I’m unsure whether this is the correct area of the Forum for this message, so please, hosts, move it or tell me where to place it if it’s out-of-place here. (Maybe it’s better in the area for non-Windows devices and OSs?)
This is heads-up for people who use assistive hearing devices (have a cochlear implant or use hearing aids) and are thinking of upgrading their Android phone. Be sure to check the compatibility lists of your hearing aid and cochlear implant sound processor manufacturers.
All prior Pixel phones had made the compatibility list of Cochlear Inc. for my current sound processor (Kanso 2) and the previous one (Kanso). It never occurred to me to check whether the Pixel 7 is going to work properly for phone streaming with these devices. Because some ReSound hearing aids are designed to work with Cochlear Inc. products, I’ve had that brand since I was implanted in 2016. GN-ReSound has stated since fall 2022/Android 12 that some of its hearing aids are having problems with Android, too.
My new Pixel 7 doesn’t want to play nicely with my 20-month-old Kanso 2 and my 18-month-old ReSound Enzo Q hearing aid (neither of which was covered by insurance). There are annoying and frequent work-arounds to get the devices and the phone to cooperate, and one can never tell when a phone call is going to suddenly sound garbled, right in the middle of it. Luckily, I’ve been severely to profoundly hearing impaired for so long, people know better than to call me just to talk, but one still has to make phone calls for business purposes.
So look before you buy!
