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 hearing aids have gained popularity in recent years, but some of these technologies, like Apple® AirPods®, aren’t a replacement for hearing aids. Products like Apple AirPods® are consumer devices that are not meant to hearing loss or regulated by the FDA as a medical device. Learn more about how these personal sounds amplification products (PSAPs) compare to hearing aids before you buy.
The definition of hearing loss is when a person struggles to hear at the same level as a person with normal hearing or at a hearing threshold of 20 decibels or better. About 15% of American adults experience some degree of hearing difficulty. Hearing loss has multiple causes, and some of them might add up simultaneously, including lifestyle, age or medication. Common causes of hearing loss include:
Hearing loss is categorized as mild, moderate, severe, or profound and different levels of severity affect how you hear high-, middle- and low-frequency noises. Common hearing loss symptoms include:
There are three primary types of hearing aids. The kind that’s right for you depends on your lifestyle and the severity of your hearing loss, but all are built with technology designed to provide natural sound and fit comfortably.
If you notice signs of hearing loss, schedule an appointment to test your hearing. Your hearing care provider will be able to determine your level of hearing loss and advise you on choosing a hearing aid.
Despite the technology and features available in today’s hearing aids, some people with hearing loss still feel hesitant to wear them, whether it’s due to feelings of embarrassment or concerns about cost. So, it’s common to be curious about other options.
Recent FDA rule changes have 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. 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.
Specifically, 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 for loud noises. By turning on Live Listen, AirPods offer you a quick fix if you’re having difficulty listening in a noisy environment.
While the possibility of using a product you might already own to address your hearing is tempting, it’s important to remember that AirPods are not hearing aids regulated by the FDA. They are consumer electronic products, intended for individuals with normal hearing to enhance sounds in certain environments, such as for listening to music. Consumer electronics are not intended to compensate for hearing loss. Therefore, using AirPods as hearing aid replacements is not recommended. For users needing real, substantive tools to address their condition, AirPods simply do not have the power, functions, or specialized technology to properly manage hearing loss.
To understand the differences between AirPods and hearing aids, it’s important to understand the differences between hearing aids and consumer devices. Here are four things to consider before turning to AirPods as a hearing loss solution:
AirPods are consumer products that are not regulated by FDA as a medical device to treat hearing loss. They are meant for individuals with normal hearing and used to enhance sound such as music.
Hearing aids, are medical devices that are regulated by the FDA for safety and effectiveness in treating hearing loss.
AirPods are one-size-fits-all, meaning that 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.
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 be from a licensed hearing care professional.
AirPod batteries can recharge with a cable, but a full charge only offers five to six hours of listening time. Plus, it can take up to an hour to fully charge the earbuds, potentially leaving you in a pinch when you need them immediately.
Meanwhile, 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.
AirPods are technically considered PSAPs (personal sound amplification products), meaning they are simple devices that amplify all sounds in an environment for the wearer. PSAPs are also not FDA-regulated to address hearing loss. Volume is not regulated in the devices, meaning that the volume levels could potentially do more harm than good.
By comparison, hearing aids are FDA-regulated as medical devices for hearing loss and are customized to address the user’s specific hearing loss. Volume is carefully monitored and programmed by your hearing care professional for safe use.
While Live Listen can block out some background noise, it isn’t perfect, and the devices don’t offer features like programming for specific environments or tools to address underlying hearing loss. This technology is only useful to support people with mild hearing loss, not for those with more severe conditions.
As for hearing aids, once your hearing care professional has tested your hearing, they will program your hearing aids to allow you to hear comfortably and confidently for your lifestyle needs. These programs can also be adjusted if your hearing loss needs should change.
For some with hearing loss, using AirPods they already own can seem like an attractive solution to better connect to loved ones. When used in the right settings, these devices’ noise-canceling and audio transparency technology can be effective in helping you hear more clearly. However, AirPods are not regulated medical devices intended to treat individuals with hearing loss. In the context of medical-grade hearing care, AirPods should only be considered as a support tool and only for certain uses. In short, AirPods should not be considered full hearing aid replacements to treat hearing loss.
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.
