US Consumers Can Now Use Apple's AirPods Pro 3 as Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids for $249
When I was diagnosed with moderate high-frequency hearing loss after years of exposure in war zones, I had no idea how expensive the solution would be - $7,000 to be exact. But then I found a compromise at Costco: Jabra's Enhance Pro 20s for $1,600. After a month of acclimating to digital processing, they finally sounded normal.
Today, there's another option: Apple's AirPods Pro 3. For just $249, these wireless earbuds promise to help the nearly 30 million Americans who need hearing assistance but are not using any due to cost or stigma. With FDA approval for use as over-the-counter hearing aids in September 2024, this new version boasts even better sound quality.
I was lucky enough to receive a pair of AirPods Pro 3 from my friend and test their performance in real life. To do so, I had to either complete a 10-minute self-test or upload the results of a professional audiogram performed by an audiologist - something I just completed 18 months ago.
The iPhone test conducted in my quiet home office nailed the pattern but softened the severity, measuring my loss at 33-34dBHL (decibels hearing level) average. While it's not as good as calibrated equipment, I found the results to be "pretty darn good". Dr David Zapala, president of the American Academy of Audiology, agreed, stating that AirPods Pro 3 are significantly better than earlier iterations and other devices.
When switching between my professional audiogram and Apple's self-generated profile for a full day, I noticed some differences. The iPhone settings made sibilants slightly muddier, while conversations remained clear. My partner didn't seem to notice whether I was hearing her any differently regardless of which devices I used.
Sound quality remains the primary concern when using AirPods Pro 3 as hearing aids. They sound crisp and clear but feature a digital sheen that never quite disappeared. In contrast, Jabra's Enhance Pro 20s can manage overlapping conversations well but struggle with amplifying the wrong voice or creating confusing audio soup.
Battery life is another crucial aspect to consider when using AirPods Pro 3 as hearing aids. While they last around 10 hours on a single charge, you can get an additional three hours from a quick 15-minute charge-up. This is not ideal but may be sufficient for occasional use.
The occlusion effect - that annoying muffled sound that happens when your ear canal is blocked - affects both devices differently. Jabra's Enhance Pro 20s don't fully close the ear, allowing outside sounds to blend in with amplified voice and conversation. In contrast, AirPods Pro 3 seal the ear canal, potentially causing voices and other noises to sound unnaturally loud.
Cost remains a significant factor for those considering AirPods Pro 3 as an alternative to traditional hearing aids. With no professional support available, users are left relying on Apple's algorithms and trial-and-error methods to fine-tune their amplification. In contrast, Jabra's Enhance Pro 20s come with three years of unlimited adjustments, cleanings, and support.
So who should consider using AirPods Pro 3? Those with mild to moderate hearing loss, situational rather than all-day assistance needs, and existing iPhone or AirPods users are good candidates. If you're unsure about your situation or the effectiveness of AirPods Pro 3, try them out before investing in more expensive options.
Ultimately, while AirPods Pro 3 aren't perfect hearing aids, they represent an excellent first step for Americans with untreated hearing loss at a significantly reduced cost.
When I was diagnosed with moderate high-frequency hearing loss after years of exposure in war zones, I had no idea how expensive the solution would be - $7,000 to be exact. But then I found a compromise at Costco: Jabra's Enhance Pro 20s for $1,600. After a month of acclimating to digital processing, they finally sounded normal.
Today, there's another option: Apple's AirPods Pro 3. For just $249, these wireless earbuds promise to help the nearly 30 million Americans who need hearing assistance but are not using any due to cost or stigma. With FDA approval for use as over-the-counter hearing aids in September 2024, this new version boasts even better sound quality.
I was lucky enough to receive a pair of AirPods Pro 3 from my friend and test their performance in real life. To do so, I had to either complete a 10-minute self-test or upload the results of a professional audiogram performed by an audiologist - something I just completed 18 months ago.
The iPhone test conducted in my quiet home office nailed the pattern but softened the severity, measuring my loss at 33-34dBHL (decibels hearing level) average. While it's not as good as calibrated equipment, I found the results to be "pretty darn good". Dr David Zapala, president of the American Academy of Audiology, agreed, stating that AirPods Pro 3 are significantly better than earlier iterations and other devices.
When switching between my professional audiogram and Apple's self-generated profile for a full day, I noticed some differences. The iPhone settings made sibilants slightly muddier, while conversations remained clear. My partner didn't seem to notice whether I was hearing her any differently regardless of which devices I used.
Sound quality remains the primary concern when using AirPods Pro 3 as hearing aids. They sound crisp and clear but feature a digital sheen that never quite disappeared. In contrast, Jabra's Enhance Pro 20s can manage overlapping conversations well but struggle with amplifying the wrong voice or creating confusing audio soup.
Battery life is another crucial aspect to consider when using AirPods Pro 3 as hearing aids. While they last around 10 hours on a single charge, you can get an additional three hours from a quick 15-minute charge-up. This is not ideal but may be sufficient for occasional use.
The occlusion effect - that annoying muffled sound that happens when your ear canal is blocked - affects both devices differently. Jabra's Enhance Pro 20s don't fully close the ear, allowing outside sounds to blend in with amplified voice and conversation. In contrast, AirPods Pro 3 seal the ear canal, potentially causing voices and other noises to sound unnaturally loud.
Cost remains a significant factor for those considering AirPods Pro 3 as an alternative to traditional hearing aids. With no professional support available, users are left relying on Apple's algorithms and trial-and-error methods to fine-tune their amplification. In contrast, Jabra's Enhance Pro 20s come with three years of unlimited adjustments, cleanings, and support.
So who should consider using AirPods Pro 3? Those with mild to moderate hearing loss, situational rather than all-day assistance needs, and existing iPhone or AirPods users are good candidates. If you're unsure about your situation or the effectiveness of AirPods Pro 3, try them out before investing in more expensive options.
Ultimately, while AirPods Pro 3 aren't perfect hearing aids, they represent an excellent first step for Americans with untreated hearing loss at a significantly reduced cost.
i mean i got my jabra earbuds for 1600 and its not that bad... i'm glad they're getting approved though, some ppl might have no idea what's going on w/ their hearing 
anyway, does it really work for war zone vets like u??
$249 is literally a game changer compared to the $7k price tag of some other solutions! I love that it's available over-the-counter and doesn't require any professional support, just Apple's algorithms 
. The sound quality is supposed to be amazing too, crisp and clear with no digital sheen 
. My only concern would be if someone's hearing loss is super severe or complex (like in the writer's case) then they might not get the same results as someone with milder loss... but for people with mild to moderate hearing loss, this could be a total lifesaver!!! 
Apple's doing us all a solid by making these affordable hearing aids 
! It's crazy to think that 30 million people in the US are struggling due to cost. I've heard horror stories about those $7,000 hearing aids... this is a game-changer! 
I'm curious to try them out myself - does anyone know if they'll be available on Apple's website for purchase? 
And how do you guys think this will change the way we approach hearing loss in the US? 
. The fact that you can get these cutting-edge AirPods Pro 3 for $249 is just crazy 
. The fact that they're already getting FDA approval for over-the-counter use is huge 
. And I love that Apple's algorithm can help fine-tune amplification (even if it does mean relying on trial-and-error methods).
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! Apple making AirPods Pro 3 affordable as over-the-counter hearing aids is like, a total game-changer 
. I mean, $7k was a huge price tag for me when I got my diagnosis too... but now it's like $249? That's insane! 
For people who can't afford traditional hearing aids or are hesitant to use them due to stigma, this is like a breath of fresh air 
.
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! Just don't expect it to replace professional audiograms or anything... 
... but what does it say about our society that we've had to wait this long for something like AirPods Pro 3? It's almost as if we're saying, "Okay, now that it's affordable, we can start thinking about hearing loss." 
. These AirPods Pro 3 really do seem to be doing the trick, and I'm all about that sound quality 
... it's crisp and clear but still has a bit of that digital sheen. Not perfect, but way better than those other options I've tried 
, but at least they're not too short to last the day. Anyone who's got mild to moderate hearing loss and is looking for a more affordable option should definitely check these out 
!
. $249 is still pricey but compared to the thousands Apple was asking last year it's like night and day 
. I've seen so many people who can't afford hearing aids or are too embarrassed to get them, now there's hope 
. It's also super convenient that they come with an iPhone test, makes getting a fitting way more accessible 
. I'm all for people trying these out before committing to anything else 
!
. It's great that they're more affordable, but what if users don't take care of them properly or don't follow the guidance correctly? Will it lead to further complications down the line? 
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. However, for those with mild to moderate hearing loss and situational needs, AirPods Pro 3 could be an excellent starting point 
.
I also love how they're trying to normalize using these as hearing aids, making it less stigmatized. My aunt has hearing loss and she's always been hesitant to get help because of that stigma... this could be a game-changer for her. 