As you begin your hearing loss journey, you’ll find that there are a lot of options for hearing devices. But which is the right option for you?
Alternatives to prescription hearing aids have gained popularity in recent years, most notably Apple® AirPods® Pro. Before you buy, learn more about how these headphones with a Hearing Aid feature compare to prescription hearing aids, like those from Miracle-Ear.
In 2022, FDA rule changes introduced the option of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids to the general public, offering access to hearing loss solutions at a lower cost but without the support of a hearing care professional (HCP). Tech giants have also joined the conversation about alternative hearing support options, with companies like Apple touting ways to use AirPods as hearing assistance devices.
In fact, in September 2024, the FDA authorized the use of AirPods as OTC hearing aids. According to an FDA press release from that month: “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the first over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid software device, Hearing Aid Feature, intended to be used with compatible versions of the Apple AirPods Pro headphones. Once installed and customized to the user’s hearing needs, the Hearing Aid Feature enables compatible versions of the AirPods Pro to serve as an OTC hearing aid, intended to amplify sounds for individuals 18 years or older with perceived mild to moderate hearing impairment.”
AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 devices give users access to a Hearing Test, a Hearing Aid feature, and active Hearing Protection when used with an iPhone or iPad. These and other AirPod models also offer a Live Listen audio feature.
Allowing you to take a hearing test from your own home, the AirPods Pro 2 and 3 Hearing Test offers results right on your phone. Your device’s Active Noise Cancellation feature, as well as the in-ear seal on the AirPods Pro, help create the conditions needed to conduct an accurate test. The test can be accessed through the AirPods settings on your iPhone or iPad, or through your device’s Health app. The AirPods hearing test uses pure-tone audiometry to play a series of tones to help determine your level of hearing loss. If your results show mild-to-moderate hearing loss in one or both ears, you’ll be prompted to set up the Hearing Aid feature.
AirPods Pro 2 and 3 can be used as OTC hearing aids if your hearing test shows that you have perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss. Your Apple Hearing Test results will tailor the Hearing Aid programming to your level of hearing loss, helping you hear voices and environmental sounds more clearly. The Conversation Boost feature within the Hearing Aid settings makes it easier to hear a person speaking in front of you, especially in loud environments. Computational audio settings will adjust your hearing settings as needed as your sound environment changes throughout the day. And the Media Assist feature bolsters the clarity of calls, music, and videos listened to via AirPods.
For those who don’t have perceptible hearing loss after taking the Hearing Test, there’s another feature that can help you hear better in noisy environments. Apple AirPods have a built-in feature called Live Listen® that uses your smartphone as a microphone to send the audio through your smartphone directly into your ears. Users can place their iPhone or iPad in front of the person they want to hear, turn on the Live Listen feature and have the voice of the speaker and surrounding sounds amplified while reducing some of the background noise. A display screen on the device provides real-time headphone audio and decibel levels to help monitor loud noises. By turning on Live Listen, AirPods offer you a quick fix if you’re having difficulty listening in a noisy environment.
Active Hearing Protection is a setting available on AirPods Pro 2 and 3. These settings help prevent exposure to loud environmental noises and the hearing or ear damage that can come with that exposure. The AirPods hearing protection feature essentially lowers the decibel level of the sounds in your environment. You can also turn on the active noise cancellation feature to block out environmental sounds altogether or simply adjust your exposure to environmental sounds through your AirPods’ Transparency and Adaptive modes.
Note: the Hearing Aid feature only works when your AirPods are in Transparency mode.
While many people with mild-to-moderate hearing loss appreciate the price point of Apple AirPods and the intuitive integration with iPhones, users also encounter challenges and limitations. To activate the Hearing Aid feature capabilities, users must first complete a hearing test using their AirPods and an iOS device—and even getting to the point of taking the test can be finicky. You need a very quiet environment in which to take the test (your device will let you know if there’s too much background noise and will prevent you from taking the hearing test until you’re in a quieter environment). You also need to get the fit just right with the earbud tips for the hearing test to begin. Some users report struggling with these preliminary settings to take the test.
While setup is as simple as the click of a button if the hearing test determines you have mild-to-moderate hearing loss (your hearing test results help your device calibrate to your hearing needs), users aren’t able to manually adjust settings to account for a loud environment, such as a restaurant or theater. Like all OTC hearing aids, all this is “self-service” since you don’t have an HCP to help you customize your settings and fit.
Join the millions of Americans who have trusted Miracle-Ear for hearing care that’s tailored to their needs.
Here are five things to consider to understand the differences between AirPods and prescription hearing aids:
Although AirPods Pro come with five sizes of silicone ear tips, they’re certainly not customized. While the earbud may fit into your ear, it isn’t built to the specific contours of your ears. This can lead to discomfort when wearing the device for long periods of time.
Prescription hearing aids, on the other hand, can be custom-molded to fit into your ear canal or to sit comfortably behind your ear, allowing you to wear your devices all day long. Custom molding and general advice on what type of hearing aid may be best for your needs should come from a licensed HCP.
AirPod batteries are rechargeable and can be charged simply by putting them back into their case. But full charge only offers up to 10 hours of listening time using the Hearing Aid feature, so they can’t be used continually for a whole day and simply recharged overnight.
Meanwhile, prescription hearing aid batteries come in two options: rechargeable or disposable. Rechargeable hearing aids provide up to 24 hours of use on a single charge and can be charged overnight. Disposable hearing aid batteries are designed specifically for your hearing aid type and power devices, anywhere from five to 14 days if you’re wearing your hearing aids for a 16-hour day.
While the Hearing Aid feature on AirPods Pro is FDA-regulated OTC hearing aids, they are only designed to help those with perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss. They can’t effectively treat more severe and profound hearing loss. And while the settings are customized based on hearing test results, there are limitations to that customization.
As for prescription hearing aids, once your HCP has tested your hearing, they will program your hearing aids to allow you to hear comfortably and confidently for both your hearing loss and lifestyle needs. These programs can also be adjusted if your hearing loss needs change.
The Hearing Test feature on AirPods Pro 2 & 3 is something you do on your own, at home, or in a different quiet environment. While it has a simple user interface and scientifically validated results, it is different from a professional hearing test.
A professional hearing test, like those offered for free at Miracle-Ear, is conducted by an audiologist or licensed HCP. But before a professional even begins conducting a hearing test, they’ll first take a complete health history and inspect your ear canals. During the hearing test, you’ll not only experience the pure-tone audiometry test that AirPods use, but your HCP will also conduct a speech discrimination test, which measures a person’s ability to hear and understand speech in both quiet and noisy environments.
Once your hearing test is complete, your HCP will review your results with you, give you context around what kind of hearing loss you’re experiencing, and offer tailored suggestions for hearing aids that can best help you. If you purchase hearing aids, they’ll help custom-fit your devices and program them to your specific hearing and lifestyle needs. If you ever have a problem with your device or settings, you can come back to any Miracle-Ear store for free follow-up care and adjustments.
The Hearing Test and Hearing Aid features available on AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Pro 2 are regulated health features that require approval and will be offered after authorization is received. Feature availability varies by region.
Choosing which hearing aids are best for you can feel like a daunting process, but the hearing care professionals at Miracle-Ear are here to help. If you notice any early hearing loss symptoms, schedule your free appointment with a professional at your local Miracle-Ear. By catching the signs of hearing loss early, you can take the first steps toward finding a solution that gives you the tools, support, and confidence to hear better.
Apple, the Apple logo, AirPods, iPad, iPhone, and Live Listen are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.
Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.
Learn how tomorrow's hearing aids can help you today
