Issues with Apple AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Aids | DrCliffAuD VLOG 238
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- Опубліковано 27 вер 2024
- What I really think about the Apple AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Aids | DrCliffAuD VLOG 238.
April Fools Video Apple Hearing Aids Review: • NEW Apple Hearing Aid ...
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Seeing someone who's videos are regularly sponsored by hearing aid manufacturers bashing an OTC product that hasn't been released yet not once, but twice in a week, makes me really look forward for its release and its further development. Thanks Cliff!
I have no illusions that a $200+ AirPod is going to replace my $$$$$ hearing aids. But I do appreciate that they can now be programmed to accommodate my individual hearing parameters. Kudos to Apple for recognizing that every individual has an optimal hearing environment and attempting to make their product(s) accordingly. That includes the noise level warnings I get on my phone and Apple watch to the adaptive mode sound level adjustments for ambient noise and the very good noise cancelation mode on the AirPods Pro 2. I also like the transparent mode the automatically adjusts for conversation and music and sound tracks sound better when your hearing profile is incorporated in the device. Both devices have their place and I think that is going to be understood by most consumers either intuitively or through experience.
Thank you, sir, but ...
As an experienced HA user who also has Air Pods Pro 2 set up as hearing devices using an older audiogram, i'm inclined to wait and see (hear) what Apple delivers. The Air Pods do not present, for me, the same user experience as the HAs but i have found them useful. When i'm not wearing the HAs the APs do improve sound level presented to my ears and aid in conversation; i don't have to run get the HA's to have a conversation. The APs have added benefit of being far superior in playing music into my ears. Furthermore, APs have been extremely reliable, in the time i've owned them i've been through two sets of receivers, $400.
Would it be a good buy for someone who has not used HA previously? Considering the regular HA devices themselves are very costly.
@@dushyantaswal6528 Howdy. Dr Cliff may not be able to reply and i do not wish you to feel ignored; may i respond?
i am a hearing device user, not a doctor or dispenser of HAs. My sense in the matter is, no, this is _not_ a potential good buy for someone who needs help hearing. In my judgment, Apple is showing the AirPods Pro have potential and my hope is that Apple will improve them. However, i have no expectancy Apple will make that so. Over the counter hearing devices are limited by U.S. law as to how much sound is presented in the ears. That limit has the effect of making the APs truly effective for people with mild hearing loss only.
Most folks don't seek treatment until they fall into the moderate hearing loss category. Treatment of moderate hearing loss requires amplification of external sounds, signal proccessing to amplify higher frequency sounds more than lower frequency sounds, and is greatly aided by sound proccessing that lessons static noises, buzzing sounds, rumbling sounds, etc. that, as we age, we hear better than the voices and music we wish to hear. The need to do all this and have a skilled person custom tune the HAs to to how the patient's brain proccesses information from the ears is why the devices are $$$$.
The AirPods Pro just aren't engineered for all that.
But, should you wish to try them, understand the AirPods Pro are for people with mild hearing loss to use them in relative quiet environments. Around the house, for instance.
i hope this helps. Best wishes to you.
@@lowellwhite8810 Thanks a lot for this descriptive response. Appreciate it. 🙏
Dr Cliff, I really appreciate you and the help you're providing everyone with hearing loss and perhaps you're right, but I think your message would resonate more if you did this review after Apple comes out with the update. Making this video before Apple even releases the update seems a little disingenuous.
I thought so too....
@@rherteux they didn't upgrade the hardware and unless they COMPLETELY started from scratch with help from a major hearing aid manufacturer, I doubt it will be much different/better than their original feature.
@@DrCliffAuD I'm going to remain cautiously optimistic. What they demo'd at their keynote on Sept 9 looks like something that will make a real difference and I can't imagine Apple would make a big deal out of this if it wasn't a noticeable improvement, we'll see. I'm on their iOS 18.1 beta track so I'm hoping the next beta brings the feature so I can try it out for myself.
@@DrCliffAuDisn't their h2 chip samples audio 48000 per sec unlike hearing aid which sample less like 700 or so?
I have Oticon Intents that were fit by a fantastic audiologist that follows the best practices you recommend. I will be purchasing Apple AirPods Pro 2 for one reason. When I exercise, eat alone in a restaurant, or fly on an airplane, I like to listen to audiobooks. My hearing aids suck at this. I cannot hear the audiobook signal in my hearing aids when the external noise level is increased. Even turning the hearing aid volume to 0 does not help because I only have moderate hearing loss. I do not want closed dome or custom molds since I really like to have the remaining hearing I have and then use the hearing aids to give me back the high frequency for voice. My ear canal is really small which precluded the use of the older AirPods Pro. Your first video was great because it told me that the new ones have an even smaller silicone fittings that may solve my problem. So - when I am using the AirPods Pro, it would be really nice to switch them to "hearing aid mode" to have even a little bit of hearing improvement for the few minutes that I need it. Once I am out of those situations I will put my Oticons back in.
What I really want to know is when will Apple enable LE Audio in their devices. Any news or rumors? Thanks
Well said. $250 Airpods pro are addressing more of the situations that hearing aids don't. ty
I agree with you on hearing aids not having a good sound when streaming music. Mine also suck for that!
Perhaps it is Oticon's (made for iPhone) Bluetooth? My Phonaks stream very well, and while both Oticon and Phonak have great products, ny preference is for Phonak because they use standard/legacy Bluetooth that works extremely well.
@@bob-N4REE The bluetooth is not the issue. In normal environments it works great. Even connects to my Mac, iPad, or phone seamlessly. The problem is when I am in a noisy environment I can't hear music or audiobooks since the hearing aids are not noise cancelling. Those are the situations when AirPods Pro can be great. I would never trade my Oticons for their pods in any other situation.
It really pains me to have to say this but I have been wearing hearing aids a long time & before Bluetooth. I have had Signia chargeNGo, Phonak Marvel, KS-10, Paradise and now Luminity. All the top of the line. I also have a Roger device. Using the Apple pro 2 in restaurants, in the car, on planes where I travel 4 times a year I hear speech better then any of my hearing aids. Now I know you will probably say those hearing aids just have not been programmed correctly. Really? Now I will admit the Apple pro 2 do not compensate for my hearing loss but in many situations they are better.
Undoubtedly, my professional Starkey hearing aids outperform the AirPods Pro when used as hearing aids; however, when considering the cost, they do not surpass them by a factor of 24.
I purchased the AirPods 4 ( non sealed on the ear canal) with noise cancellation. I was absolutely surprised at how well it works. Just goes to show how extensive research and very deep pockets can push technology forward. Add Google, Bose and Sennheiser to the equation, wait 5 years and today’s prescription hearing aids are going to look like the old ear trumpet of 100 years ago. It’s the wake call up that the industry has needed for the last decade. True DSPs, memes based microphones and audio drivers have progressed as an astonishing rate but only from massive investment. I hope the prescription industry can keep up. Should get interesting.
I appreciate your insightful remarks!
I wish they had a setting for people with single-sided deafness. I wear a CROS hearing aid, with a microphone and transmitter on my deaf side. I would love it if the AirPods could do that! But I know they'll never be as good as the professional CROS device I have.
Good point. I have had one sided hearing since 2019 when I suffered SSHL. My other ear has always had issues, but with a hearing aid, I hear like I used to with my good ear. My deaf ear has a cochlear implant. It would be cool if ear pods could connect with an implant sound processor. What I’d really like to know is would I be better with regular ear pods or the pros ? and would the ear pods make music sound more like I remember? When Ivstream through my HA, the sound comes out at a higher note and confuses my brain. It’s not single sided hearing because before the HA’s I only heard on one side because the other ear was not useful if that makes sense.
Ürünün özelliği tek taraflı olarak ayarlanabiliyor, ve sadece tek tarafa kulaklık takarakda bu özellikten faydalanabilirsiniz.
I'm new to hearing loss and learning. Why can't you just wear one? OTC or prescription. Set it as you are wearing both, but only wear one. Just wondering.
@@andrewwang8719I’m in the same situation. I tried using one in my weak ear for one on one conversation but it didn’t seem to work for me. I feel like if I could adjust via an EQ I could tailor it to work.
I have moderate hearing loss and can’t put out the money at the moment for hearing aids with an audiologist. I’ve ordered the AirPods Pro 2 to see just how much they can help. If i get some help from them for now I’ll be happy. If I do not, then I have a great pair of in ear headphones, which I’ve been wanting anyway. In the case they don’t help, I still have the option to visit and get prescription hearing aids when I have the money. So I feel I’ve not lost anything at this time and have some hope that they can be a band aid for the short term.
Give me your review on this as a hearing aid for mild to moderate hearing loss as mom suffers from it I am thinking to buy it and also update me after you update the airpods this fall
Yorumum türkçe olduğu için kusura bakmayın, Fakat Orta Derece İşitme kaybım var ve bu kulaklıklar benim için neredeyse 5 6 kat para ödemememi sağladılar. Ve süper çalışıyorlar. Şuanda 125 hz ve 8 Khz arasındaki odyo testlerimi sağlık uygulamasına yükledim ve videodaki ayarları yaptıktan sonra, duyma becerilerim süper oldu. Apple çok teşşekkürler. Artık uzakdaki insanlarla konuşmak benim için hiç sorun değil yada yan odadaki konuşmaları anlamak benim için çok kolay. Tam sürümü yayınlanmasını merakla bekliyorum. Umarım airpods pro 3 ile bu teknolojide daha iyileşir. işitme cihazları saniyede 700 kere tanırken bu cihaz 48000 kez sesi tanıyor ve düzeltiyor. Yüksek işitme kayıplarında işe yarayacağını düşünmüyorum. Artık toplantı ve seminerlere gitmek benim için bir korku değil, bilgi kaynağı sebebi oldu. İşitme engelli kardeşlerim bana bu yorum altından ulaşsın. Ve onlara da artık iyi bir duyma sağlayalım.
Translate?
@@pa1kumarbhukya tabi kullanabilirsin...
My 11k resound hearing aid does not even have a portable case with built in battery.
I have old hearing aids and AirPods Pro 2 and my hearing are absolutely killing the AirPods in speech clarity and yet my HAs are vastly inferior to the newer models. I do absolutely love the fact that I load my audiogram into my iPhone and listen to music in a very clear sounding manner with AirPods. I just can’t live with them as hearing aids.
Apple has not yet released the hearing aid software for the Airpods Pro 2.
At t]present they are just amplifiers, not hearing aids.
Wait and see how you like them when they do.
@@ray-tz6bu what is coming out is a hearing test that you will load in your phone. You are not getting 4000$ hearing aids out of an AirPod.
Most people I know who got prescription hearing aides paid a lot for them and are using them, but they aren’t all that happy with them. That’s why I’ve held back on spending in the thousands for prescription hearing aides.
Personally I don’t think there is anyway OTC aids will work for someone that needs specialized care. OTC will most likely never replace the care a great audiologist can provide.
I have meniere’s so use mine to protect against loud noises and they do help in crowded/noisy spaces. I bought both on sale. I’m looking forward to the update.
I agree, I don't think Apple will kill off the prescription hearing aid industry anytime soon, however i am looking forward to seeing what the iOS update/what i assume will be Airpods firmware update brings to the game. It would be nice to have a suplimental device i can wear when working out, that allows me to listen to something and still hear my sorroundings as well. Even something to have in a pinch while my prescription aids are charging etc.
Waiting for my new Phonak Audeo Sphere hearing aids to come in. Yep bought the top of the line in today’s world. Yes they will be fine tuned. Now, having said all of that. I use my Apple AirPod Pro 2 every day. When connected to anything Bluetooth. I hear everything perfect. Outside of the Bluetooth world I will need my hearing aids. AirPods won’t replace my hearing aids but certainly augment them for sure.
I don’t have any level of expectation that Apple AirPods 2 are going to put the hearing aid industry out of business…. That said… what I don’t hear you addressing… is that prescription hearing aids average $5K, or 20 times the cost of the AirPods, and are rarely if ever covered by insurance. In short… there is a reason that people try these devices… even as a preliminary step… When the medical community starts addressing this issue, when they push back on the insurance companies to start covering these devices…. Then and only then will you be in a position to complain about what Apple is doing… Kudos to them (and it kills me to say that) for attempting an affordable solution even if they don’t address all of the requirements… At least they’re trying to address the real problem… which is not about who makes them, but who can afford them…
Moderate hearing loss can use this air pord pro 2? They can hear claerly
Apple products are great for what they do. The different products they have like the iPhone,iPad,Mac and Apple Watch all work well together. I don’t think people have the same expectations of an over the counter product than a prescription product. Apple made it very easy to upload your audiogram to allow an entry point into considering the purchase of prescription devices. It also allows you some time to figure out what features you want in a prescription device, find a reputable audiologist and figure out how to pay for the best available devices to meet your needs. It was a nice interim product to use until I knew what features i wanted that fit my lifestyle. Airpods as hearing aids were not the best product but it bought me 6 months to navigate through the healthcare system and figure out how much money i wanted to invest on the perfect product for me. I try to be an informed consumer and the process of purchasing the correct hearing aids was not the easiest process. Apple is definitely not in the market to take over the OTC hearing aid industry. They have bigger markets to conquer.
Dr. Cliff, do you have any idea if this is more of a hardware issue or a software issue in terms of the AirPods not measuring up to prescription hearing aids? Thanks.
I think it‘s necessary to differentiate between the different tasks. A classic HA is used more or less the whole day. I wouldn’t use the AirPods Pro 2 for this. But I have a certain loss on one ear and what I need is a correction of volume and frequency on this side for the use as Bluetooth speakers. In this case I don’t believe that the AirPods Pro 2 are a bad choice.
AirPods 2 is the sound I had been looking for years than my old hearing aids .
This is saying something for sure. 👍👏
People like the air pod pro like you. I like using it then quickly changing to transparency when I need hearing aid.
It’s very convenient
This video is quite a drop from your detailed, generally positive review 6 months ago. You haven't clarified what are the new negatives, nor why they are substantial enough to warrant the 180' turnaround. The first review had lots of technical details, and IMHO the new review should be as clear. Maybe I missed some key item (yes, I understand the FDA approval seems to over reach), but the first review was a proper and ordered presentation, and requires any significant update review follow that presentation, at least at it covers the differences in performance you have presumably found in retesting.
The only good thing about Apple is their iPhones these days are much better than the iPhones years ago, especially in terms of compatibility with the telecoil. Earlier models of the iPhone were useless as there was way too much buzzing to even be useful for phone conversations. And I am really happy they stopped shipping the iPhone with Airpods because I am a BTE hearing aid user and Airpods are a waste of money for someone like me who can't even use Airpods!
I have very mild hearing loss. I've had many test. Some said there was no problem and other test were not positive. My problem is the sounds that doesn't bother many people make it difficult for me to hear others speech. I've tried other OTC hearing aids which only amplified the sound. With Apple now having OTC rating the control of background sounds was enough for me to hear conversations with air conditioners, wind and other sounds that people take for granted are easier for me to hear now. With the AirPod Pro being classified as OTC if I'm pulled over by the police I can fight the ticket since when I roll my window down I can understand the officer instead of trying to hear him by reading his lips. If I had $4000 hearing aids that would be overlooked. 😊
I agree 100% Have bought the Airpod pro 2 last year and found out that is was a wast of money. Meanwhile I have the Oticon Intent and that is the great. I would love if Apple enable the streaming from the Apple Watch without iPhone.
My son recently bought these for my mom, his grandma, to try to help with her hearing. She’s been through the gamut of many hearing aides. She’s almost 93 and bed bound. It feels pointless to me to go through all it would take to get to an audiologist and pay thousands for heating aids that she may not wear very long. That being said, she’s been wearing otc hearing aides for the last two plus years and it’s time for a replacement they tell me. I’m still trying to figure out how to make the air pods plus 2 work as a hearing aid. It’s a high learning curve for me.
@@carriurquhart2838 yikes. I doubt she has only a mild to moderate hearing loss at that age.
Yay‼️ I'm your mom!!! (Your dad says, "HEY!" 😠) 🤣🤣🤣
HI, Cliff! Great video. I am an Air Pods Pro 2 user, and use them for listening to tunes while I work out at the gym. It seems to me that the crux of the issue is whether Apple is able to improve the functionality of the device to start to materially address the issues of the significantly hearing impaired. I suspect that if they try to do that, they will have to upgrade the hardware and software and come out with a new model. Does this make sense to you?
Conversely, it would be advantageous for professional hearing aids to integrate advanced features similar to those of the AirPods Pro. It would indeed be pleasant if my prescription hearing aids could stream music with high-quality sound. The addition of active noise cancellation would also be a desirable feature.
@@allanmartin1876 Amen! I constantly find myself switching from my Starkey Evolvs to my AirPods whenever I want to listen to any audio stream. HA providers talk the "stream audio" game but the quality is nowhere near acceptable. Not even talking about Bluetooth connectivity...
I have the air pods pro 2 not bad using the transparency mode but battery life is bad. I have Eargo 6 and they are a great back up to my Signia Silk but can’t replace the depth of sound with the prescription. In fact I use the Eargo when running and yes they are durable and can get wet. If you can afford it get a high quality back up to your prescription aids.
When you get a chance to review the Apple AirPods, you might want to compare and contrast them to the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro Earbuds, too. The early consensus is they might be a little better for hearing assistance and general headphone use. Samsung has all the similar tools for use as an OTC hearing aid plus the ability to use your phone as a remote mic and a user accessible 9 band EQ.
Dr. Cliff, that test was done back on 2022. I wouldn’t base current performance or feedback on such if I were you.
The AirPods are a game changer, he clearly realises the impact they will have, hence publishing the old tests. lets face it for a non-intended use. I strongly suspect that when the Apple update comes it will be the game changer.
I have been tested by a professional. I have moderate hearing loss had medical grade hearing aids. Tried Jabra OTC. They were just as good. I will try Apple. I have found not difference between the professional ones and the OTC except $$$$
Apple always starts at point A and waits for the feedback which is used to iteratively improve their products. Take a look at the Apple Watch and the improvements they’ve made over the course of development (still no blood sugar measurements).
Also, I can’t afford the good hearing aids.
Apple Airpod 2s are 250$ The average price for prescription hearing aids are 2500$ Are prescription hearing aids 10 times better than AirPod 2? Not possible.
big difference… the software is approved, not the hardware. so wait for the AP3 next year. or the APX’s in a couple of years. they’re already working on models for over 5 years from now. the first gen of iPhones wasn’t that good, but look where they’re right now. that is the way apple operates… incremental updates. nokia and palm said the exact same thing as you, look where they’re are right now.
@@JanvanArkel I guess we'll see how fast they are improving. This update would need to be significantly better after their initial hearing aid feature was released several years ago.
I think you're missing a big point in your analyse. You forgot to take into account the huge breakthrough in artificial intelligence. From my point of view, it is totally possible to have a huge improvement in quality with the new update. And if it is not enough, i could be possible with the new hardware, Airpod Pro 3, coming in 2025
Non-sponsored advertisement, I hope you don't change your mind after a few months and I will save the video and we will see Apple's development in the field of hearing, Apple scientists in the field of industry are superior to the world and if Apple enters a certain field the competition is very strong and it will win in the end
Very informative clip.
Money money, money.
Outcome of actually hearing is dead last in priorities for this industry
Alot of the States that help People with getting free hearing aids has a process
Well your April fool’s day video will comes true very soon!!!
Thousand of people impared with hearing loss and most of the Insurance not covered for hearing aids. Probably the AirPods not going to replace the expensive hearing aids industry. But hope the AirPods functionally will get better and better than some hearing aids issues.
I wonder why your videos are so long. Why don't you shorten the talk to a minute and a half? And for your information, your information is very limited compared to the features of Apple's headphones.
This guy is suffering badly. Dude, the market will decide if these work or not, we don’t need you ranting endlessly.
A rather manic video.
Sounds like sour grapes.
Na, just aware that this will hit income, as the new market develops and other providers have to reduce margin/kick backs/prices.
I had to bailout at 10:00 min.
I couldn’t take it any longer.
You’re usually very good in reviewing and explaining hearing issues. This? OMG . Repetitive, Bashing and unnecessary. .
Your attempt at jokes and sarcasm is very poor.
I use AirPods for convenience. They provide me better hearing than without.
It's outrageous how expensive hearing aids are and a lot of times they don't work that well. I hope Apple puts the companies that make expensive hearing aids out of business or at the very least force them to lower their prices. It sickens me how companies take advantage of someone with a hearing disability by charging the consumer way more than what the product is actually worth.
@@dmarcus1260 won't happen. OTC targets the portion of the market that are not currently getting hearing aids. In fact, it is actually increasing the amount of people that are getting Rx hearing aids.
I will admit that I don’t like much Apple as a company but if anyone is going to disrupt the business with the hearing aid it will be them but not only. To me this is the beginning of the end or at least I hope so. Now the other companies in the field producing headphones will jump in- Samsung , Bose ect and in couple years only people with severe hearing loss will be getting the prescription HA and maybe not even them. I was wondering for years why companies like Samsung and Apple don’t disrupt the field…
@@DrCliffAuDTrue! I have had HA’s for the past twenty years, and it took that long to find the great audiologist I work with now. The good and the bad experiences along the way have helped me gain a very good understanding of what works for me. Phonak and now Oticon have been the top brands for me.
@@vlrdmtr Bose is behind the OTC Lexie B2 Plus Powered by Bose, with a price $999. However, they only treat mild to moderate hearing deficiencies. If Apple decided to introduce a prescriptive hearing aid, it would probably have a high list price, since Apple always charges premium prices for everything it sells. Yet Apple would be highly competitive because it always tries to be the best in the market.
Ok iOS 18 been out for like a week already so where’s your (actual) DEVICE REVIEW PLEASE YOUR ARE THE BEST I APPRECIATE YOU! Maybe with real ear measurements, I think you call it please
It’s a specific update for the AirPods. Expected in October 2024.
Hello Doctor Cliff, I am a French student in my final year of audiology, and I would like to focus my thesis on Bluetooth earphones that integrate hearing aid functions, comparing them with traditional hearing aids. I would love to discuss this topic with you and would like to know if there is a brand you would recommend for my study.
The think that actually caused me to see an audiologist was my experience with the the apple air pods pro 2 feed through feature. I could not believe how much better I could hear. I now have Oticon aids and am thrilled with the results all because of being prompted by my use of the air pods.
I think this would be great for someone with a mild hearing loss but when you have a severe high loss in the high frequencies (which a lot of patients seem to have) they won’t be THAT beneficial. Also, patients with a profound loss forget it. But I am interested to see. Maybe I am wrong and apple will have some amazing update and ruin the hearing care industry as we know it. Only time will tell.
"here's the real reason" Audiologists selling vulnerable elderly on $6000 garbage electronics. Apple is ending the US regulators monopoly on their garbage tech. I'm buying AirPods Pro for my mom today. Your racket is over.
Let us know how they worked out. Thanks.
Yorumum türkçe olduğu için kusura bakmayın, Fakat Orta Derece İşitme kaybım var ve bu kulaklıklar benim için neredeyse 5 6 kat para ödemememi sağladılar. Ve süper çalışıyorlar. Şuanda 125 hz ve 8 Khz arasındaki odyo testlerimi sağlık uygulamasına yükledim ve videodaki ayarları yaptıktan sonra, duyma becerilerim süper oldu. Apple çok teşşekkürler. Artık uzakdaki insanlarla konuşmak benim için hiç sorun değil yada yan odadaki konuşmaları anlamak benim için çok kolay. Tam sürümü yayınlanmasını merakla bekliyorum. Umarım airpods pro 3 ile bu teknolojide daha iyileşir. işitme cihazları saniyede 700 kere tanırken bu cihaz 48000 kez sesi tanıyor ve düzeltiyor. Yüksek işitme kayıplarında işe yarayacağını düşünmüyorum. Artık toplantı ve seminerlere gitmek benim için bir korku değil, bilgi kaynağı sebebi oldu. İşitme engelli kardeşlerim bana bu yorum altından ulaşsın. Ve onlara da artık iyi bir duyma sağlayalım.
Thank God for the FDA that disinterestedly protects us. 🎉
I feel like you are definitely biased on this. This feature cuts into your sales and your bullshit upselling your patients.
I still don't understand. How does Airpod work as a hearing aid on its own without being connected to the phone? With its own microphone and speaker?
I was skeptic about you at first but when you explained the gimmick about "their wording_OTC", I liked the video. Thanks
Dr Cliff, I hear a lot about the improvement of audio listening. Would this help the improvement of listening to someone in person in a crowded area or isolating voices compared to background noises?
The brilliant thing they do and also their fundamental limitation in terms of sound quality is that they use digital processing to create the illusion of an open fit. They will get better with that over time, and quite a bit of AI.
Do the airpods need to be connected to your iphone or ipad for it to act has a hearing aid?
The only thing the iPods are good for is when I need to charge my Phonak . They provide a slight boost in sound to get me through. I would never wear them outside the house as aids.
I'm a combat vet with hearing loss I already have air pods 2 because everyone does.....idk man I'm totally cool with my airpods becoming dual use. And I don't have to begg the VA for it
I remember a video you made about the AirPods Pro 2 around two years ago. In that video, you seemed more optimistic about their performance compared to your current opinion. I recall you mentioning that for the price, the AirPods Pro 2 were good for what they were, but not the quality of a true hearing aid. It seems like your opinion has changed, which is surprising. I hope you get the chance to test the new updated version of the AirPods Pro 2. I'll be interested in hearing your review. But, until the cost of traditional hearing aids comes down, I'll probably continue using over-the-counter options. If my lifestyle changes, I may consider true hearing aids again.
FWIW, I needed new AirPods anyway (the old pair had gotten wet one too may times and often sounded distorted) and the "hearing aid" as well s the hearing protection features compelled me to purchase the Pro 2s after attending a Neil Young with the Chrome Dreams Band in Pt. Chester, NY. while looking forward to testing them at the 2nd show that night without hearing protection for the 1st show, the music was very loud so that my ears rang for a time after the show. For the 2nd show, I wore the Pro 2's throughout the show. By the accounts of my friends, the music was louder the 2nd night. But not for me. I could hear all the insturments more clearly at a volume that did not cause my ears to rign after the show. In fact, when one of my friends remarked after the 2nd show that hearing protection is a good idea, I replied, "Although I have to admit, I kinda miss the ringing in my ears right now!" LOL...let's just say after 50 years of attending hundreds of rock shows, this was a new experience to me. I'm sure I will get used to it....
To be fair the airpods 2 are meant to be headphones for music lover , and being a pair of hearing aids is actually their "side job". they cost only a fraction of an OTC so I think it's not really reasonable to expect them to be a replacement of an OTC. airpods may work as a pair of secondary hearing aids, when you don't want to wear your true hearing aids. and you can enjoy your music at the same time.
Thank you Doctor Cliff - I appreciate your straight-forward explanation. I am still looking forward to acquiring some AirPods Pro 2 because a) I already have a good iphone with iOS 18... and therefore my incremental cost is only the $250.. b) I have no extended medical coverage.. and I live in Canada and others tell me professional hearing aids are $5,000 here. c) my hearing loss is low to mid, not severe.. and the mimi app accurately described my experience "you have no problem in normal conversations but struggle to hear words in group conversations". so I am hopeful of getting a little help for a price I can afford. The last feature is that they are multi-functional - they will work to help my hearing but also function for multiple devices and multiple uses.
Thank you for your info. Especially like that there are clinics offer free aids.
Nice job, Cliff! Even if it was a bit long. I have Phonak Virto P90 aids, and use Apple's Air Pods MAX cans WHEN I AM WATER JOGGING AT THE THERAPY POOL. I like to listen to podcasts while jogging, , and the Virtos are OUTSTANDING for that, but I put the AP Max OVER my Virtos to PROTECT THE VIRTO's From SPLASHING. I've found that if I turn my Virto's UP a notch, but STREAM SOFTLY TO THE AP MAX set to low volume, then I can press the front button on the Max for TRANSPARENCY if someone wants to talk with me. It's the "best of both worlds." When not using transparency, the AP Max are in noise cancelling mode, so I am protected from the NOISE around me. Gotta love the combination! If I want to switch STREAMING between the two devices, a simple press of the Digital Crown switches my stream between both devices. Now I jog and grin!
Two things that you say confuse me: 1. How can you attack the Apple Hearing platform before it even exists? Do you know that it won't be any different from the AirPods Pro 2 as they are today? 2. You say that the Apple Hearing platform may achieve 10% of the benefit of hearing aids. What, if anything, is your "10%" based on? It will be interesting to look back at your negative review of the Apple Hearing platform once it is actually available in a few weeks.
A little over the top pre-judging let’s wait for the actual product with updates to actually be on the market. Unless you really feel threatened by the product!
Most people don't understand the limitations of the existing product. OTC is already responsible for growing the Rx market. The only thing we, as a profession, are threatened by is individuals with hearing loss being given unrealistic expectations by these OTC manufacturers. Time will tell, but I don't see any way that OTC shrinks the Rx market since they are targeting the portion of the market that hearing aid clinics do not serve anyway.
@@DrCliffAuD no disrespect but the whole tenor and tone of your piece projects an aprehensión and suspicion of a product and software yet to hit the market. Perhaps a more measured stance should be considered until the product with upgraded is actually here. Just my observation
@@jeffreyantell7117 totally understand. However, everyone else out there is calling these a revolutionary game changing move my Apple despite the failure of thier first attempt. Everyone should have a healthy level of skepticism about what Apple is actually capable of.
I doubt if Apple has a merchant program for you to promote AirPods on the air and get a commission.... as you stated!
No, but many other retailers do like Amazon etc. that sell them.
Dr. Cliff, I agree with everything you said. But I think you missed some good points:
First, the AirPod Pro 2’s battery life is only 5 hours on average which can’t compete with my prescription HA’s that last all day. They charge fast but I don’t want to be without my HA’s for 30+ minutes while charging. Plus I don’t always want to carry around the charging case either.
Second, many social situations don’t allow you to walk around with AirPods in your ears, people would consider it rude and think you’re listening to something else. Even though we can do this with Bluetooth HA’s, people can’t see them and if they can will assume they are just HA’s.
Third, when I use my AirPod pros currently I’m always fiddling with the equalizer etc. to try to adjust for my type of hearing loss and can never get it even close. When Apple comes out with their update this fall and after I have used the apple hearing test (or load in your Dr’s prescription) the output sound will now adjust for my type of hearing loss (at least something close to it) and it will adjust across all of my Apple devices I use the AirPod Pro 2’s on. That one is a big plus for me.
Your first 2 points are right on! In the amplifying mode the Airpods may only get about 4 hours of battery life. Walking around in Airpods all day is also not comfortable or practical - and YES others will think you are being rude. Thank you for pointing this out.
Good stuff. Thanks. From an old man who blew his ears out in front of a Marshall stack around 1981. I have avoided aids for way too long.
Thanks for the information. I think it’s better to know the truth about these things to make informed decisions. Too much propaganda is taking consumers money before getting a real solution. And at the end it’s more money and time to get from point A to point B.
When is the firmware update that implements the OTC hearing aid coming out? All audiologists should know how to fit these with real ear measurements etc.
Unfortunately the cost of our services would be as much at the Airpods - but without verification you have no idea what type of frequency response or gain your ear is receiving, which is why REM is done for all prescription hearing aids.
This is a good product for people who already use hearing aids. I’ve found it to be the highest fidelity music I’ve ever experienced, and in Spatial Audio. I literally cried. Therefore, I want it it be even more amazing, and would pay my audiologist $250 to fit them.
So...I'm confused. As of today, September 23rd, The software has not been released yet for the AirPods 2 hearing aid capability so how have they been tested for this to rank a score of a "C"? Seems like they're being doubted before the software is even active. I'll wait until the software update before judging this feature and making an actual comment of opinion.
If you have not reviewed Ear Lens devices, I'd be interested in having you do it.
What I don’t get is how they can work as active earplugs, but the AirPod pros don’t. If they both have active noise cancelling, I’d think it’d be about the same. I did try it with the originals at a show and the music sounded way better that way, but my ears were ringing more than usual after that (I have had tinnitus for 35 years).
Doctor Cliff, please test if the new Apple Watch can be connected to Bluetooth LE Audio and stream Music (without iPhone nearby) directly to my Oticon Intent. Thank you!
FYI. Just got sent some of these iPod knock offs from china in the mail , and unsolicited from me (strange to get a free gift)
Curious to see If these pods can be programmed for hearing loss.
About hearing advisor, when they test hearing aids, are hearing aids one-side ear or two-side ears? They open the score, but I don't know their criteria.
Would be very interesting a demonstration of the results of realear measurements of all these over the counter iic or cic
Check out my review videos of these OTC devices. HearAdvisor.com does that too.
Will this technology upgrade only be available in a newer AirPod hardware release or will it be available for earlier versions as well?
AFAIK, it is only for the current model AirPod Pro 2's, no support for other models is yet planned.
@@grahampearce2405 OK - thanks.
People who need hearing aids should see a qualified audiologist for a hearing test. You are correct, doctor, people want to spend little money thinking they were going to get high quality and they are not.
Great video, Dr Cliff. 👏👍
You made a big fuss over how AI has dramatically improved hearing aids, but you don’t seem to realize Apple can do the same or better. We will see.
Yeah same. Don’t make negative about airports pro 2 yet after they release . This is AirPods Pro 2 only for mild people not for profound or totally deaf
Who’s going to wear AirPods at a party or restaurant in lieu of hearing aids. I use them as a supplement to my hearing aids, to watch movies on airplanes, for music listening and to extend the battery life of my hearing aids. You’re going to look like a dork if you wear them as a hearing aid.
If it means saving 6-7 grand I know my grandpa would make an exception.
I had seen them wearing in hk even in restaurant and exhibit
Sometimes, I use my AirPods Pro as hearing aids, and I never miss an opportunity to point this out. It invariably serves as a great conversation starter.
People walk around everywhere with them in anyway. Who’d know the difference if you’re listening to music, podcast, or using them as hearing aides?
Or could be noise cancellation