A hearing assistive system comprises a personal communication device (10) and a head-worn device (20. The personal communication device (10) has a user interface (12) being adapted for user interaction, a processor (11) controlling the user interface (12) and being adapted to run an application program, a short-range radio (13), and an output transducer (15). The head-worn device (20) has an input transducer (24) adapted for converting sound into an electric signal applied to a processor (21) outputting a modified audio signal via an output transducer (25). The application program being adapted to generate and output a data packet (70) on an audio carrier via the output transducer (15). The head-worn device (20) comprises an audio signaling block (26) for detecting and decoding the data packet (70) received by the input transducer (24). The head-worn device (20) comprises a controller (27) for controlling the operation of a short-range radio (28). The audio signaling block (26) is adapted to detect a radio control command included in the data packet (70), and to instruct the controller (27) to control the short-range radio (28), accordingly.