https://www.weau.com/2024/11/14/apple-airpods-pro-double-hearing-aids/
Apple AirPods Pro to double as hearing aids
By Alani Claudio Published: Nov. 14, 2024
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU)
Apple AirPods Pro have doubled as a hearing aid to give people worldwide a better chance to hear what goes on in their day to day lives.
Okie Allen, a hearing instrument specialist in at Beltone Hearing Aid Center in Eau Claire, says why they’re a great help.
“The Apple AirPods are kind of exciting, it’s a new development in hearing technology. But it’s the amplification in the AirPod is limited.” Okie Allen said.
And the noise cancelling feature is more common for those hard of hearing.
“Noise cancelling is available in all hearing aids. So if there’s a loud noise, and that’s part of the testing that we do to find out what levels people are uncomfortable with sound so we set the hearing aids to never exceed that level.” he said.
He also says the AirPods are not for people with severe hearing loss.
“I’d recommend it if they want to play with it, fine. Because it’s something new but it does not replace a hearing aid for a moderate to severe hearing loss.” he said.
But to remind everyone that , “It’s for mild to moderate hearing losses, it does not fit everybody.” he said.
Not even for patients like himself.
“With the Apple headphones and my hearing loss being as severe as it is, I would not benefit from those, cause they’re just not strong enough for my hearing loss.” Allen said.
However, for those that can be helped with the AirPods, he says that even though there are many to choose from, many people can’t tell what they’re being used for nowadays.
“So with apple introducing this it kind of eliminates the stigma of you know alright is this just a regular pod in the ear or is it a hearing aid device.” he said.
And continues saying that if you’re not sure if your hearing loss is moderate or severe, “That’s why it’s so important to have a hearing test, and see what your baseline hearing levels are, have your ears checked. Make sure there’s no wax in your ear canals.” he said.