Apple AirPodsPro Now Act As OTC Hearing Aids
Category: Medicare
October 24, 2024 — If you think you might have a hearing problem (or more likely, if a family member says you do), you should get your hearing tested. Now that some models are available over the counter, hearing aids are becoming more affordable. One easy way to test your hearing and get an inexpensive hearing device is coming later this month from Apple. The AirPods 2 will provide an over-the-counter hearing aid for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss, once a free software update slated for October 28 is installed.
The AirPods 2 are among the latest versions of Apple’s popular earbuds. Not only do they work great (your editor loves his) for listening to books, music, podcasts, phone calls, etc., but later this month, they will also function as hearing aids.
Comments on "Apple AirPodsPro Now Act As OTC Hearing Aids"
Admin says:
Here is an update on my experience with the new Hearing Aid feature of the Airpods Pro update. Bottom line: not so great, so far. First of all, you have to have the latest software version on your iPhone. After the update, you need to turn the phone on and off. With your Airpods on go to Settings and look for Airpods near the top. Click on that and check Hearing Assistance. That will get you into the hearing test, and was as far as I got after almost an hour of trying. First of all, it didn't like the fit I was getting. Even after changing the size of the eartips several times it still told me the fit was no good. A couple of times I got through that and took the test, which takes about 15 minutes. The first time I went through that it told me there was too much background noise. Second time it was "inclusive". So, after all that, I am not able to try the feature. Some reviewers think the new tool is good, others not so much.
Mike says:
A study by the National Institute of Health found :
Hearing aids reduced the rate of cognitive decline in older adults at high risk of dementia by almost 50% over a three-year period.
Treating hearing loss may be a safe way to lower the risk of dementia in vulnerable populations.