Airpods Pro 2 as Hearing Aids

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#3281717 13-Sep-2024 14:31

eracode:

@Eva888 and @alasta ^^ You say 'mine' and 'them' but I'm not sure whether you are talking about hearing aids or AirPods? Very interested in this thread.

Sorry too late to edit. I mean 'them' as iPod Pro's

Eva888

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#3281722 13-Sep-2024 14:52

Back home now. Forgot to mention that while I’m watching TV with the AirPods on, text messages come in to my iPad and I was surprised that they were read out to me. Made me jump the first time. It doesn’t always happen and I have no idea what triggers it and haven’t bothered to check. Could be because I’m using IPod Pro 1st Gen and 2nd Gen. To be honest I can’t really tell much difference in quality between the 1st and 2nd Gen ones.

When I get time, I will run the downloadable App hearing test and tweake them to optimise an already great product.

I think for some younger people the idea of a hearing aid equates to grandparent’s wearables and there’s a bit of stigma and reticence attached to them. AirPods are a good starting option for these people as they can just feel they look cool and no one will notice. Easier for women as for some their hair covers the ears.

i just wish they had a model like a sports earphone that clips over the ears. Mine once dropped into the sink when washing dishes. Quick grab of them and Google I found a video of sounds you could play through them to help dry? them. Also did a lot of shaking and towelling them and they survived.

About hearing, I have read that Covid can contribute to hearing loss and often wonder if having it twice may have been a causative factor. Can’t really prove this and wish there was a way of knowing the cause. Also had an accident where I was hit by car and thrown into the air to splat on the ground. I believe knocks can also cause loss.

alasta

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#3281742 13-Sep-2024 15:01

Eva888:

Back home now. Forgot to mention that while I’m watching TV with the AirPods on, text messages come in to my iPad and I was surprised that they were read out to me. Made me jump the first time. It doesn’t always happen and I have no idea what triggers it and haven’t bothered to check. Could be because I’m using IPod Pro 1st Gen and 2nd Gen. To be honest I can’t really tell much difference in quality between the 1st and 2nd Gen ones.

I have owned both 1st and 2nd generation Airpods Pro and the difference in audio fidelity is night and day. The 1st generation product was always in an awkward position in that they were too expensive to use just for spoken content, but the sonic performance wasn't adequate for music. In contrast the 2nd generation is a joy to use with music.

Eva888

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#3281833 13-Sep-2024 18:50

@alasta I’m only using them for watching TV You Tube and rarely for music so can’t judge on that basis. Must try them with Spotify. I mostly stream music through speakers at home.

snj

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#3300071 22-Oct-2024 19:38

It seems that Apple have enabled testing of the feature on the 18.1 RC build that just went out. Anyone opted into the Developer or Public betas with the AirPods able to see if it’s enabled for NZ?

My mum’s looking at the specials that the big box retailers and very tempted to buy them for the feature. Can’t see anything about approvals in NZ but I do wonder if we just piggyback on the FDA approvals which were given recently.

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#3300154 22-Oct-2024 22:25

Found this https://9to5mac.com/2024/10/21/ios-18-1-rc-now-available/ but my AirPods haven’t updated their firmware and can’t force it. Will try again tomorrow. One device has IOS 18.1 and haven’t seen anything new in hearing yet.

Note that I’ve been using my AirPods as aids for TV watching without doing any hearing tests and am very happy with them. Any additional tweaks will only be an improvement on something that is already fantastic IMHO.

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eracode

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#3300174 23-Oct-2024 02:29

May be wrong but I was under the impression that the full hearing aid feature (i.e. including the hearing test etc) was going to be available initially only in the US - and perhaps a few other markets. It had to be approved by the FDA which was received last month. Maybe it needs similar OK in other jurisdictions.

My point is, I thought it wasn’t necessarily going to be available in NZ immediately on release of iOS 18.1.

I saw this story on Cult of Mac yesterday.

Edit: Just found this IMO very interesting story on CNet.

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eracode

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#3300183 23-Oct-2024 07:27

Wasn't looking for it but just saw this 9to5Mac story on country availability - initially US and Canada only.

Will be very disappointing if it doesn't come here.

Edit: The original story linked above has just been updated and now says:

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that the Hearing Test and Hearing Aid features would only be available in the United States and Canada. This is incorrect. Those features will be available in more than 100 countries and regions, including the U.S., Germany, and Japan.

We’ve updated the story reflect that Hearing Protection is the only feature limited to the US and Canada.

Yay - there's hope for us yet.

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Eva888

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#3300262 23-Oct-2024 09:50

Updated both my phone and iPad to iOS 18.01 Nothing new regarding hearing test.

snj

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#3300327 23-Oct-2024 10:19

eracode:

Yay - there's hope for us yet.

Yeah, last night there were comments on MacRumors that indicated Denmark/etc had it, Apple have been advertising it in many countries including NZ, but not ones that seem to have stricter regulations on 'medical devices' (like Australia), so it seemed likely we'd get it this year unless something went awry.

Eva888:

Updated both my phone and iPad to iOS 18.01 Nothing new regarding hearing test.

Just checking, 18.0.1 or 18.1 Public Beta?

eracode

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#3300332 23-Oct-2024 10:22

@snj 18.1 - being released next week. Selected reviewers have been able to test the hearing aid feature in advance. Also requires an update to AirPods Pro 2 software. I believe it can’t be tested in the 18.1 beta.

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#3300334 23-Oct-2024 10:26

eracode:

@sni 18.1 - being released next week.

Yes, well aware, but the specials from the big boxes are ending probably before it's out (or potentially same time - 29th), as I outlined in my original comment. Thats why I mentioned the RC and was asking if anyone had it and the APP2 to see if it'd been enabled for NZ yet.

tehgerbil

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#3300475 23-Oct-2024 12:36

eracode:

@snj 18.1 - being released next week. Selected reviewers have been able to test the hearing aid feature in advance. Also requires an update to AirPods Pro 2 software. I believe it can’t be tested in the 18.1 beta.

Bizarrely I upgraded to iOS 18.1 beta today (iPhone 13, USB-C Airpods pro 2) and received the prompt to set up my airpods 2 for the new update.

I am not a reviewer, I presume I met some preset parameters for early prod testing perhaps.

Either way, am going to set it up in an hour or so and will report back.

snj

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#3300476 23-Oct-2024 12:41

eracode:

@snj 18.1 - being released next week. Selected reviewers have been able to test the hearing aid feature in advance. Also requires an update to AirPods Pro 2 software. I believe it can’t be tested in the 18.1 beta.

I see you edited. The hearing aid feature is testable in the Release Candidate. See https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/21/ios-18-1-hearing-aid-feature/ and the many comments on their related forum post. Just none confirming NZ. But based on @tehgerbil 's comment it looks like it is.

ben28

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#3300592 23-Oct-2024 16:17

yes, worked on my airpods pro 2 yesterday. I did 2 tests and both tests showed similar results, left ear not so good

ben28

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