Solved! When I connect my hearing aids to my LG TV via Phonax TV connector using the Digital Optical Audio out socket - the TV speakers get cut out.

[frankieirishman]

Can anyone provide a solution to my audio problem. Connecting my hearing aids via my Phonak TV Connector - to LG TV via Digital Optical Audio Out socket - and the speakers of the TV cut out - I hear beautifully in my hearing aids - but nobody else in the room hears the TV audio.

 

[americanaudiophile]

Unless your TV allows the optical output to be active while the TV speakers are on your only option will be to split the optical output and connect a soundbar to one of the outputs and the Phonak transmitter to the other one.
On some Samsung TVs there is a quickset menu that will allow you to turn the TV speakers on while the optical output is active even though you can't set it that way in the audio menu itself.
I have always been annoyed that TV manufacturers limit the way TV audio works. I there is no reason they have to turn the TV speakers off. They just decide that you don't need both active at the same time.

 

[frankieirishman]

Unless your TV allows the optical output to be active while the TV speakers are on your only option will be to split the optical output and connect a soundbar to one of the outputs and the Phonak transmitter to the other one.
On some Samsung TVs there is a quickset menu that will allow you to turn the TV speakers on while the optical output is active even though you can't set it that way in the audio menu itself.
I have always been annoyed that TV manufacturers limit the way TV audio works. I there is no reason they have to turn the TV speakers off. They just decide that you don't need both active at the same time.

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This is really helpful - thanks - is there a specific type of splitter I should purchase - a quick look at Amazon shows a wide selection available - confusing :-(

 

[americanaudiophile]

This one is the cheapest and gets as good a rating as any other.
https://www.amazon.com/Conwork-Toslink-Digital-Optical-Splitter/dp/B0164670M4?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_2
Don't forget you will need two additional optical cables. One from the TV to the splitter and another from the splitter to the soundbar. Again cheap is fine.