If you have a pair of AirPods Pro 2, you already have a pair of OTC hearing aids. This is something Apple announced at the iPhone event and is set to release it to the public this week. If you happen to have the lates iOS 18.1 beta and a qualifying set of AirPods Pro, you can try it right now.
This feature could be a real game changer for the good of the people and the harm of audiologists and hearing aid companies. Strangely, this might be the biggest swing Apple has taken all year. Remember, this is also the year they launched a whole new platform. The Vision Pro is their first attempt at what they call spacial computing. And the significance of that device and platform pales in comparison to the potential of AirPods turned hearing aids. Here are a few things you need to know before diving in:
Free upgrade
If you have the right set of AirPods, the software that performs the transformation is a free upgrade. You already paid upwards of $249 for the AirPods Pro. To turn them into hearing aids, it will cost you nothing at all. If you have priced out hearing aids lately, you know they can easily run up to and past the $6,000 range.
That said, figuring out which AirPods you need can be a little confusing. The only new AirPods Apple introduced this year are AirPods 4. That represents a major upgrade to the standard model. But those do not qualify for the upgrade. You might have a pair of 1st generation AirPods Pro. Again, those do not qualify. Just before the Vision Pro was released this year, Apple did a somewhat quiet refresh of AirPods Pro that gave it, among other things, USB-C. It also gained the ability to playback lossless audio when used with Vision Pro. It was not a compelling upgrade for those who already had the original AirPods Pro.
At the iPhone event, they officially called the AirPods Pro with USB-C by the new name: AirPods Pro 2. If your AirPods Pro charges with USB-C and was not the 1st generation, you already have what you need.
Moderate hearing loss
Most people never go to the audiologist even after it is clear that they probably should. This feature provides a clinical-grade hearing test that can be done privately. No one need know the results of your test. If you do have mild to moderate hearing loss, this feature will automatically adjust everything you hear through AirPods Pro 2 to accomodate your hearing. Things should instantly sound louder and clearer.
If your hearing loss is severe, you will need to see an audiologist to discuss solutions that are right for you. Apple is not offering a medical device for those with severe hearing loss. The app will clearly tell you about your hearing loss. If you find that Apple’s tweeks to the sound profile is sufficient, you saved yourself $6,000. Otherwise, you have been armed with the information you need for taking the next step.
Conclusion: Buying advice
If you are in the market for earphones as high as $250 and often as low as $180, AirPods Pro 2 is the way to go. If you know you have some hearing loss but are not ready for hearing aids, AirPods Pro 2 is the way to go. If you have any other premium earphones, including the first generation of AirPods Pro and do not have any concerns about your hearing, this is not a worthwhile upgrade.
If the question is simply about the value proposition, I can say wholeheartedly that AirPods Pro 2 are absolutely worth the asking price. Just know that you can often find big savings at Best Buy and Amazon. Accessibility is for everyone. These might well be the most accessible earphones ever made.
David Johnson