Apple’s AirPods earbuds might be the perfect cheap hearing aid trick for anyone searching for one. According to a recent study, the AirPods have the potential to improve the quality of life for many people who suffer from hearing problems by increasing access to sound amplification tools.
Even though hearing impairment is widespread, statistics indicate that hearing devices are not worn by 75% of Americans with hearing problems. This could be partly attributable to the multiple obstacles that limit equal access, including the expense and the time required to schedule many appointments with audiologists and otolaryngologists for tuning.
The study’s corresponding author and Taipei Veterans General Hospital otolaryngologist Yen-fu Cheng said there is social stigma related to the use of hearing devices. As a result, most patients are reluctant to put them since they don’t want to look old. Cheng said that they began exploring access alternatives.
Apple introduced a “Live Listen” feature in 2016 that enables users to amplify sound using AirPods and iPhones. With this capability, AirPods can function the same way as a personalized sound amplification gadget created for people without hearing problems to partake in hobbies that call for an enhanced hearing, including birding.
The most recent model of noise-cancellation AirPods Pro and AirPods 2 were compared in the study. Researchers tested the devices with 21 volunteers with mild to severe hearing loss.
The researchers found that AirPods Pro worked the same way as hearing devices in quiet settings. Surprisingly they were slightly less efficient relative to high-end hearing aids. The gadgets also came close to passing all technological requirements, passing four of the five requirements for hearing aids. Even though the AirPods 2 had the worst performance of all the gadgets, they were still better than wearing no hearing gadgets.
Interestingly the AirPods Pro worked the same way as high-end aids in noisy settings if the noises were from the participant. However, the AirPods didn’t have strong results when the noises were coming from the front.