When Apple introduced the Live Listen feature for its AirPod earbud series in 2018, users noticed how it could amplify hearing in noisy environments — almost like a hearing aid. With the upcoming release of its Hearing Aid Feature software, it seems the company took note.
AirPods as Hearing Aids
A free software update turns Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 into clinical-grade hearing aids. After taking a hearing health test on their smartphone, sound levels are adjusted to a user’s specific needs based on their results so that the earbuds can improve their listening experience of both media and the world around them.
Access to an at-home, hearing-health experience — complete with a hearing test — comes as easy as a free software update with Apple’s latest generation of wireless Bluetooth earbuds, the AirPods Pro 2.
Can You Use AirPods as Hearing Aids?
As it turns out, yes; in September 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially authorized the first over-the-counter hearing aid software to be featured in Apple’s AirPods Pro 2.
Thanks to its Hearing Aid Feature, this latest generation of the wireless bluetooth earbuds have become the first consumer wearables that can function as hearing aids without a prescription. And, at a retail price of $249, this opens up an accessible option for millions of hard-of-hearing people above the age of 18.
Comparatively, medical-grade hearing aids range in price from $2,000 to $6,000 on average, and are usually not covered by insurance. The fact that favorable results have been reported by the FDA’s clinical study, which featured more than one hundred subjects with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss, as well as other research, means that AirPods Pro 2 could be a viable alternative for individuals who normally find soft sounds and regular-volume conversation unintelligible.
Apple’s hearing health software drops at a time where hearing loss is on the rise in the United States and expected to double by 2060. According to the National Council on Aging, auditory impairments affect nearly 29 million Americans, whose quality of life would improve with the use of a hearing aid. Unfortunately, only about one in seven people with auditory impairments seek treatment because of factors such as affordability and social stigmas.
What Changed Between AirPods Pro 1 and Pro 2?
The AirPods Pro 2 can act as a hearing aid due to their new H2 chip. It comes with all the perks of the H1 chip that debuted with the Pro 1 — such as pairing speed, lower latency and power efficiency — and then some. Most notably, the H2 audio-system-on-a-chip features new-and-improved active noise canceling that runs computational algorithms to detect and remove unwanted noise at a rate twice as effective as the Pro 1 model.
Additional features of the AirPods Pro 2 include:
- Live Listen: Once paired with an iPhone or iPad, Live Listen enables the device to act as a remote microphone that can pick up nearby sounds and transmit them to a user’s AirPods.
- Conversation Boost: This feature amplifies the voice of the person speaking directly in front of you, assisting hard-of-hearing users with clarity in conversations, especially in noisy environments.
- Adaptive Transparency Mode: This setting reduces the intensity of loud, disruptive noises — like nearby construction or sirens — while still allowing background sounds to come through so users can stay alert while catching up on their podcasts.
- Hearing Test: Integrated with iOS, users can take a five-minute hearing test through their iPhone. Based on the results, the software adjusts the AirPods sound output to match a user’s specific hearing needs.
- Spatial Audio with Dynamic Head Tracking: This feature enables users to perceive the direction of sounds in a more natural way, improving spatial awareness and sound localization.
How to Use AirPods as Hearing Aids
Setting up your AirPods Pro 2 to function as hearing aids can take as little as five minutes, following these steps.
1. Pair AirPods With iPhone
First, pair your AirPod Pro 2 device to an iPhone or iPad. Acting as a control center, the smart device allows you to customize your hearing profile and supplies the necessary software and processing power to get started.
2. Take a Hearing Test, Upload Your Audiogram
Next, upload your hearing test results. To do this, you may sync an existing audiogram from previous health records or complete a five-minute, pure-tone hearing assessment through Apple’s Health app or the Mimi app.
3. Enable Hearing Accessibility Features
Go into your ‘Settings’ and find the ‘Accessibility’ menu. Here, you’ll select ‘AirPods’ > ‘Audio accessibility settings’ > ‘Headphone accommodations’ > and ‘Tune audio for audiogram.’
4. Customize Transparency Mode
Transparency mode allows you to hear and interact with your surroundings while still wearing the earbuds, playing ambient sounds back at balanced volumes so you can remain aware of your surroundings. It comes with the default settings, but won’t be turned up enough to assist you with hearing. To adjust this configuration, you need to click ‘Settings’ > ‘Accessibility’ > ‘Audio/Visual’ > ‘Headphone Accommodations’ > then scroll down and select ‘Transparency Mode’ at the bottom of the menu. From there, you can toggle the volume, change the left, right balance and reduce ambient sound.
Limitations of AirPods as Hearing Aids
While Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 provides a way for users to engage with their hearing health, a mass-marketed product for the general public can only do so much. Below are some of the setbacks users may run into when applying AirPods as hearing aids.
Limited Hearing Range
Studies have shown that Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 earbuds can only help those with mild to moderate hearing loss. A deficit beyond 56 decibels, the volume of a regular conversation, however, would require professional intervention from an audiologist or hearing specialist to properly evaluate and prescribe treatment.
Not Comfortable for All-Day Wear
While Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 come with four pairs of silicone tips and a setting that adjusts sound based on the shape of a user’s ear, they are not made for extended wear. Prescription hearing aids, meanwhile, are often molded to the patient’s ear canal, then fine-tuned to the user’s hearing needs and preferences, minimizing sound leakage and optimizing sound quality. With that being said, comfort is subjective, and some users may prefer Apple’s lightweight, sleek earbuds.
Short Battery Life
Apple’s AirPod Pro 2 earbuds can last up to six hours on a single charge. Although this is an upgrade from previous iterations, it pales in comparison to medical-grade hearing aids, which can last anywhere from three to 20 days, depending on the battery type.
Social Dynamics
In public, people often wear headphones as an indicator that they want to be left alone, so wearing AirPods as a hearing aid may unintentionally deter others from socially engaging with an earbud wearer.
Not Customized
No matter how advanced Apple’s tech may be, a mass-market design doesn’t offer the same level of fine tuning as a tailor-made device molded out of someone’s personal metrics based on comprehensive audiometric testing and fit by a specialist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use AirPods as hearing aids?
Yes; Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 are an FDA-authorized hearing aid software device for those with mild to moderate auditory impairment.
How much do Apple hearing aids cost?
The AirPods Pro 2, which come with software-enabled hearing aid capabilities, retail for $249.
Are earbuds as good as hearing aids?
While AirPods are no substitute for medical-grade devices, it really depends on the user’s auditory needs. Some studies have shown that AirPods perform as good as over-the-counter hearing aids and certain professional-grade devices in assisting those with mild to moderate hearing loss; however, for those hard of hearing beyond the 56 decibel range, a prescription is the way to go.
