Apple AirPods Pro 2 Detailed OTC Hearing Aid Review

[@andyardo9490]

In my 4th week of trying to recover from SSNHL for the second time in 6 years. Have gained a good amount of hearing back from -80 to -60. These have absolutely keep me sane during this difficult time. I can have a sense of balance and no ear strain. I also have redone the hearing test as I have gained more frequencies and volume. I would be I. A bad place with out these. I borrowed a pair of MD over the counter aids and it’s not even close. These are amazing. Gives me hope!

[@robertaustin7493]

Thanks for the comparison. During my first two weeks of using Airpod Pro 2 as hearing aids, I find them as good as my Widex hearing aids and easier to use. Awesome at 1/20 the cost!

[@rljohn53]

I have been wearing hearing aids (Widex) for several years. I also have a pair of the AirPods Pro 2. I like using them at the gym while working out. I listen to podcasts when exercising. If someone comes up to talk, I switch off noise canceling and the hearing aid feature allows me to have a conversation easily.

[@heatherbrown1558]

I got mine for Christmas and love them. They sound like normal hearing should be. I love transparency mode. You can do so much. They fit in my ears good and I don't have to tinker with ear tips as much as my amplifiers from amazon. The sound is way better than my hearing amplifiers. Music sounds great and making calls people can hear me good and I can hear them. The price was good for Christmas. The only bad thing I will say is the battery life isn't good, but they charge fast and I just put them back in my ears. These are worth the money

[@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.

[@rickfreedom5899]

I have been using for 2 weeks. Amazing! Love them . I have moderate hearing loss diagnosed by an audiologist. They charge quickly after six hours of use which I appreciate having a break. Being retired I typically listen to podcasts most of the day. Features are awesome, and being an Apple product, they are flawless with use of the iPhone. Changed the earbuds with the Foam Master earbuds product. Perfect! A Happy Camper for $ 250.

[@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.

[@SonicSOGMC]

I have a reverse-slope loss in one ear and deaf in the other. Worn a hearing aid for 55 years. Latest is a BiCROS to wear one on the deaf side as a microphone. I often use AirPods when listening to music on my iPhone. Then bought the Apple AirPods Pro 2 to try out the hearing aid function. I like having the audio adjustments applied to streaming media. The extra base the prescription RIC hearing aids lack and I would like them better if they could do BiCROS.

[@billiejojoy5202]

I have uploaded a professional hearing test to my phone. What are the best settings for a large classroom setting so I can hear student's questions? What is the best setting for being with my family with lots of speakers and background noise? Will a professional audiologist help me tune my settings even though they are not selling me a device? THX

[@johncarter4273]

These are life-changing for me!!

[@jamescandelaria4840]

The product and its fantastic features are incredible but it is important to note that this feature of the product will only "act like a hearing aid" by amplifying sound which classifies it as a Personal Sound Amplification Product (PSAP). This is why it can be sold as an Over The Counter device as it is not to be construed as an FDA approved medical device.

[@intellectus2826]

Which microphones are used in Hearing Aid mode? AirPods' or Phone's?

[@robertvsnow]

Hearing Aid mode uses the AirPods Microphones with transparency mode. Live Listen uses the iPhones microphones allowing you to place the phone near what you want to hear, kind of like a baby monitor. If you take the hearing test, the sound going into your ear canals is going to be corrected for your hearing loss on phone calls, music, hearing aid mode or live listen. The hearing aid mode is kind of an afterthought with AirPods Pro 2 and though not supported, can be appoximated with the original AirPods Pro by manipulating certain settings. AirPods Pro 3 will be designed from the ground up to support hearing aid mode and that should make them much better, probably in the fall of 2025.

[@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.

[@bobbastian760]

Bro, he’s a hearing aids salesman, also he said they’re good

[@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.

[@jamie3388]

Where did you hear this from Ed?Do you or are you going to use this feature when it comes up here?I am thinking of getting these as they are cheaper then conventional hearing aids.

[@crazyedswonderfulworldofso9370]

​@@jamie3388 Hi Jamie! Unfortunately, I heard about the AirPods Pro 2s, and their Canadian approval, too late. I used artificial intelligence (AI) to find out about the Canadian Government approval after watching a KZbin video when I couldn’t see the hearing option on my settings for my AirPods Pro 2s and wondered why? I am sure Government approval to use them in Canada will be in place by the end of January. Fortunately, at the time, however, I had a friend who was using the Costco Enhance Pro Series 20 hearing aids. I had already booked a free hearing test with them. My friend has had several pairs of different brands of hearing aids over the years and he recommended these to me. He was very pleased with them. I purchased the Costco aids for $1999 (Canadian funds - no taxes). They have all the modern features like other aids, Bluetooth, etc. And with the Government rebate/subsidy ($1000 - Costco processes that for you) I found them very cheap At $999 out-of-pocket, compared to the other quotes I read about for the other brands. I have had them for two weeks now and am very satisfied with them. Besides Costco will give you a full money-back guarantee if you’re not happy with them. If you know anything about Costco, you will know they do not quibble about refunds. You can check the ratings for the Enhance Pros out online. You have to be a member of Costco to purchase. Costco membership is around $100. The problem with the AirPods Pro 2 is that they only last for six hours, so you would need two pairs, which almost add up to the cost of the Costco Enhance Pro Series 20s. Also, the Enhance Pros at Costco are virtually invisible and go all day without charging. With the AirPods, you could give the impression to others that you are listening to music rather than to them and I thought I would be forever explaining that I am using them as hearing aids. Hope this helps.

[@LosBabyBoomers]

On one part you say Canada has approved, on the other it seems you say won’t be available until 18.3. So is this available at this time?????

[@crazyedswonderfulworldofso9370]

@@LosBabyBoomers Apple won't issue special updates of their iOS simply to accommodate Canadian changes in regulation. They will roll this out with their next general update which will not contain the previous restrictions. This should occur by the end of January.

[@SCahoe]

I don't have a IPhone new enough to get the 18.1 update, can a 2024 IPad Mini be used instead

[@robincarr7065]

Shoukd be able to for sure

[@robincarr7065]

My husband loves them as hearing aids he can turn the TV down even lower than I usually do when he usually has it blasting to the back of the house lol and he hears me while just sitting talking and that NEVER hug happened..always had to tell him praise the TV and turn toward him.. Now he hates everything even the reason...but he's really having a difficult time hearing his own voice so much louder like stopped up ears.. Wondering if there's a way to help that at all... Overall it's awesome,,, he was already in love with the noise cancelation which totally blocked me out lol,.# now he can choose to actually hear me too

[@BobbieGWhiz]

Sure!

[@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.

[@BobbieGWhiz]

Why don’t you try calibrating them yourself. The only true calibration are the sliders for volume (go ahead and increase volume as needed) and darker or brighter frequencies are emphasized. Most people’s hearing loss are worse at the higher frequencies, so emphasize those significantly. Things will sound harsh initially, but after a while that will go away and you’ll be left with better hearing in the conversation frequencies. I might have just saved you hundreds of dollars in a professional fitting. Give it a try, nothing to lose.

[@robertvsnow]

I think AirPods Pro, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Max are superior to most Bluetooth hearing aids for consuming music and video content if you have mild to moderate hearing loss. That's what they were designed for. AirPods Pro can be used in a pinch as hearing aids with limitations. Great for making a transition from listening to content to having a conversation with an individual right in front of you. They also work wonderfully to protect your ears while listening to a live concert. Much better than passive ear plugs.

[@dhansen888]

@@BobbieGWhiz Thanks for the advice. I expect I'll be trying them out at sometime in the near future. In my case when I'm listening to music I'm almost always at my desk with sennheiser over-ear headphones, so it hasn't been an issue. I use my Phonak Audeo P90-RT's to help with tinnitus, and hearing conversations (hearing loss in the right ear). I fit into the first category, but I imagine I'll soon get a pair of Airpod Pro 2's to pair with my phone, and I'm excited to hear how well the hearing aid element compares to my P90-RT's

[@penningtonsm]

I constantly get chirping sounds when using them as hearing aids. Only way to get rid of it is to turn off transparency mode but then the AirPods don’t work as hearing aids anymore. They sound exactly like if i turned off hearing aid feature. Is there a fix for this?

[@DrCliffAuD]

Not that I'm aware of.

[@BobbieGWhiz]

When I get chirping, I tighten their fit in my ear. I believe it’s feedback when the AirPods loosen. Readjusting corrects the problem.

[@rexbarrick]

I’m getting a slight chirping sound, randomly mostly from the left ear. What is this trying to tell me? New user of the air pots. Wear behind the ears constantly for years. Mild to moderate hearing.

[@penningtonsm]

I’m getting the same sound. It’s annoying

[@BobbieGWhiz]

When I get chirping, I tighten their fit in my ear. I believe it’s feedback when the AirPods loosen. Readjusting corrects the problem.

[@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.

[@toppers65]

I have Apple Air Pods 2, but not Pro. Nonetheless I have been using my high line Signia Pure C&G T 7IX aids it seems to be making the TV audio more understandable. This is short because I suspect you know what I'm referring to about these Signia devices.

[@Brother-Luke]

Hello. Does this also work for the Airpod Max?

[@robertvsnow]

I have AirPods Max and the hearing test can be applied to them. I took the test with my AirPods Pros but I'm pretty sure you can take a hearing test with the Max. A professional audiogram can be applied as well. While the AirPods Max don't work as hearing aids, I listen to music and KZbin videos and they apply hearing correction and sound great. If you don't have hearing loss, they are not the best value proposition, but without hearing correction, even the best audiophile over-the-ear headphones are wasted on me. You can always use a graphic equalizer for correction, but it's not as accurate as using an audiogram.

[@hiac1]

@DrCliffAuD What if I have hearing loss only in one ear (L:5db, R: 45db). Is the any way do not amplify sounds in left AirPod. I set balance all to the right, but still have louder sounds in the left AirPod. It is really annoying and disturbing.

[@alanm.6096]

Funny as it may sound, we all know the stigma of wearing hearing aids (some old guy!). But if you can use these airpods as somewhat decent hearing aids, people will simply think you have them in your ears for listening to music, just like any young person always does. Of course it's a perception issue, but at least people won't see tubes coming from behind the ear to the canal. A subtle marketing message ! I can't wait to see where Apple takes this technology. The tip of the iceberg. I do wonder if audiologists will calibrate them...for a fee of course. They can certainly serve as a great back up to those who already have prescription aids. Lets hope Apple improves battery life for Pro 3. The future is now !

[@Thetimecapsuletx]

Will they work with iPads?

[@simonplmondon1234]

Yes

[@DrCliffAuD]

Yes

[@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.

[@mmlips]

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

[@robertvsnow]

I purchased Eargo 6 and they were just a little too large for my ear canals. Worked with someone at Eargo to cut and modify the petals, but the right one would pop out of my ear eventually and end up on the ground.

[@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.

[@BobbieGWhiz]

When I took the hearing test, I did not click for barely audible sounds (even though I heard them). That way, my audiogram appeared slightly worse than my actual hearing. This gave me a boost in volume, which was helpful to me.

[@halitosis2041]

Скажите, пожалуйста. Эти наушники будут выполнять функцию слухового аппарата, если их отключить от bluetooth?

[@BobbieGWhiz]

Yes. But he will need Bluetooth to set them up with your iPhone or iPad or if you want to tweak the settings in different listening conditions.

[@eddieweaver6999]

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

[@sassytbc7923]

Does that mean that if mine are3 set up and working in the US, they will stop working in the EU? OR Does it mean that you can’t set it up to work in the EU at all?

[@eddieweaver6999]

​@@sassytbc7923sorry not sure. Another chap on yt said that his would not work in France.

[@bobbastian760]

Hearing aid salesman says you still need to pay a hearing aid salesman for a test. Imagine my surprise 😂😂😂😂 You can’t make this s up.

[@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?