hands holding airpods

AirPods as AT: “Hearing Aid” Is Now an Earbud Feature

Remember last year’s blog post on “The New World of Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids”? For a long time, hearing aids required a doctor’s prescription and hundreds to thousands of dollars. And those dollars frequently came out of the user’s pocket, since Medicare and many private insurers failed to recognize mild-to-moderate hearing loss as a disability affecting overall quality of life.

That started to change in 2022, when the FDA legalized over-the-counter sales of non-prescription aids. And that didn’t just make things easier for “pure assistive” technology. Hearing-aid features are now starting to appear in “everyday” technology.

young adult female putting airpod in ear

The New AirPods Hearing Aid

(The following information is partly adapted from “Apple transforms AirPods Pro 2 into low-cost hearing aids,” by Kurt Knutsson.)

In September 2024, Apple announced its upcoming earbuds feature: built-in hearing-aid capacity with AirPods Pro 2. On September 12, the FDA officially cleared the feature as assistive technology.

“Hearing loss is a significant public health issue impacting millions of Americans. Over-the-counter hearing aid software on a widely used consumer audio product is another step that advances the availability, accessibility and acceptability of hearing support.” (Dr. Michelle Tarver, FDA representative)

FDA clinical studies found the new feature was safe and effective, according to “tests measuring levels of amplification in the ear canal, as well as a measure of speech understanding.”

The AirPods Hearing Aid comes with its own Hearing Test, also the ability to calculate real-time adjustments for the best individual hearing experience. The price is just $249.89—less than one-fourth the cost of a standard over-the-counter hearing aid.

Points of Note

  • As of this writing, “hearing aid” AirPods are still in the “Coming Soon” phase. Watch the Apple website for launch announcements and other updates.
  • IPhone users will need the latest software (iOS 18) to access hearing-aid features. Look under Settings–General–Software Update to see what OS your device is currently running. If you’re not yet on version 18, and don’t see where to download it, scroll to the bottom of the Software Update screen. If still no luck, ask an Apple representative or a Digital Navigator for help. Depending on your wireless connection, the download may take from 20 minutes to 2 hours.
  • AirPods can be used with Android devices. However, the hearing-aid feature is not currently guaranteed to work on Android.
  • The feature will run roughly 4–6 hours before the AirPods need recharging—something worth remembering if you’ll need hearing AT for long days in the field.
  • Like most over-the-counter hearing aids, the new AirPods feature is for users with mild to moderate hearing loss. People with severe hearing disabilities need prescription aids, or a different form of assistive technology: see a doctor for recommendations. And also see a doctor if you suspect any form of undiagnosed hearing loss. Get professional advice before you buy any OTC aid.  

Leave a Reply