What’s the Deal with Apple AirPods Hearing Aids?
When Apple makes an announcement, pretty much everyone hears about it! The corporate technology giant recently announced plans to add new features in its AirPods earbuds, which they are calling “Apple AirPods Hearing Aids and Hearing Test.” This is great news because it will bring about more awareness and discussion about hearing loss and tinnitus, which are progressive degenerative disorders and need to be treated early on.
I am sure you have seen AirPods, the white antenna-like things sticking out of peoples’ ears on the subway, out in the street, or around the gym. Interestingly, 94% of AirPods users are under the age of 40, making it pretty clear that Apple is trying to increase its sales of products and gadgets to aging Americans over 40.
The AirPods Hearing Aids are actually classified as OTC (“over-the-counter”) hearing aids, so this will not be the right hearing solution for patients in need of clarity, background noise reductions, and reduced tinnitus symptoms. By under-treating hearing loss, it can also put patients at risk of cognitive overload.
The AirPods Hearing Test will be a DIY (“do it yourself”) process, so by removing the hearing doctor and patient relationship, it can actually leave patients in a more vulnerable position. There is a good reason why an Audiology degree requires 4 additional years of specialized schooling!
Audiologists across the country are warning those affected by hearing loss to do their research on the medical treatment process for hearing loss and tinnitus.
How to know if you can “do it yourself,” or if you need a Doctor of Audiology?
Medical science has proven one effective treatment approach for hearing loss and tinnitus. The proper treatment with an audiologist or hearing specialist will provide more speech understanding, clarity in background noise, and/or tinnitus reduction.
Some current shortfalls of Apple AirPods Hearing Aids:
- They are not discreet or visually appealing as prescription grade hearing devices.
- The battery life is short and cannot last a full day (unlike prescription hearing devices), so this leaves you without proper treatment. HEARING/TINNITUS TREATMENT IS MEANT TO BE WORN ALL DAY (MINIMUM 10 HOURS A DAY)!
- Sound processing is delayed (latency) which makes it harder for your brain to follow a conversation in noise.
- AirPods can only give a small boost of speech clarity directly in front of you, which is not how the world works. Their limited directionality capabilities will make it difficult to hear peripheral speech and from behind. One of the big advances recently in prescriptive hearing technology is the ability to decipher speech from background noise (signal to noise ratio) in 360 degrees, all around you.
- They are not customized, so AirPods will be lacking your unique hearing needs and clinical programming with scientific accuracy (their “DIY” approach means you’ll have to program them yourself).
- There is no medical oversight or treatment plan provided by Apple, whereas there is plenty of research supporting the key medical benefits of treating hearing loss through a healthcare provider and a personalized treatment plan.
- You will not have access to local clinical support from an audiologist or hearing specialist to help with your hearing and cognitive health.
- Apple AirPods are not designed to treat tinnitus or reduce its bothersome symptoms.
Early intervention with prescription hearing technology plays a vital role in addressing hearing loss. It’s no surprise that the likelihood of experiencing hearing loss or tinnitus increases as we age. Nearly half of adults between 60 and 70 are living with some degree of hearing loss or tinnitus. Call Brooklyn Audiology and avoid the frustration, embarrassment, and potential accelerated decline that comes with hearing loss and tinnitus.
Learn More: Prescription-Grade Hearing Technology and Local Audiologists
With advancements in prescription-grade hearing devices, and our tinnitus treatment approach, we reduce unwanted and bothersome tinnitus in about 85% of our patients. Call our office today to learn more 718-745-6363.
The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other audiology-related topics, feel free to contact Brooklyn Audiology Associates by clicking here or by calling 718-745-6363.