New hearing aid feature on Apple AirPods Pro

It is still unclear whether the changed rule has helped, experts say. But turning AirPods into hearing aids is the kind of creative move proponents had hoped for. Here’s what you need to know about hearing loss, hearing aids, and Apple’s new option.

About 15% of Americans report some hearing problems. Most people with hearing loss are over 60 years old, but hearing problems don’t just affect the elderly. One study found that men and people living in rural areas are more likely to experience hearing loss.

And it has been linked to many health effects beyond the ear. It contributes to isolation, depression and cognitive decline, experts say. It increases the risk of dementia and rewires the brain. It is also associated with an increased risk of falls – a major health problem among older adults.

“Everything we do and all our relationships, whether personal or in our work, involves hearing conversations,” says Barbara Kelley, executive director of the Hearing Loss Association of America. “We are now discovering that the sooner people can start paying attention to their hearing health, the better.”

Before the 2022 rule change by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, everyone had to go to a doctor and get a hearing aid prescription to get one. Now they are available without.

“As more are sold, hopefully the price will come down,” said Elizabeth Stangl, an audiologist at the University of Iowa. “But we haven’t seen a big rush to get them.”

Even if you buy a decent hearing aid over the counter, it can easily run you $400 to $500, says Stangl, who studies how well people adapt to hearing aid use. And some of the cheaper options are really just ‘cheap amplifiers’, lacking the personal level settings and noise cancellation features that make hearing aids really useful.

The hearing aid feature is available on AirPods Pro 2 models and requires an iPhone or iPad to set up. It starts with built-in tests that allow users to determine if they have hearing loss, set the feature if so, and set personalized gain levels.

The headphones sell for $249 on Apple’s website, and sometimes less at other retailers.

While there are many other earbud-type devices that can function similarly, experts agreed that the addition of AirPods is a good one simply because of the way it can help normalize hearing aids.

“It’s just mainstream,” Kelley said. The ubiquity of AirPods could make people concerned about the appearance of hearing aids and more open to using them.

However, there may be some disadvantages. Fit and comfort during extended use can be an issue. And while other hearing aids are built to last a full day or more, Stangl says the AirPods’ battery life doesn’t allow for that. She also noted that wearing earplugs can send a message to others that the person does not want to be disturbed or spoken to.

“But we hope more people will try it and realize, ‘Yes, these do help,'” she said.

Stangl suggests that people do a lot of research before purchasing anything. She said Facebook and Reddit forums can be especially helpful in vetting devices. The websites Hearing Tracker and Soundly also have reliable reviews and resources for selecting a hearing aid, she said.

The Hearing Loss Association of America and the American Academy of Audiology have guides to purchasing a hearing aid on their websites. If you’re stuck, see an audiologist.

Look for devices that allow you to adjust different pitches. Most people with hearing loss have the hardest time hearing higher tones, so look for a device that can adjust the gain across different frequencies.

To avoid the piercing whistle of feedback, buy a device with a ‘feedback manager’. The fit is critical, but be careful: it doesn’t have to be the most comfortable at first, so take your time.

Pre-tax money stashed away in flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts can be used to purchase hearing aids, including those sold over the counter.

Does this mean you can score a new set of AirPods Pro2 with pre-tax money? Experts say it’s a gray area that hasn’t been tested yet, so be on the lookout. You may even need a certificate of medical necessity. Before you try it, it’s best to contact an accountant.

Even if you can’t afford the latest and greatest technology, your smartphone can be a tool to protect and improve your hearing.

Most phones can now convert speech to text, which can make conversations easier. iPhone’s ‘Live Listen’ feature turns your phone into an amplifying microphone that can beam your dinner party’s voice straight to your ear, even if you’re in a noisy restaurant.

There are also many apps and websites that can help beyond hearing aids. Some apps can vibrate your phone when an alarm goes off or the dog barks. The University of Iowa collects training resources through its Resource Center for Auditory Training. Free apps like the World Health Organization’s ‘hearWHO’ offer hearing tests, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s Sound Level Meter app lets you measure whether sound levels are dangerous.

“The majority of people own smartphones and don’t realize what their phones can do, including functioning as a good amplifier for people with mild to moderate hearing loss,” said Catherine Palmer, director of audiology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. and former president of the American Academy of Audiology. “This has made hearing care accessible to many.”

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