The New Apple OTC Hearing Aids are Excellent!
I’ve recently had a very positive experience trialing the new Apple hearing aids which I would like to share. These are just the existing Apple AirPods Pro 2 that now, with the latest IOS update, enable a hearing aid feature. These function at the level of other over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, like Sony, Sennheiser and Jabra, but are considerably less expensive. They are currently on sale at Amazon for $190 (regularly $250). Other high-end brands of OTC hearing aids cost between $800 and $1500.
OTC Hearing Aids
OTC hearing aids have been available since 2022, when congress passed a federal law allowing their sale. OTC hearing aids are intended for mild to moderate hearing loss, which is the most common level of hearing loss. The cost ranges from about $200 to $1500 and, until the Apple upgrade, you got what you paid for in sound quality and reliability. The important thing to know is that OTC hearing aids are equivalent quality to those purchased through an audiologist at the much higher cost of $3000 to $10,000 ( $5000 to $7000 on average).
My Experience
Like most of my patients and students, I have mild to moderate high-frequency hearing loss. My experience with the Apple units has been very positive and compares favorably to my trial of $7000 hearing aids recently purchased through an audiologist (and later returned). The amplification and sound quality is excellent.
Apple hearing aids have the added feature of enhancing media playback to conform to my hearing loss, which has greatly enhanced my music listening experience.
They are not designed to be worn through the entire day, but only as needed, which is fine for me.
So, their use as I see it, includes:
To experiment with high quality hearing aids at an exceptionally low price. If you decide you’d like to graduate to a true hearing aid model (OTCs sold by Sony, Sennheiser, Jabra), you'll still have a highly usable pair of AirPods.
Enhance listening experience of media playback (this alone, for me, is worth the price)
Provide very effective, as-need hearing aids