Question optical TOS-link out to Bluetooth hearing aid transmitter

[Tonyw97007]

Here is our issue: we use a Bluetooth transmitter with some of our hearing aids. Whenever we connect a device to the HDMI ARC output, it seems to disable the optical output. We are using a Hisense 75U8H Google TV. Despite contacting Hisense multiple times, we have not received a clear solution. Is this an issue with Google TV, Hisense, or something else? Unfortunately, setting up various TVs in stores to test this isn't feasible, as I have already attempted.

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[zuninm]

It may be that the TV prioritizes the ARC output when something is connected to that port. Fighting a similar battle ourselves. I would love to use Dolby ATMOS but it requires the eARC. Unfortunately, my wife needs hear aids so that isn't possible. Wish TV makers would allow multiple outputs for audio. Right now we are using the optical output to an optical splitter. One side goes to the hearing aid transmitter and the other to a Bluetooth transmitter. I use the Bluetooth to connect the sound bar. I could get a soundbar with an optical in but that still won't allow the Dolby ATMOS. If you go to your audio settings with something attached to the ARC port can you set your audio to optical output? If you do does it cut the audio to the ARC port?

 

[Tonyw97007]

What I am hoping is for places like "tom's guide" to test/check tv's for this ability as they get/have many different sets. Everyone I know that has hearing aids and try to use them with an EARC output has the same problem. Why!

Ideal would be the Optical & or headphones output to be independent and turned on/off in the setup regardless of Earc output. Having them mute as well when speakers are muted would be great..