Airpods Pro 2 as Hearing Aids ?

Apple Airpods Pro 2 is now available in Australia to be used as hearing aids. The Airpods Pro 2 can be of assistance in enhancing the hearing of people who have a mild hearing loss but do not want or cannot afford hearing aids.

 They allow the wearer to hear clearer if the devices are properly set up. They do not replace high tech hearing aids which are customised to an individuals’ ear canal and hearing loss, but can be of assistance in difficult situations for some.

 The Airpods Pro 2, like any other over-the-counter hearing enhancer device, also have some limitations as they are not physically customised to an individual’s ear canals like hearing aids. This can cause the so called “occlusion effect” - an unpleasant sensation that the ears are blocked and the wearer’s own voice echoes in their heads. This effect may not be present for everyone depending on the hearing loss configuration.

 The other inconveniences are that wearing Airpods Pro 2 while having a conversation may be seen as  “anti-social” behaviour, plus the battery life is very short compared to hearing aids. Apart from all that, the Airpods Pro 2 have their place in improving the hearing of suitable users.

 The procedure to set up the devices as hearing aids may be easy for some but more complex for others who are not so “tech savvy”. Audiologists at Healthy Hearing & Balance Care are always available to help you set up the Airpods Pro 2 for you and also advise if they are a suitable option for your hearing profile.