Apple AirPods with built-in hearing aids
- Thread starter skyactiv
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OMG, I have issues with ear buds staying in one ear. Same ancestry on one side of the family *LOL*
I have found some that work and over the years I must have tried 10 brands. What is cool is you can buy all you want and return them if they dont work for you.
Anyway, the short list for me is Bose Quiet Comfort and Bose Sport stay in my ear. However I did contact Bose about the new version of the Quiet Comfort didnt fit as well, it comes with 3 sets of ear tips, they sent me special larger ear tips at no cost which worked out perfect as can be and they still fit in the charging case.
I also found Jaybird Spirit work for me (no longer use though) and bargain priced Sony WF C500 I only bought them for fun recently, they were stupid cheap on sale at the time, I think marked down 50% (like $40 or $49) on Amazon but now back up to $100. Nothing is as good as the Bose soundstage but I have to say I enjoy the Sony's more flat response just for fun once in a while. Also they are super easy to sleep in because they fit in the ear. But Bose Quiet comforts you will hear NO outside noise should you chose.
You know for a fact Apple will get fda clearance? Why would they jump into a market they have no experience with? Hearing aid manufacturing is very different than cranking out mediocre earbuds. There's alot more to hearing aids then I think you realize. I have had hearing aids since 2019. Now sonos and a few others can pipe audio directly into their hearing aids if you have an iPhone.
Mine either. It has to do with the shape of the ear. Earbuds are highly discouraged vs over ear headphones by audiologists.
You being very cynical, I’m not sure why?
If you read up on it, they are expecting clearance around November being they are Apple. They will not release the product until it is cleared. I’m not sure why your statement.
They did the same thing with their electrocardiogram app years back as they waited for FDA clearance
This goes far beyond, way far beyond many other of these electronic manufacturers who market products like this and seek no government evaluations.
I certainly don’t need a lesson in hearing aids. The FDA knows that as well too, and that is why they now allow over-the-counter hearing aids. Just do a search almost every major electronics manufacturer now makes them.
It’s called a hearing aid, it aids somebody to hear better. The FDA realizes not everybody has to spend thousands of dollars and people of all income levels can go out and spend a couple hundred dollars instead and actually be able to hear better.
Not exactly rocket science to have a speaker close to your ear.
I supplied you with a number of links in a previous post, did you not check them out?
This isn’t just Apple. It’s dozens of companies, however Apple being who they are takes things a step further and does things the right way and the FDA evaluate it. In the meantime, they’re not going to release it until the FDA does evaluate it and that is not a requirement, but it is something that Apple does.
To directly answer your question, you asked me how I know if they will get FDA clearance. Well, the company stated they will release the product when they get FDA clearance, which is expected around November. I doubt very much that Apple is going to make that statement for a product that they’re promoting what it will do if there was any doubt that the FDA would not approve it.. I don’t think approve are correct words though, I would tend to use the word evaluate for its advertised purpose.
Which would be similar to what they did with their electrocardiogram app on the Apple Watch, which by the way, greatly helped two cardio specialists, evaluate my condition and correct a heart rhythm issue before any heart damage took place.
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People can read what this feature is about straight from the horse's mouth.
Apple is not entering the hearing aid market.
It is not intended to be a substitute for hearing aids, never mind professionally-prescribed hearing aids.
It is finding ways to add health-related, and accessibility features to enhance its existing products, like it has already done with their watches, and this one will be provided free of charge to those who already own a pair of the headphones. It will provide some utility, and promote awareness.
But, based on the poor experiences of those who I know do have to rely on hearing aids, it looks like a market that could stand to be disrupted.
There are better things to faux rage about.
Apple is not entering the hearing aid market.
It is not intended to be a substitute for hearing aids, never mind professionally-prescribed hearing aids.
It is finding ways to add health-related, and accessibility features to enhance its existing products, like it has already done with their watches, and this one will be provided free of charge to those who already own a pair of the headphones. It will provide some utility, and promote awareness.
But, based on the poor experiences of those who I know do have to rely on hearing aids, it looks like a market that could stand to be disrupted.
There are better things to faux rage about.
if it works anything like as good as the noise cancellation, it'll be great.
Agree, all the naysayers!
Come on I say to them!
Who says they will replace or be as good as multi thousand dollar hearing aids? (that cost about $100 or so to make)
Who cares?
Think about the hearing person challenged that has company over and want to watch a movie together. Instead of blasting the TV the person can put in a set of ear buds. Yet in his/ner normal daily routine can get by without them.
No one says one device is for everyone. This is APPLE who designed into their music/phone call ear buds a hearing AID. That is all.
I am sure they will work well for many people who might have a specific use for them and not someone who needs an AID all day long.
So let's be clear on that. APPLE music earbuds will soon be able to be used as a hearing AID for those people who wish to use it that way. SO at no additional cost this device may help those who will never spend $1000++++ on hearing aids.
This is NOT APPLE selling a Hearing AID that can be used for music.
BTW- these over the counter devices are turning the HIGH PROFIT hearing AID industry into a tailspin. Profits equal to and higher than the drug industry. Sure I feel bad about the lost careers but that goes for everything taken over by technology right down to your local hardware store and bank.
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I just realized that you said it much more clearly than my rambling on *LOL*
Not sure how many people know, APPLE is about improving the human condition. It's actually their corporate philosophy, sure of course they make boatloads of money, good for them.
AS posted MANY times by me, Apple's ECG app on my watch caught a large heart timing issue (PVCs) that wasnt taking place in the medical office when I went to the doctors (although over time the frequency had greatly increased_ and lead to faster treatment to correct it by my cardiologist and a electrophysiologist who did an ablation. Outcome = ZERO heart damage.
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They have their own approach, which many don't always see, but enough people like it so that they can basically print money doing it that way.
I don't think the Watch would have ever become popular as it is were it not for the health-related features. "Consumer-grade" health gadgets do provide some benefits, so it's no surprise they're trying to apply that to more products.
I'm glad I don't need hearing enhancement, yet anyway, but I do wear glasses, and know what a racket that business is, despite the plethora of market solutions now available (not counting contact lenses). The hearing aid market looks like an even bigger racket.
And oh, BTW
https://www.fda.gov/news-events/pre...rizes-first-over-counter-hearing-aid-software
Awesome link, thank you. I was telling a family member who is a bit of a dinosaur and hard of hearing. The kind he that does nothing to improve until a major event happens health wise. But he always jokes about his lack of hearing. Leave it to Apple, like the ECG app to do things right and have the FDA evaluate it. I notice in this link once again, a first. Years back he even called crazy when he heard that I had the Apple Watch with ECG app, said no way is that thing capable of .... until of course the watch helped me along with two heart specialists fix a short circuit in my heart causing a timing issue. They loved being able to go over the watch information and then of course their own recordings were done.
As of today (fingers crossed) I am not the ONLY male member in my family tree that does not have heart damage of any kind I do have low levels of plaque. The watch helped speed up the process and got me corrected before any damage. Im really not what some call me a Apple Fan Boy... I just stick to facts and that is how Apple makes boatloads of money. Improve the human condition, do it right with stuff that works and the money follows.
Im sure people know the countless lives their new phones have saved in medical emergencies with fall detection and the latest with built in emergency satellite communications when cell service is out of range.
Anyway love factual information, the following is for the naysayers from your link:
"The Hearing Aid Feature (HAF) is a software-only mobile medical application that is intended to be used with compatible versions of the AirPods Pro. The HAF utilizes a self-fitting strategy, and users may adjust it to meet their hearing needs without the assistance of a hearing professional. The HAF is set up using an iOS device (e.g., iPhone, iPad), and the user’s hearing levels are accessed from the iOS HealthKit to customize the HAF. Users can refine the volume, tone and balance settings after setting up the HAF.
The HAF was evaluated in a clinical study with 118 subjects with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss, at multiple U.S. sites. The results demonstrated that subjects who used the HAF self-fitting strategy achieved similar perceived benefit as subjects who received professional fitting of the same device. "
https://www.fda.gov/news-events/pre...rizes-first-over-counter-hearing-aid-software
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My current earbuds,
Bose Quiet Comfort amazing sound quality and construction, software a bit iffy but killer sound. Use these all the time. In fact my first pair died after 1 year of an older version, through the website I did a trouble shooting and bam, it took me right to a page to confirm my address and they sent me a brand new pair of the upgraded new version, I was so impressed, didnt even have to talk to a person. Have worked flawlessly for about a year now I think. LOVE THEM.
Bose Sport Buds (dont really use them)
Jaybird Spirit I think (haven't used them in a while now but nice buds that fit flat in your ears, can sleep in them)
Sony WC F500 bought these on Amazon special for fun like $49 recently. I actually like them once in a while for a fun switch out to listen to music for a couple hours. They are actually quite crisp and clean but lacking deep bass.
Ok, so here is the deal. (there is a reason for typing all this) The above earbuds are the only ones hands down that fit and stay in my ears. Particularly the left ear. I guess something inside the ear isnt "standard" and this is typical for a lot of people. I have tried AT LEAST another half dozen brands and returned them over the years.
I actually had an issue with the Bose too. I could not get a tight seal mostly in one ear trying all three ear tips. Once again, I went on Bose site trouble shooting and BAM (*LOL*) again. Took me to a site to confirm my address and they sent me at no cost and extra large ear tip (that still fits in the case) Fantastic service from them and perfect fit for the last year +
For reference my wife has Gen1 Air Pods pros and recently for Christmas I got her a pair of Bose Quite comfort for the same reason. The sound stage on the Bose is amazing. She loves both the AirPods and Quiet Comforts for different reasons but deliver awesome sound quality just in different ways. However in phone calls which she does a lot of the AirPods Pros do better, Bose is acceptable but not as good.
Ok, so the reason for all this is, many years ago I had the same issue with Gen 1 Apple AirPods Pro's. One of many I returned, just could not get a good seal. This past weekend my wife surprised me with a pair of the Gen 2 AirPods pros because she heard me recommending me them to a family member who's hearing isnt great based on the OPs post. SO once the software is released he could update them to a hearing aid.
Anyway I put those AirPods Pro gen 2 on and same experience, FANTASTIC sound, just like Bose but in a different way. I love them and want to keep them HOWEVER, I can not get a good seal on my left ear and there are no options from Apple (such as extra large ear tips that Bose offers) except to return them. So return we are going to do.
Gosh, even last night, we tried everything, one ear they are just a bit too loose, still sound FANTASTIC but the Apple ear seal test says their is an air leak which I would ignore but I know it is true, that one ear I would be concerned about it falling out, its jsut not a snug fit.
Great thing about earbuds, returns are easy, try them all, the makers know their buds do not fit everyone. I really want to make the AirPods Pro 2 work, also I like electronics and giving myself a hearing test would be cool. But until Apple offers a bigger ear tip and they most likely wont, it's a no go.
SO Bose it is, love them, would ahve been nice to add another quietly bud to the collection. I do have two earbuds coming tomorrow but they arent ear buds. They are two different types of Shokz open ear (earbuds/headphones) that I would use outdoors. Sound quality will not be like an in ear bud, its a different use bud. SO if the sound isnt at least acceptable both will be returned, Im hoping one works out though.
Bose Quiet Comfort amazing sound quality and construction, software a bit iffy but killer sound. Use these all the time. In fact my first pair died after 1 year of an older version, through the website I did a trouble shooting and bam, it took me right to a page to confirm my address and they sent me a brand new pair of the upgraded new version, I was so impressed, didnt even have to talk to a person. Have worked flawlessly for about a year now I think. LOVE THEM.
Bose Sport Buds (dont really use them)
Jaybird Spirit I think (haven't used them in a while now but nice buds that fit flat in your ears, can sleep in them)
Sony WC F500 bought these on Amazon special for fun like $49 recently. I actually like them once in a while for a fun switch out to listen to music for a couple hours. They are actually quite crisp and clean but lacking deep bass.
Ok, so here is the deal. (there is a reason for typing all this) The above earbuds are the only ones hands down that fit and stay in my ears. Particularly the left ear. I guess something inside the ear isnt "standard" and this is typical for a lot of people. I have tried AT LEAST another half dozen brands and returned them over the years.
I actually had an issue with the Bose too. I could not get a tight seal mostly in one ear trying all three ear tips. Once again, I went on Bose site trouble shooting and BAM (*LOL*) again. Took me to a site to confirm my address and they sent me at no cost and extra large ear tip (that still fits in the case) Fantastic service from them and perfect fit for the last year +
For reference my wife has Gen1 Air Pods pros and recently for Christmas I got her a pair of Bose Quite comfort for the same reason. The sound stage on the Bose is amazing. She loves both the AirPods and Quiet Comforts for different reasons but deliver awesome sound quality just in different ways. However in phone calls which she does a lot of the AirPods Pros do better, Bose is acceptable but not as good.
Ok, so the reason for all this is, many years ago I had the same issue with Gen 1 Apple AirPods Pro's. One of many I returned, just could not get a good seal. This past weekend my wife surprised me with a pair of the Gen 2 AirPods pros because she heard me recommending me them to a family member who's hearing isnt great based on the OPs post. SO once the software is released he could update them to a hearing aid.
Anyway I put those AirPods Pro gen 2 on and same experience, FANTASTIC sound, just like Bose but in a different way. I love them and want to keep them HOWEVER, I can not get a good seal on my left ear and there are no options from Apple (such as extra large ear tips that Bose offers) except to return them. So return we are going to do.
Gosh, even last night, we tried everything, one ear they are just a bit too loose, still sound FANTASTIC but the Apple ear seal test says their is an air leak which I would ignore but I know it is true, that one ear I would be concerned about it falling out, its jsut not a snug fit.
Great thing about earbuds, returns are easy, try them all, the makers know their buds do not fit everyone. I really want to make the AirPods Pro 2 work, also I like electronics and giving myself a hearing test would be cool. But until Apple offers a bigger ear tip and they most likely wont, it's a no go.
SO Bose it is, love them, would ahve been nice to add another quietly bud to the collection. I do have two earbuds coming tomorrow but they arent ear buds. They are two different types of Shokz open ear (earbuds/headphones) that I would use outdoors. Sound quality will not be like an in ear bud, its a different use bud. SO if the sound isnt at least acceptable both will be returned, Im hoping one works out though.
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