Apple AirPods Pro 2 Detailed OTC Hearing Aid Review

[@rherteux]

I will add that for the many people who already own the APP2 Pro these are effectively FREE hearing aides. I didn't get much benefit from them as hearing aides previously but I noticed a huge improvement with this new update. When I wear them at night watching TV and talking to my wife I find that I can have the TV volume much lower and she doesn't have to repeat herself nearly as much so this is a blessing for both of us. What I don't like is that it amplifies all other noises, so I really have to use them in a quiet environment. And I hate when it amplifies sharp sounds like silverware on plates or metal hitting metal, it's like nails on chalkboard for me. I know I can turn down high frequencies but then I don't hear the TV as well. If I want to wear my APP2 out working in the yard for example, I have to turn off the hearing aide feature, otherwise the amplification of all the other noises is just too much. Overall, I'm very pleased with the results.

[@DrCliffAuD]

@@rherteux all good points. It has some utility for some quiet situations but not good for most situations outside of controlled quiet environments.

[@BobbieGWhiz]

@@rherteux I assume you’ve tried ambient noise reduction? In terms of sharp sounds, I find those fade over time as you adapt to the hearing aids.

[@lauramaeda7214]

I am in the process of upgrading my Apple equipment in order to get iOS 18.1 . My current Apple products are very old and i could gain many features by upgrading my equipment. I have checked both my manufacturer’s hearing aids compatibility charts to make sure all my devices play well with each other. I am currently trying to find a wireless carrier package to upgrade all my Apple devices at once. I would be interested it setting up AirPods as backup devices and maybe to use instead at times for streaming services. The previous AirPods hearing feature worked ok in some situations prior to being fit with prescription devices.

[@Thetimecapsuletx]

Will they work with iPads?

[@simonplmondon1234]

Yes

[@DrCliffAuD]

Yes

[@crazyedswonderfulworldofso9370]

Canada has now approved the hearing aid and hearing test features for the Apple AirPods Pro 2. Health Canada issued the necessary licenses in December 2024, allowing Apple to roll out these features in the country. The launch is expected with upcoming iOS updates, possibly iOS 18.3 in early 2025. Apple usually follows a predictable pattern for its software releases. Given that iOS 18.2 was launched to the Canadian public in early December 2024, we can expect iOS 18.3 to be released approximately 6-8 weeks later.

[@poturbg8698]

I have mild hearing loss (measured by the older Mimi app and again with the new Apple app). After running the test, I found the sound quality of voices to be thin and unpleasant.

[@DrCliffAuD]

Yeah, not great.

[@BobbieGWhiz]

@@poturbg8698 I had the same experience with my first set of prescription hearing aids. In my experience, that sensation fades over time.

[@BobbieGWhiz]

Just curious why you redownloaded this. Were there any changes made?

[@DrCliffAuD]

I had a pre-release unlisted video with the tutorial set up video. This got posted as a public video this morning with a few additional edits.

[@dhansen888]

Thanks. This is really helpful. What I'm hearing (pun intended) is that if you've got the money (insurance or otherwise) and medium or worse hearing loss, then you'll still want RX hearing aids. There is, however, a class of customer that was not going to get an RX hearing aid in the first place. This could be very good for those customers.

[@dhansen888]

The third class of customers, those who buy $250 airpods and then get them properly calibrated by a professional, well, that is an intriguing case. If the calibration is inexpensive enough, then it might find a sweet spot in which a user saves a ton on the cost of the device while getting most of the benefits. Having said that, it sounds like even properly calibrated these devices are still in the low-end of hearing aid quality.

[@TheDarkSnaffle]

Thank you for this review. I now know not to buy these as hearing aids, and will get some more prescription ones when it comes time to upgrade them. Very useful video.

[@mmlips]

I own Eargo 6 and I actually can hear better using the iPod Air Pro 2. But the occlusion is bad.

[@TheSmithguitars]

IME APP2 sound good, music sounded better than my widex moment 440's, but the power was sorely lacking. No GEQ in iOS makes them less functional for my purposes. The reason I returned mine was that they never got a proper seal on my ears--I guess I am speciaL.

[@TheQuebecerInFrance]

Streaming wise, they absolutely destroy any hearing aids on the market. The audiogram feature is awesome for that. And that incredible noise cancelling is just icing on the cake. I just would not use them as hearing aids.

[@thadsgudenuff]

The silicone tips that come with the AirPod pro 2 generally work acceptably for general listening but there are much better ones available from different vendors. Two companies that have exceptional reputation are SpinFit and Comply. I’d suggest anyone who hasn’t gotten acceptable fit with the AirPod pro 2 to at least investigate alternative ear tips before giving up or returning the AirPods.

[@eddieweaver6999]

They only work in certain counties. Not in most European countries.

[@dcjohnson2208]

Please don’t waste my valuable time by repeating yourself. If I want to hear something again I’ll watch your video again.

[@DrCliffAuD]

Your comment makes no sense

[@TheQuebecerInFrance]

There is no other review he has done with the new apple air pods pro 2 feature.

[@dcjohnson2208]

@@DrCliffAuDwithin this video you say as I said before, then you repeat yourself.

[@DrCliffAuD]

@@dcjohnson2208 tough crowd. I briefly mentioned a capability, but didn't explain it earlier in the video. For the video to be comprehensive, I needed to actually explain the feature where it made contextual sense to do so.

[@michaelfleming1765]

Damn, dude… So salty about something so trivial. Do you need a clinic on how to FF through a YT video?