(Credit: Apple)
Apple's AirPods Pro 2 have been on the market as FDA-approved hearing aids since September 2024, but those who have tried them say there's room for improvement.
Apple markets its $199 earbuds as an affordable solution for mild to moderate hearing loss when traditional hearing aids usually cost thousands of dollars. Is it too good to be true? We polled 23 seniors about their experience with the AirPods Pro 2. Most are over 65 and also have traditional hearing aids, so they are able to weigh the pros and cons of both.
"I suspect that in a few years, there will be an over-the-counter Apple solution that will seriously compete with the professional audiology business," one survey respondent says. But our seniors say the product isn't quite there yet, and they have some ideas about what Apple could do to bring the earphones closer to a true hearing aid replacement.
1. Increase the Battery Life
The AirPods Pro 2 last from around four to six hours before needing a recharge, which hearing aid wearers say is shorter than what they need. Because of this, some use the AirPods for specific tasks around the house, such as streaming content from their phones and making calls, but don't find them to be a viable alternative for all-day use.
"My husband wears his just to receive phone calls," one person says. "I use them in the morning at home so I can stream from my iPhone/MacBook," adds another.
(Credit: Tim Gideon/PCMag)But for less than $200, Apple devices are a welcome companion to traditional hearing aids. "Personally, I don’t think the limited battery of the iPods is really an issue," one person says. "Because with the big cost differential between better hearing aids ($3000+) and AirPod Pros ($200) you could buy several pair of AirPods and swap them out."
Another noted that AirPods charge faster than their traditional hearing aids, which can also help overcome short battery life, as long as you have a plug nearby.
2. Work on the Fit and Appearance
The way AirPods Pro 2s fit in the ear, and how they look, can be another barrier to all-day use. Some find them uncomfortable, and they also fall out of some peoples' ears easily. Apple offers four tip options for different ear types.
"The AirPods tend to fall out of my ears and I’ve tried all kinds of tips," says one person. "They’re heavy and tend to fall out during manual labor," adds another. Between the uncomfortable fit and short battery life, a third person chose to return them after a week.
The recognizable, white earbud style can also confuse people the wearer is talking to. It's unclear if they're listening to music or making a call, which is what most people associate with the look of AirPods. This requires clarification and takes away from the conversation.
"It somewhat depends on whether you feel comfortable walking around with AirPods on. They’re not exactly invisible," says one person. "Out to a nice dinner, in a business meeting, or at a doctor's appointment? I don't want to sit there with AirPods on."
3. Improve Inconsistent Sound Quality
Though the sound quality can be excellent on AirPods, the feedback varied widely in this area. Many factors are at play, including how severe the person's hearing loss is (remember, Apple only advertises them for mild to moderate), the settings on their device, and the performance of the traditional hearing aids to which they're drawing a comparison.
"They are absolutely terrible as pure hearing aids, they don't improve speech recognition anywhere near real hearing aids," one person says. "I feel like I would be missing something using them in a work meeting situation," another adds.
Others say the sound is "superb," so it likely depends on the person and how they're using their AirPods Pro. One sound quality most seem to agree on is music, when streamed from their Apple devices.
"They are good enough that I can hear and talk to my wife, and the sound quality for music is 1,000 times better than my hearing aids," says one person. "It's like the instruments and sounds that are diminished from my hearing loss are finally being heard again," adds another.
Some people had specific sound issues, such as a feeling of "occlusion," or like the ear is plugged. Another noticed that every sound that came through the AirPods had a "metallic clang" to it: "Get up from my chair walking to the kitchen, my shoes are making a clanging sound."
What's Working Well?
( Credit: Apple)Based on the feedback, the AirPods Pro 2 seem like a great hearing aid option for people who aren't sure if they're ready to drop big bucks on a more advanced hearing aid.
As one person mentioned, this can be a great "gateway" to getting the full care you need with a more advanced hearing aid through an audiologist or OTC. Apple also offers an on-device hearing test to learn more about your hearing loss in each ear.
They're great for around the house, and with loved ones who know why you're wearing visible AirPods. The sound quality seems to be great when listening to content from an Apple device, whether it's a TV show, music, podcast, or phone call. At $199, it may be worth it to try them and see what they can do for you.
"In my opinion, if you're an iPhone user with a fairly recent phone running iOS 18, getting the AirPods Pro 2s or waiting for the 3s is a no brainer," one person says. "If you are patient, you'll find the 2s on sale. I've seen them for $179."
The next-gen version, the AirPods Pro 3, could launch in 2025, according to MacRumors.