It’s great that this is coming to the Pro 2s. They could have easily said you needed a new model because of hardware incompatibilities or something.
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Apple Gets FDA Authorization for AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Aid Feature
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As a deaf man I am VERY excited about this.
Not everyone. Just those who pay the big bucks Apple charges for everything they sell.
I will disagree. I wear hearing aids. I find them convenient because I can hear things I would not normally hear. I can also take phone calls, stream music. The hearing aids are barely noticeable. I find them more comfortable than AirPods as the hearing aids have a custom fitted ear mold.
By contrast the AirPods are noticeable. If a person is wearing AirPods are they listening to the speaker, or listening to music?
My hearing aids last 18+ hours on a charge. AirPods maybe 6 hours. I don't want to have to remove my hearing device every 6 hours and wait 30 minutes for a charge. Thus I would argue that hearing aids are more convenient.
The real advantage to AirPods is the cost over expensive hearing aids. For the cost of my hearing aids I could purchase 24 AirPods. Big difference.
Another advantage to AirPods is the frequency curve is applied across all uses, hearing, music, phone calls.
As to devasting to the market. Time will tell. I seriously hopes this drops the price of hearing aids down to under $1K.
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There's a free "Mimi Hearing Test" app that you can use to check your hearing. Additionally, if you have hearing issues, you can use it to set your iPhone's equalizer settings to better hear music/media. (Being able to use audiograph data for the EQ is one of the iPhone's/iPad's big hidden secrets.)
The new hearing aid functionality is for "light to moderate" hearing loss. Would your 70-80% hearing loss be considered, "moderate"? (Sorry, I have no idea.)
I imagine it's similar to the current specs: up to 6 hours. So, if you want to use the Pros as all-day hearing aids, you'll need to get a second pair and swap back-and-forth while case-recharging (this is still much cheaper than regular hearing aids).
On the other hand, regular hearing aids can last for days. Additionally, you can supposedly wear some to bed (Pros will likely fall out if you did that).
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I believe Apple said in the presentation that it needed an iPad or iPhone. So you’re good.
*glances at how much hearing aids cost*
Yeah, Apple sure is gouging folks for their products.
This is great news for middle-aged people like myself who have lost some hearing. I don't expect them to be as good as $7,000 dollar hearing aids, but they don't need to be, they just need to be good and helpful. I'm excited for this.
People who need hearing aids need them all the time.
This concept seems to me like it is for those who don't really need hearing aids yet. The cost seems okay for all the do already.
This concept seems to me like it is for those who don't really need hearing aids yet. The cost seems okay for all the do already.
I would totally love to be on an audiologist forum right now.
"THE SKY IS FALLING!!!"
Reality is they are going to boom in business because people will find out they have hearing loss ;D
"THE SKY IS FALLING!!!"
Reality is they are going to boom in business because people will find out they have hearing loss ;D
Aw come on now, do you expect Apple to give them away? My father is 80 years old and recently paid $7k for hearing aids. I think most folks will see $200-$250 for AP2 as at least worth trying, if you don't have severe hearing loss.
You maybe should redirect your attack towards the companies that make hearing aids.
Just FYI - this means you can likely* use FSA/HSA funds from your insurance to purchase them.
Are Hearing Aids FSA Eligible? - GoodRx
Yes, hearing aids are FSA eligible. You can also use FSA or HSA money for other costs relating to hearing aids, such as batteries and equipment.www.goodrx.com
*YMMV.
It also means you should be able to use FSA/HSA money to buy iPhones and Apple Watches as well. FSA -> use it or lose it.
Edit: I wonder if this is the first step towards getting Apple's stuff getting approved for Medicare/Medicaid/private insurance.
I have issues with hearing in environments where many people are talking, especially since my wife has a soft voice. I think AP2's as hearing aids in that type of environment could be very beneficial for me.
The company that "can't innovate anymore" is turning earbuds into hearing aids with a software update.
Say what you will - Tim has his people doing incredible work. In my eyes, this was the most important announcement of the entire event.
Say what you will - Tim has his people doing incredible work. In my eyes, this was the most important announcement of the entire event.
Not just a social experiment:
” It is illegal to have a headset on while driving or biking, according to California Vehicle Code 27400. “A person operating a motor vehicle or bicycle may not wear a headset covering, earplugs in or earphones covering, resting on, or inserted in both ears,” the code states.”
I will second that. The rest of the announcements were generally mundane, incremental improvements. This announcement, which received little coverage in the Apple event, is probably the most significant of every think Apple announced. Maybe even so when including several past events. This will be a game changer for a lot of people.
I wear hearing aids and the music played through the AirPods is somewhat muffled due to high frequency hearing loss. Being able to have the equalization applied across all uses of the AirPods, phone calls, streaming music, people talking, will be absolutely awesome.
Hah, Blackberry never hear the bell told for them either… 😉
Hearing Aid Makers Shares Slip After Apple Air Pods Release, but None Sound Alarms
European manufacturers feel some aftershocks from the product launch in Cupertino, but analysts don't hear the bell tolling for them.www.inc.com
There's no stigma wearing AirPods all day, and by contrast no one wants to wear hearing aids. This could be devastating for the market.
It is known that AP4 noise cancelation is twice less effective than APP2.
Hearing aid mode significantly boosts output volume, so microphones would go into buzz loop, if output sound not properly contained inside the ear.
IMHO, rubber ear tips are essential.
There are a couple of apps that create the hearing profile that iOS uses. I used Mimi Hearing Test, but I'm sure there are others.
Ideally you'd have a compatible headphone, but it works without it as well.
I had APP2 charge depleted once in some long online meetings.
The hint here is to wear just a single one, while second is fast-charging.
When facing with moderate hearing loss, most people won’t spend time and money on complicated aid, while AirPods should provide great and flexible experience right over-the-counter.