Apple just dropped all the details on its new lineup of phones, watches and headphones — but, to me, the biggest news is the FDA-approved Apple AirPods hearing aid feature.
Why? Only one in six Americans with hearing loss wears hearing aids. Such a shame. Most folks don’t realize how far the tech has come, that insurance will usually cover the costs and what an impact hearing aids can make in their daily life.
Let’s take a closer look, and I’ll share my trusted pick if your hearing loss is more than mild.
Hearing is so very important
To use your Apple AirPods as hearing aids, you’ll need:
- AirPods Pro 2 earbuds: The only model numbers that work are A2931, A2699, A2698, A3047, A3048 and A3049. To find yours, go to Settings > Bluetooth. Find your AirPods in the list (e.g., “Kim’s AirPods”). Tap the More Info button next to your AirPods.
- An iOS 18-compatible iPhone or iPad: Scroll to the very bottom of this page to see the list.
Once you’ve updated your device to iOS 18, you can take a hearing test there. Your AirPods will adjust based on your results.
Know the different levels of hearing loss
Apple’s new AirPods feature is only good for folks with mild to moderate hearing impairment. Here are the common levels of hearing loss, in decibels (dB):
- Normal hearing (0 to 25 dB): You can hear pretty much everything just fine, from soft whispers to loud noises. Everyday conversations are clear, even in noisy places.
- Mild hearing loss (26 to 40 dB): You have trouble hearing soft sounds like whispers or distant conversations, especially when there’s background noise.
- Moderate hearing loss (41 to 55 dB): You ask people to repeat themselves or speak louder. Soft sounds, like a ticking clock or birds chirping, are hard to catch. You struggle in group conversations or noisy environments.
- Moderately severe hearing loss (56 to 70 dB): It’s difficult to keep up with conversations unless people talk loudly. Quiet or moderate noise, like normal speaking voices, might sound like murmurs to you, and you can’t hear soft noises like a fan or rustling leaves.
- Severe hearing loss (71 to 90 dB): You likely won’t hear anything unless it’s really loud, like shouting or a car horn. Everyday conversations are almost impossible to follow. Quiet sounds are completely out of reach.
- Profound hearing loss (91 dB and above): At this point, you can only hear very loud noises, like a truck passing by or fireworks. Speech is difficult to understand.
What if hearing issues are more than mild for you or someone you love? I’ve done the research and found a solution you can trust: hear.com’s Horizon IX hearing aids are a total game-changer.
Not your grandparents’ hearing aids
The Horizon IX hearing aids from hear.com include two state-of-the-art computer chips for the clearest result possible. They process speech and background noise independently, then recombine them for crystal-clear sound. Yes, the tech nerd in me thinks this is so cool.
They’re more like earbuds than old-school hearing aids, really.
- The Horizon IX hearing aids connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth.
- You can take calls, listen to podcasts and stream music right through your hearing aids.
- They don’t look like the bulky hearing aids you might be picturing. They’re designed to be stealthy and hide in or behind your ear.
I checked out the tech and the company
hear.com has an A+ BBB rating and a 4.9 out of 5 rating with Consumer Affairs. With insurance, flexible financing options and a 100% money-back guarantee, getting great hearing aids from hear.com has never been easier. Get a free hearing evaluation now from a doctor.
Research shows untreated hearing loss increases the risk of social isolation, depression, cognitive decline and frailty. The impact is so powerful, using hearing aids could lead to a longer life. See if you qualify for a 45-day no-risk trial of the Horizon IX hearing aids right now.
💛 Do your loved ones a favor and share this if there’s someone in your life who could use it. FYI, I don’t get any residuals or kickbacks when you buy. I’ve seen how big a difference the right hearing aids can make with folks in my life, and I want that for you, too!
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
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