https://9to5mac.com/2024/09/09/airpods-pro-2-adds-clinical-grade-hearing-aid-feature/
Apple has announced some new hearing health related features, coming as a software update for AirPods Pro 2. This includes...
As a hearing aid wearer myself, I would question the validity of this as a viable alternative to real hearing aids for moderate to severe loss.
Of course many people with hearing loss will use these instead of getting professionally tested and fitted.
FTA:
The hearing aid feature is currently making its way through the FDA and other regulatory bodies.
They’re not just winging it and pretending it’s good enough
Yes, and I seriously doubt this is for moderate to severe loss. Most aids for that category get custom molds of the ear canal. Very likely this is about getting approval for the hearing test and subsequent audio curves.
I thought a hearing aid would correct audio from the curves generated by a clinical hearing test, just like the Airpods Pro are trying to do. After a quick search, it seems like even the smallest earbud hearing aids can handle mild to severe hearing loss. I get that it might not be the best solution for severe to profound hearing loss, but for less severe cases, the Airpods could be a good option for many people who haven’t been treated or even tested for hearing loss.
I totally agree with everything you said here. I just cannot imagine wearing ear buds for 15-18 hours straight every day as a solution for my hearing loss. I almost don't even notice my aids in my ears anymore.
PSA: Take care of your ears everyone, hearing loss sucks big time.