How can Apple TV share audio with hearing impaired family member?
Posted on Nov 8, 2026 6:31 AM
Nov 8, 2026 8:05 AM in response to BorisNC1701
The solution I use (not with Apple TV, just regular TV) is to connect a TV streamer device, to send the TV Optical Audio through that to my Hearing Aids, in addition to the built-in TV Audio system.
I use the GN resound TV Streamer 2 connected to the Optical output of the TV, and that does NOT cut off the TV speakers when connected.
The TV streamer is then paired with the Hearing Aids and an additional sound source (does not replace the iPhone connection) and can be optionally enabled using the Hearing Aid makers software on the iPhone.
looks like this when active:
note that the Audio connection is directly from the Streamer to the Hearing Aids. The Audio does not go thought the iPhone, even though on/off volume is controlled by the iPhone.
Nov 8, 2026 6:38 AM in response to BorisNC1701
As far as I can tell, this is currently impossible: Apple TV has no accommodation for a hearing-impaired family member watching alongside everyone else. If you route audio to AirPods or other headphones, it cuts off the speakers for the rest of the family. It won’t even let you pair Apple’s own headphones with Apple’s own HomePod speakers at the same time.
I know there are third-party workarounds using Bluetooth transmitters and similar setups, but it seems hard to believe that Apple, a company known for its accessibility features, hasn’t addressed this. Simultaneous output to headphones and speakers would make a real difference for families like mine.
Has anyone found a solution within the Apple ecosystem, or does anyone know if Apple has plans to support this?
Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256390789