It doesn't make sense when tech reviewers with no hearing loss try to review this new feature. However, your detailed and honest review helped me a lot to decide if I can consider these as a viable option for my mild hearing loss. Thanks a bunch 💙
Thank you so much for this. Was considering buying these as I can’t afford the $5000 they want for hearing aids. I’m sold on them now because of your video. Thank you so much!!❤
What would you like next? Would you like a video with the complete set-up instructions for the Apple AirPod Pro 2 as hearing aids. Would you like a livestream session where you can ask questions? Share your thoughts here!
Yes I was hoping this video had the complete set-up instructions! But so far I’m still enjoying the info! Anyhoo I just found you. Came to YT cuz I just got the air pods pro2 to try as my current aids are outdated/not all functions are working. Lastly I just got to part where I was also worried about the pods blocking the whole ear canal and it sounds stuffy. Well then you’ve already confirmed that air pods are just going to be back up if I like them after setting up. Sorry for the rambling. All that to say as video is almost done. I will be subscribing and great info. 💜🐾
Yes, very much needed. There are no instructions, and having a "Quick Reference Card" or "Cheat Sheet" to explain how you set up, and begin using, these devices.
Thank you for your excellent review. I have moderate hearing loss also and am retired, so my Airpod 2 use would be similar to yours, ie. part time. Sounds like a winner. Not much to lose by trying and a lot to possibly gain. Thank you, again. 🙂
You are very welcome! I hope they work out for you. If you’re like me, you may have to give them a few days to adjust to the fit. But I’m very happy with mine. I’m working on a video now that goes through the setup and all of the options. Thanks for your comment!
Hey suggestion: try using one AirPod at a time in transparency mode in environments that have lots of reverberation or extraneous noise. I find that intelligibility improves dramatically. In addition, using one AirPod at a time allows you to charge one AirPod while using the other AirPod. Also, I am using iOS 17 and entered my own audiogram from my audiologist. It dramatically improves all sound. I have used these AirPod pros for over a year as hearing aids. They cost me $20 with a special discount from Chase credit card.
I was going to recommend this. I almost always use them one at a time unless I'm TRYING to cancel out noise. I don't use for healing loss, just to listen to music/videos when others are around. Also, I have tinnitus and usually go to sleep listening to something using one AirPod. I watched the previous video and this one as I'll have family visiting soon including someone who doesn't wear his hearing aids. I'm thinking of an early Xmas present, but I worry about having to be 'tech support' after he leaves.
I got a set of these based on one of your videos. Initially I had some trouble getting the software to work which required a call to Apple support and a series of restarts and re-pairing. That process is not bug-free at this point. Once I got it working I performed the hearing test which concluded I had mild loss. I knew this already but nice to see it confirmed. I then enabled that mode and I now feel like I have super-human hearing. I can pick up and home in on conversations in a crowded room and in noisy settings where others are having trouble I can hear clearly. Now I am not entirely sure how it works but today I was out on the street when a fire engine went by and my wife was holding her ears and I normally would but it wasn't necessary today. It seems like with the high SPL these things actually attenuated the loudness, a form of limiting. But not like muffled earplugs, everything was still very clear. Just not painfully loud. I like quiet to concentrate better so I don't wear these all the time but these do an awesome job for the price.
Thanks for sharing your experience. Considering that this is Apples first go around, I would like to this it will get get better. As an HA wearer as well for many years and someone who is fully immersed in the Apple ecosystem I have often hoped a day Apple and other manufacturers like Bose would finally cross into the HA space and potentially disrupt the HA market enough to cause the like of Widex, Phonak, and others to start thinking outside the box. Thanks for your review.
Excellent conversation. I’m a little older than you and bought hearing aids with an audiologist a number of years ago x2 both in the 3 thousand dollar range with batteries for my mild loss. Fast forward almost 2 years ago I bought a pair of OTC Sony rechargeable. They have a battery life of around 20 hrs. Put them on around 7:30-8am and at midnight they still show 20% left. As you said there are +/- for traditional and OTC. So I will be trying the Pro 2 shortly replacing my older AirPods. My concern is battery life but with the fast charging I’m thinking that when I really don’t need them just popping them into their case even for 15 minutes should get me to bedtime. Bluetooth on the Sony has 2 problems. Clearly on phone conversation for the person on the other end can be spotty and the Bluetooth connection can fade out when I get 2 far way if I leave the iPhone in another room. I know that my current AirPods are superior in both cases and I would think the Pro2 would be the same.
Thanks for sharing your experience with the Sonys. I have been wanting to test those. I will be reviewing a couple of OTC heating aid from a company that is sending them to me now. I really like the AirPods for some situations. My goal is to find a good OTC option to go with the AirPods. Thank you for sharing your experiences !
I received my AirPods Pro 2 two days ago, which I bought because I’m on the fence about the $$$ for hearing aids. I haven’t set everything up yet (I’m still cursing IOS 18.1 for changing photo access again), but coming across your review videos was great. Your comments are very instructive and tell me that I should be getting what I hoped for. Thanks!
Thank you for both of your wonderful videos. I bought these Saturday just AirPods Pro 2 after watching your first video. My hearing is greatly improved but I am getting tinny sounds if I answer a call or walking around with them. I wonder if I received a defective unit? If I can get rid of the static and tinny sound I think this can be a great device. The hearing test worked spot on to an audiologist test I had recently. Thank you so very much🙏💕🙏
Thank you for your compliment. What Mode are you using for your AirPods? I notice that in Transparency mode and even at times in Adaptive mode it picks up a sound like the air conditioning vent and makes it sound strange. You could try “Noise Control Mode and see if it goes away. Does it happen wherever you are, or just at home or other locations?
Thank you for covering this. My wife and I have just ordered ourselves Airpod Pro 2s and will be interested to see whether the hearing aid function is of any use to us. Will be happy to share our experiences. And yes, any help with setup would be most useful!
You’re very welcome! I hope you enjoy your AirPods as much as I do. Please do let me know what you think. Ok mark your vote for a setup video. I think I’ll be doing that.
Great review, well done. TH-cam should have far more of such real world reviews. I'm growing so tired of reviews by people just telling what the next feature will be in ios bla bla. We need more day to day users to shed a light on the good, the bad and the ugly.
Thanks very much for this info. This is just what I need. Already have apple devices iPhone 11, ipad pro 12.9. Will order the iPods. And upgrade to newest software. My loss is mild. My biggest concern is fit in ear. My left ear has been somewhat modified due to skin cancer. Is there any adjustability in fit? Or is it one size fits all. Again thanks. Also enjoyed your first video on this topic. I have subscribed.
Thanks for your comment! There are different sizes of ear tips. Sorry to hear about your skin cancer. A good friend had a skin graft in her face due to that. As I mentioned in the video, I found that different sizes work best for my ears. If you buy them with the Amazon link you do have the option to return them if they don’t work for you. Good luck, and thanks for subscribing!
@@AwCrap-Tech You are. Welcome and I have fwd these two videos to a friend that will like this. And yes, a video on how to set up and use would be nice for us at least some what technically challenged.
Thank you for your honest review! I have high frequency hearing loss in one ear and low in the other, neither super severe but my XLH will get me there in the end. I only have medicare and it only will pay so much for hearing aids. When I heard about the airpods pro 2 I was hopeful that they could be of use but didnt want to get them until I had found someone who had hearing loss and used hearing aids gave an honest review, and then I found your initial video then this follow up. I ordered mine friday and they will be here tomorrow :) Looking forward to using them especially as I have a cyndi lauper concert this month and would love to be able to hear things properly!
Excellent info. I can hear but have trouble understanding some conversations, especially when they are on the phone or when people are walking away from me. I have come to the conclusion that I must lip read to a great extent. I find that I rely on captioning on the TV. Anyway, I have some older AirPods but am going to give the new ones a try. Thanks so much for your thoughtful and honest discussion. Much appreciated.
I saw your video, and was excited to buy the AirPods Pro 2, and had all the updated software, only to find that Apple was forced to disable the hearing aid function on these AirPods in Canada, at least in my province. It seems that I'm not allowed to make decisions about my own hearing health. Once I discovered this, I returned the Air Pods the very next day.
Even without the Hearing Test functionality in iOS 18.1, you can still customize the AirPods Pro 2 to work as hearing aids if you have the result of an Audiogram (like the graph shown at 1:55) from a hearing test conducted by an Audiologist. You can go to Settings > Airpods Pro > Accessibility > Audio Accessibility Settings > Headphone Accommodations > Custom Audio Setup and scan the Audiogram with your phone camera.
That is a huge disappointment. I thought this might be an option for my 95 year old mother. She had her hearing aids stolen when she was in the hospital earlier this month. Yes, in Canada it seems that you can't even buy over the counter hearing aids at Costco. (or anywhere else)
Interesting that you said you will still be using both AirPodsPro2 and your hearing aids. I am debating if these will work for me well enough so I can return my Jabra to Costco as I am still in the trial timeframe.
There are times when either my ears are sore from the AirPorts or when having the posts visible may be distracting or when the AirPods might fall out, when it is more convenient to wear traditional hearing aids… but I don’t expect that I will stick with the Rextons. I’m not happy with them. As a reaction to my videos, another OTC hearing aid company contacted me and sent me their two models. Just in early tests they seem to work better than the Rextons but much less expensive than any of the Costco brands. I will post an update soon, after I’ve fully tested them.
Where you able to transfer your equalization curve/settings to the Airpods so that in transparency mode they are amplifying the correct frequencies for your hearing loss or does the EQ only work with material sent to the Airpods from your phone.
By “equalization curve” are you referring to the results of a hearing test? If you are talking about having the AirPods adapte to the frequencies where you have hearing loss, that’s the whole purpose of a hearing aid and of the hearing aid features of the AirPod Pro 2. The hearing test within the settings of your iPhone is for that reason, and it does affect all three modes, transparency and adaptive for hearing the outside world and noise cancellation for your iPhone listening if you’ve told it to apply those adjustments to media. When I enabled that, the difference was impressive.
Yes I have AirPod pro not pro 2. As soon as I upgraded my iPad to 18.1 The hearing test and hearing assistance popped up. I turned it on and I could hear my footsteps. Dogs a mile away etc. now if I can figure out hot to turn it off
One research paper I once read, suggested that Tinnitus has the same underlying cause as phanton limb pain in amputees, involving the limbic? system, it suggested that the brain is producing a signal in the absence of normal sound.
An excellent review. I would like to know if they would be useable with a Bluetooth connection to your computer for editing the audio on your TH-cam videos.
They are Apple devices, the pairing mode to non-Apple kit is very clunky by comparison, the quality is not so good, and the battery life suffers. My advice, if you want to try AirPods get a compatible cheap iPad or iPhone. She's already using the right tools for the job.
Adaptive mode will turn noise canceling on if the environment breaks a certain decibel limit. It’s trying to hit a balance between your hearing profile and hearing protection. (So at times this 2 things won’t exactly see eye to eye)
My understanding was that transparency mode also blocks loud sounds unless you change the setting to turn that off. Adaptive tries to block other sounds that aren’t part of conversation in front of the person. But I still have difficulty with some conversation in adaptive mode , so I leave it on transparency if I’m not listening to media. Thanks for your comment!
@@AwCrap-Techis my comment blocked? Seems it is. Apples website states hearing protection is less significant in transparency mode then in the other modes. Activate later and is less obvious. (At 100db) Transparency mode provides 11-15 decibels (dB) of attenuation (or the amount of sound reduced). Use this mode when you want to maintain situational awareness, like at a concert or a sporting event. Adaptive mode provides 25-29 dB of attenuation. Choose this mode when sound levels vary or are unpredictable, like with city traffic or while commuting. (Believe TH-cam was blocking my link to apples website so seems I can’t post that here)
@@treymiller5736I saw your previous message and replied. You mentioned that Adaptive mode provided some hearing protection. Sorry if I didn’t address that fully. It’s hard to carry on serious conversations in these comments. If you want to explain more, you can use the Contact option on the AwCrap.tech website. Thanks
@@treymiller5736 My experience with trying out the adaptive mode, which is sometimes called adaptive noise, and at other times called adaptive audio, is that it does nothing. It eliminates the hearing aid function, But still allows media and phone control.
@@iowawilliam go watch some fireworks with people mildly talking. You will see it changing modes every 3 seconds, firework pops straight to noise canceling but 3 seconds after it will start popping back up to transparency. In most environments however it doesn’t do much.
I like the pace you speak in the video,it help when I needed to lip reading. Does the AirPod adapt to the test record or you has to adjust the setting on your own? Thank you 🙏🏻
Thank you! It makes me happy to hear my pace helps you lip-read. I’m not sure what you mean by “test record” are you talking about using the AirPods mics when recording? I do want to try that and compare it to the iPhone’s mic. I appreciate your comment.
@vvvunalex On TH-cam on every device I've seen you can change the speed. You can go to 0.25, 0.5, or 0.75 speed if someone speaks too fast for you (and if you don't mind the sound being odd.)
At the age of 64, I have still been blessed with good hearing, but it was very interesting to hear a review from someone who actually wears hearing aids. Thank you for your honest review. 🕊️🫶 There is one thing important which was not mentioned in your video. In order to use the hearing aid functions, your AirPods Pro 2 should have the latest firmware installed on them. They need to be at version 7B19 or newer, which was just updated last week. So, if you purchase a new set of AirPods Pro 2 which have been sitting on the store shelf for a while, or you already have a pair, they might not be updated yet. Instructions on how to update the firmware of any AirPods model can be found all over the place on TH-cam.
Thank you for the compliment! And an excellent point about checking the firmware version. I’m putting together a video on setting up the AirPods Pro 2 for hearing aid use and will make sure to include that!
I hope Apple get to see this video as it is a rich source of info. Having Airpod Pros double up as Hearing Devices is a game changer. Alisha, did the Airpods mitigate or even eliminate your tinnitus. Can you talk a little about that please. Also did you use your Air pods 2 in different contexts such as: calling friends, listening to various types of music, using one Airpod, to name just. a few few. Thank you for your analysis.
Great ideas! Regarding tinnitus, I have used the “background sounds” function and it seems to give the same calming effect to my tinnitus as the function that was built into my old hearing aids. I don’t know if the effect is persistent after using that function. I’m hoping to find a therapist who deals with cognitive behavioral therapy for tinnitus. I was tempted to include a long discussion of my thoughts on tinnitus, but decided it would be best to talk to a professional first. As far as the other questions, I have used the AirPods on phone conversations, and it had helped significantly. It seems to cause a brief lag in making the initial connection, but worked great after that. But part of that lag could have to do with my use of InnoCaption to create captions of my calls (I have a video I created about that). The AirPods are fantastic for all types of music I’ve tried (jazz, R&B, classic rock, etc). I will make a note of your questions, for follow-up videos. I’m working on a video on how to set them up for hearing aid use. Thanks again!
I had the dinner party here that got quite loud. Based on how well the adaptive mode is, I believe they’ll be much better than my hearing aids in those settings. I’ll know more in the coming days. I probably won’t put out another long review, but will do some short videos about specific experiences. Thanks for your question!
Great video. My mum has Phonak Audeo L90-RT hearing aids but always struggles to hear conversations at family gatherings. I have been looking around for possible solutions (that don't cost an arm and a leg), so we will definitely give Airpods Pro a try. It would be great to know if you find the Conversation Boost feature on iPhone effective? I've also wondered if there's a way to connect multiple lavalier/lapel microphones to the iPhone via a receiver, and provide a combined stream of audio to the Airpods? Hearing aid specialists like Rogers/Phonak do offer table/lapel microphones, but they're very expensive and seem somewhat limited. There must be a way to cobble together a decent solution at a much lower cost using modern consumer tech?
Thanks for the compliment! Great questions also. My mind is racing with options. I’m going to have to do a test. There is a Live Listen option that uses the iPhone as the microphone. Now if you hook multiple lav mics to the phone, theoretically it should allow her to hear everyone. I have a way to test it out with the DJI wireless mic two that is a but it can. Be connected to the phone and has two wireless mics.
Great video. I think AirPods have an “off” mode that disables transparency and noise cancellation functions. Transparency doesn’t simply allow natural sound through; it pipes in ambient sound that seems natural and not robotic.
Thanks for being here and for your feedback! I’ll look into that. I know they have the ability to disable features. Some countries like Canada don’t allow the Hearing Aid properties, so they have the ability to turn all of it off.
For the most part. Once I got the right tips and seated them correctly, that rarely happens. In fact the last time was when I was taking my shirt off at night, but that’s to be expected.
@@AwCrap-Tech Good. Maybe I will give the Pro 2 a try. I have the original Pro but only used them when I am stationary like at my computer. I gave up walking around with them. My wife lost hers somewhere along the line.
@@AwCrap-Tech May I suggest Comply Foam: memory foam tips. I could not get my first gen air pods pros to stay in my ears with supplied tips. Took a chance on Comply Foam and am very happy. I no longer worry about them falling out BTW: I also need 2 sizes; medium for left and large for right. I don't always get a perfect seal, even with the memory foam. I wonder if I need even larger tips for my right ear. There are a lot of gadgets, hooks and other types of tips to help Air pods stay in and fit better: Sadly, most do not fit in the charging case. You can even get custom moulded tips. Again don't fit in case so need to be removed when charging. I am totally blind. I got Air pods Pro because there are apps that use Spatial audio to give information about my surroundings. Very helpful. I only have slight hearing loss. I haven't had an audio gram in many years. I know it is time to get one as I am 73 years old.
Hi! Is your IPhone the microphone and does cell phone’s location (e.g., pocket, on restaurant bar or table, etc., impact the performance of IPad 2s? Thanks, Bill
Hi Bill, thanks for your questions. First, no the iPhone is not the microphone for the AirPod Pro 2 hearing aid function. They have their own microphones in them (both right and left). There is an option to make your iPhone the mic, but you would have to select that. It is the default.
Could you possibly try them with the Apple TV? Personally, I find this is a brilliant use case. I can listen to a show or movie quite loud without disturbing others. My father-in-law has to play the TV at a crazy high volume level, maybe these would help for him hear speech in TV shows? Especially with the Enhance Dialog setting in the Apple TV.
I don’t have an Apple TV device, or I would try it. I’ve heard the same from another viewer. I have had similar results watching videos on my iPad. It’s somewhat odd, because I would swear others nearby would hear it, but they don’t. Thanks so much for your feedback!
They will update automatically without any input as long as they are in the case and near the phone. It may take several minutes and you’re not giving any notification of it happening.
I have Costco’s Jabra Enhance which work well but I can’t stand to listen to music on them, using Sony overtheear noise cancelling wireless headphones. Are you saying that I could hear conversations and listen to music with the same device?
thanks for the review. One problem I'm having I absolutely cannot figure out is that the ipod hearing aid feature will just randomly cut in and out. So one second I have great hearing aids than the sound will go away and I can't hear anything, then they fade back in. Also, if I cough or if there's any "loud" noise, they cut out for a few seconds, which makes me miss things. I'll be having conversation with someone, understanding every word, then they cut out and now I'm not hearing anything and I feel like an idiot because i just missed the last few sentences. What makes it worse is when they cut out, it's like having earplugs in, so hearing is even worse than if I didn't have them at all. Anyone know what's going here? Am I using a wrong setting? My settings are transperency. if I use adaptive they almost don't work at all. Also I'm using "conversation boost" . If I don't...the hearing aid function doesn't work at all. My apple hearing test came back moderate loss, so pretty substantial.
What you’re experiencing sounds like my original experience that I attributed to nasal congestion. While there is some of that, I’m finding that initially I was trying to jam them into my ears to wedge them in for fear of them falling out. Since then I’ve found that just making sure you have the right tips and then let them gently hang from your ear. I know it seems like they would drop out easily, but the stay in better that way. If they’re jammed in, the sound gets blocked by your ear. The other issue of sound cutting out when you cough is normal. Any time it thinks you may be talking or engaged in conversation, they sound from your phone is reduced so it won’t interfere. Hope this helps!
@@AwCrap-Tech I appreciate the response. I've tried a whole bunch of different experiments. Including hanging them outside my hear, inside, etc. They just randomly cut out for no reason. When I turn conversation boost off, I get no hearing enhancement at all. They don't work as earing aids at all, despite saying hearing aid feature is on. And it doesn't matter what amplification I have it set at. My Db loss was in the mid 40s both ears, so it's not like have no hearing loss. I've also reset everything and retook the hearing test multiple times. I can't anything in google search, so I feel like it's a really simple and stupid problem with some setting that I have screwed up somehow. Also both the phone and ipods have latest firmware.
@@OregonPacificRailroad It sounds like you have "Conversation Awareness" turned on. You can find the setting on your iPhone via Settings > Bluetooth, then tap the "i" icon beside your Airpods. On the next screen, scroll down to the AUDIO section, and you'll see the setting for Conversation Awareness, with a note: "Lowers media volume and reduces background noise when you start speaking to other people". If you toggle that off, the volume should no longer drop when you cough or speak. Hope this helps!
That definitely sounds unusual. Your hearing loss sounds about the same as mine. How is the sound if you’re just listening to music through the AirPods, does that sound drop off as well?
I would try one pair first. Then if you like them but find you need to taken them out to charge at a critical time you could consider a second pair. Good luck.
Thanks for the great review. They are great on planes in noise cancelling mode. No need to remove when climbing/decending. The only sound they don't block is rustly plastic such as sweet wrappers/chip bags, that's my only negative. Be sure to check out Conversation mode too. Doesn't work well for me, but some people like it.
Thank you so much for that information! I will probably be taking a flight in February, but it’s good to get your feedback. I agree about crinkly sounds. It seems lick some quick sharp sounds like tapping a metal bowl get through the noise reduction. I plan to test conversion mode. Thanks again!
Thanks, another helpful video. After buying and FINALLY figuring out how to install and set up, I have used these Airpod Pro 2s for a whole day, working around the house, doing my daily routine. While they will never be as good as high-end prescription HAs (I have Resound), they are very very good as secondary, or situation devices. The main problems with them for me are comfort, they are BIG and make your ears sore if you have smaller ears, and staying connected. So far I have had to re-connect and set them up if I take them out and charge them then put them back in, and usability issues. I have the feeling that Apple is using us as Beta testers... they should have smoothed out how these things work in real life first. Still, I am not sorry I got them, and will continue using them for the several weeks until my Hearing Aids get repaired and set back to me. I am GRATEFUL to have them... at a cost of $250, that's a lot cheaper than the $7500 I paid for my high-end HAs. So thanks, Apple, but please smooth out the kinks.
Thanks for your comment. You make some great points and I agree with you completely! I find I’m getting more accustomed to wearing them for long periods, but it took some time.
Too long! I wish you would summarize your findings. Get to the point please! 19 minutes of rumbling is just too long 🤔😕Sorry I can't watch it even though I am interested of your findings.
It doesn't make sense when tech reviewers with no hearing loss try to review this new feature.
However, your detailed and honest review helped me a lot to decide if I can consider these as a viable option for my mild hearing loss.
Thanks a bunch
💙
I appreciate that! Have a good day!
Thank you so much for this. Was considering buying these as I can’t afford the $5000 they want for hearing aids. I’m sold on them now because of your video. Thank you so much!!❤
What would you like next? Would you like a video with the complete set-up instructions for the Apple AirPod Pro 2 as hearing aids. Would you like a livestream session where you can ask questions? Share your thoughts here!
That would be great, thank you ❤
To answer your question, yes I would love a video with the complete set-up instructions for the Apple Air Pod Pro 2 as hearing aids and thank you. 😊
Yes I was hoping this video had the complete set-up instructions! But so far I’m still enjoying the info!
Anyhoo I just found you. Came to YT cuz I just got the air pods pro2 to try as my current aids are outdated/not all functions are working.
Lastly I just got to part where I was also worried about the pods blocking the whole ear canal and it sounds stuffy. Well then you’ve already confirmed that air pods are just going to be back up if I like them after setting up.
Sorry for the rambling. All that to say as video is almost done. I will be subscribing and great info. 💜🐾
Yes, very much needed. There are no instructions, and having a "Quick Reference Card" or "Cheat Sheet" to explain how you set up, and begin using, these devices.
Thank you for your excellent review. I have moderate hearing loss also and am retired, so my Airpod 2 use would be similar to yours, ie. part time. Sounds like a winner. Not much to lose by trying and a lot to possibly gain. Thank you, again. 🙂
You are very welcome! I hope they work out for you. If you’re like me, you may have to give them a few days to adjust to the fit. But I’m very happy with mine. I’m working on a video now that goes through the setup and all of the options. Thanks for your comment!
Love the context you give in your videos. Thoughtful and useful content. Also enjoy the humor! Great job!
Thanks Dave
Thank you for posting this helpful video
You are very welcome!
Thank You, that was a very interesting and honest report back on your experience with these devices x ;-)
Glad you enjoyed it!
Hey suggestion: try using one AirPod at a time in transparency mode in environments that have lots of reverberation or extraneous noise. I find that intelligibility improves dramatically. In addition, using one AirPod at a time allows you to charge one AirPod while using the other AirPod. Also, I am using iOS 17 and entered my own audiogram from my audiologist. It dramatically improves all sound. I have used these AirPod pros for over a year as hearing aids. They cost me $20 with a special discount from Chase credit card.
That is a great idea and I will definitely give it a try!
I was going to recommend this. I almost always use them one at a time unless I'm TRYING to cancel out noise. I don't use for healing loss, just to listen to music/videos when others are around. Also, I have tinnitus and usually go to sleep listening to something using one AirPod. I watched the previous video and this one as I'll have family visiting soon including someone who doesn't wear his hearing aids. I'm thinking of an early Xmas present, but I worry about having to be 'tech support' after he leaves.
@@AwCrap-Tech I'd love a follow up video on how one at a time does in different situations for you. :D
I got a set of these based on one of your videos. Initially I had some trouble getting the software to work which required a call to Apple support and a series of restarts and re-pairing. That process is not bug-free at this point. Once I got it working I performed the hearing test which concluded I had mild loss. I knew this already but nice to see it confirmed. I then enabled that mode and I now feel like I have super-human hearing. I can pick up and home in on conversations in a crowded room and in noisy settings where others are having trouble I can hear clearly.
Now I am not entirely sure how it works but today I was out on the street when a fire engine went by and my wife was holding her ears and I normally would but it wasn't necessary today. It seems like with the high SPL these things actually attenuated the loudness, a form of limiting. But not like muffled earplugs, everything was still very clear. Just not painfully loud.
I like quiet to concentrate better so I don't wear these all the time but these do an awesome job for the price.
I am glad that you have found them to be helpful, thanks for sharing! Yes, they will soften sounds that they believe could be harmful to your hearing.
Thanks for sharing your experience. Considering that this is Apples first go around, I would like to this it will get get better. As an HA wearer as well for many years and someone who is fully immersed in the Apple ecosystem I have often hoped a day Apple and other manufacturers like Bose would finally cross into the HA space and potentially disrupt the HA market enough to cause the like of Widex, Phonak, and others to start thinking outside the box.
Thanks for your review.
Thanks for the feedback, I'm hopeful that this is just the beginning for the tech world!
Fantastic and thorough review of the Airpods Pro 2. I orderedt hem based on your referral.
Thanks! I hope they work out for you as they have for me.
Excellent conversation. I’m a little older than you and bought hearing aids with an audiologist a number of years ago x2 both in the 3 thousand dollar range with batteries for my mild loss. Fast forward almost 2 years ago I bought a pair of OTC Sony rechargeable. They have a battery life of around 20 hrs. Put them on around 7:30-8am and at midnight they still show 20% left. As you said there are +/- for traditional and OTC. So I will be trying the Pro 2 shortly replacing my older AirPods. My concern is battery life but with the fast charging I’m thinking that when I really don’t need them just popping them into their case even for 15 minutes should get me to bedtime. Bluetooth on the Sony has 2 problems. Clearly on phone conversation for the person on the other end can be spotty and the Bluetooth connection can fade out when I get 2 far way if I leave the iPhone in another room. I know that my current AirPods are superior in both cases and I would think the Pro2 would be the same.
Thanks for sharing your experience with the Sonys. I have been wanting to test those. I will be reviewing a couple of OTC heating aid from a company that is sending them to me now. I really like the AirPods for some situations. My goal is to find a good OTC option to go with the AirPods. Thank you for sharing your experiences !
I received my AirPods Pro 2 two days ago, which I bought because I’m on the fence about the $$$ for hearing aids. I haven’t set everything up yet (I’m still cursing IOS 18.1 for changing photo access again), but coming across your review videos was great. Your comments are very instructive and tell me that I should be getting what I hoped for. Thanks!
You are welcome! I am glad you found them helpful. I just posted a video about the setup and settings, or ask here if you have any questions.
Thank you for both of your wonderful videos. I bought these Saturday just AirPods Pro 2 after watching your first video. My hearing is greatly improved but I am getting tinny sounds if I answer a call or walking around with them. I wonder if I received a defective unit? If I can get rid of the static and tinny sound I think this can be a great device. The hearing test worked spot on to an audiologist test I had recently. Thank you so very much🙏💕🙏
Thank you for your compliment. What Mode are you using for your AirPods? I notice that in Transparency mode and even at times in Adaptive mode it picks up a sound like the air conditioning vent and makes it sound strange. You could try “Noise Control Mode and see if it goes away. Does it happen wherever you are, or just at home or other locations?
Thank you I am going to try your suggestion and different locations and will let you know. Thank You So Much🙏💕
There is an adjustment for tone to turn down the brightness.
Thank you for covering this. My wife and I have just ordered ourselves Airpod Pro 2s and will be interested to see whether the hearing aid function is of any use to us. Will be happy to share our experiences. And yes, any help with setup would be most useful!
You’re very welcome! I hope you enjoy your AirPods as much as I do. Please do let me know what you think. Ok mark your vote for a setup video. I think I’ll be doing that.
Great review, well done. TH-cam should have far more of such real world reviews. I'm growing so tired of reviews by people just telling what the next feature will be in ios bla bla. We need more day to day users to shed a light on the good, the bad and the ugly.
Thank you very much! I appreciate your compliment!
Thanks very much for this info. This is just what I need. Already have apple devices iPhone 11, ipad pro 12.9. Will order the iPods. And upgrade to newest software. My loss is mild. My biggest concern is fit in ear. My left ear has been somewhat modified due to skin cancer. Is there any adjustability in fit? Or is it one size fits all. Again thanks. Also enjoyed your first video on this topic. I have subscribed.
Thanks for your comment! There are different sizes of ear tips. Sorry to hear about your skin cancer. A good friend had a skin graft in her face due to that. As I mentioned in the video, I found that different sizes work best for my ears. If you buy them with the Amazon link you do have the option to return them if they don’t work for you. Good luck, and thanks for subscribing!
@@AwCrap-Tech You are. Welcome and I have fwd these two videos to a friend that will like this. And yes, a video on how to set up and use would be nice for us at least some what technically challenged.
@@AwCrap-Tech I have purchased a pair. Will up date you with the results. i have also order a set of foam tips.
Thank you for your honest review! I have high frequency hearing loss in one ear and low in the other, neither super severe but my XLH will get me there in the end. I only have medicare and it only will pay so much for hearing aids. When I heard about the airpods pro 2 I was hopeful that they could be of use but didnt want to get them until I had found someone who had hearing loss and used hearing aids gave an honest review, and then I found your initial video then this follow up. I ordered mine friday and they will be here tomorrow :) Looking forward to using them especially as I have a cyndi lauper concert this month and would love to be able to hear things properly!
That is so great to hear! I hope you enjoy them! Let me know how it goes at the concert.
Excellent info. I can hear but have trouble understanding some conversations, especially when they are on the phone or when people are walking away from me. I have come to the conclusion that I must lip read to a great extent. I find that I rely on captioning on the TV. Anyway, I have some older AirPods but am going to give the new ones a try. Thanks so much for your thoughtful and honest discussion. Much appreciated.
You’re very welcome! I hope they work out for you.
Awesome video, great background
Thank you so much, Robert!
I saw your video, and was excited to buy the AirPods Pro 2, and had all the updated software, only to find that Apple was forced to disable the hearing aid function on these AirPods in Canada, at least in my province. It seems that I'm not allowed to make decisions about my own hearing health. Once I discovered this, I returned the Air Pods the very next day.
Even without the Hearing Test functionality in iOS 18.1, you can still customize the AirPods Pro 2 to work as hearing aids if you have the result of an Audiogram (like the graph shown at 1:55) from a hearing test conducted by an Audiologist. You can go to Settings > Airpods Pro > Accessibility > Audio Accessibility Settings > Headphone Accommodations > Custom Audio Setup and scan the Audiogram with your phone camera.
I am sorry to hear that the hearing feature was not available in your province. That just doesn’t sound right!
That is a huge disappointment. I thought this might be an option for my 95 year old mother. She had her hearing aids stolen when she was in the hospital earlier this month.
Yes, in Canada it seems that you can't even buy over the counter hearing aids at Costco. (or anywhere else)
Great information, thanks!
Harsh to blame Apple for your Government’s stupidity!
Interesting that you said you will still be using both AirPodsPro2 and your hearing aids. I am debating if these will work for me well enough so I can return my Jabra to Costco as I am still in the trial timeframe.
There are times when either my ears are sore from the AirPorts or when having the posts visible may be distracting or when the AirPods might fall out, when it is more convenient to wear traditional hearing aids… but I don’t expect that I will stick with the Rextons. I’m not happy with them. As a reaction to my videos, another OTC hearing aid company contacted me and sent me their two models. Just in early tests they seem to work better than the Rextons but much less expensive than any of the Costco brands. I will post an update soon, after I’ve fully tested them.
Short answer: no
Long answer: meh. Maybe.
You are a wonderful person 🙏💕❤️
Thank you! And you are a wonderful person to say such sweet things!❤️
Where you able to transfer your equalization curve/settings to the Airpods so that in transparency mode they are amplifying the correct frequencies for your hearing loss or does the EQ only work with material sent to the Airpods from your phone.
By “equalization curve” are you referring to the results of a hearing test? If you are talking about having the AirPods adapte to the frequencies where you have hearing loss, that’s the whole purpose of a hearing aid and of the hearing aid features of the AirPod Pro 2. The hearing test within the settings of your iPhone is for that reason, and it does affect all three modes, transparency and adaptive for hearing the outside world and noise cancellation for your iPhone listening if you’ve told it to apply those adjustments to media. When I enabled that, the difference was impressive.
Yes I have AirPod pro not pro 2. As soon as I upgraded my iPad to 18.1 The hearing test and hearing assistance popped up. I turned it on and I could hear my footsteps. Dogs a mile away etc. now if I can figure out hot to turn it off
Thanks for your comment! I’ll look into how you can turn that off. That’s interesting.
One research paper I once read, suggested that Tinnitus has the same underlying cause as phanton limb pain in amputees, involving the limbic? system, it suggested that the brain is producing a signal in the absence of normal sound.
That’s a very interesting theory.
An excellent review. I would like to know if they would be useable with a Bluetooth connection to your computer for editing the audio on your TH-cam videos.
They are Apple devices, the pairing mode to non-Apple kit is very clunky by comparison, the quality is not so good, and the battery life suffers. My advice, if you want to try AirPods get a compatible cheap iPad or iPhone. She's already using the right tools for the job.
I'll look into that for you and make a separate short video about it! Thanks for the compliment and your great idea!
Adaptive mode will turn noise canceling on if the environment breaks a certain decibel limit. It’s trying to hit a balance between your hearing profile and hearing protection. (So at times this 2 things won’t exactly see eye to eye)
My understanding was that transparency mode also blocks loud sounds unless you change the setting to turn that off. Adaptive tries to block other sounds that aren’t part of conversation in front of the person. But I still have difficulty with some conversation in adaptive mode , so I leave it on transparency if I’m not listening to media.
Thanks for your comment!
@@AwCrap-Techis my comment blocked? Seems it is.
Apples website states hearing protection is less significant in transparency mode then in the other modes. Activate later and is less obvious.
(At 100db)
Transparency mode provides 11-15 decibels (dB) of attenuation (or the amount of sound reduced). Use this mode when you want to maintain situational awareness, like at a concert or a sporting event.
Adaptive mode provides 25-29 dB of attenuation. Choose this mode when sound levels vary or are unpredictable, like with city traffic or while commuting.
(Believe TH-cam was blocking my link to apples website so seems I can’t post that here)
@@treymiller5736I saw your previous message and replied. You mentioned that Adaptive mode provided some hearing protection. Sorry if I didn’t address that fully. It’s hard to carry on serious conversations in these comments. If you want to explain more, you can use the Contact option on the AwCrap.tech website. Thanks
@@treymiller5736 My experience with trying out the adaptive mode, which is sometimes called adaptive noise, and at other times called adaptive audio, is that it does nothing. It eliminates the hearing aid function, But still allows media and phone control.
@@iowawilliam go watch some fireworks with people mildly talking. You will see it changing modes every 3 seconds, firework pops straight to noise canceling but 3 seconds after it will start popping back up to transparency.
In most environments however it doesn’t do much.
I like the pace you speak in the video,it help when I needed to lip reading.
Does the AirPod adapt to the test record or you has to adjust the setting on your own?
Thank you 🙏🏻
Thank you! It makes me happy to hear my pace helps you lip-read. I’m not sure what you mean by “test record” are you talking about using the AirPods mics when recording? I do want to try that and compare it to the iPhone’s mic. I appreciate your comment.
@vvvunalex On TH-cam on every device I've seen you can change the speed. You can go to 0.25, 0.5, or 0.75 speed if someone speaks too fast for you (and if you don't mind the sound being odd.)
At the age of 64, I have still been blessed with good hearing, but it was very interesting to hear a review from someone who actually wears hearing aids. Thank you for your honest review. 🕊️🫶
There is one thing important which was not mentioned in your video. In order to use the hearing aid functions, your AirPods Pro 2 should have the latest firmware installed on them. They need to be at version 7B19 or newer, which was just updated last week.
So, if you purchase a new set of AirPods Pro 2 which have been sitting on the store shelf for a while, or you already have a pair, they might not be updated yet. Instructions on how to update the firmware of any AirPods model can be found all over the place on TH-cam.
Thank you for the compliment! And an excellent point about checking the firmware version. I’m putting together a video on setting up the AirPods Pro 2 for hearing aid use and will make sure to include that!
@@AwCrap-TechThat’s good! Thank you. 🕊️🫶
I hope Apple get to see this video as it is a rich source of info.
Having Airpod Pros double up as Hearing Devices is a game changer.
Alisha, did the Airpods mitigate or even eliminate your tinnitus.
Can you talk a little about that please.
Also did you use your Air pods 2 in different contexts such as: calling friends,
listening to various types of music, using one Airpod, to name just. a few few.
Thank you for your analysis.
Great ideas! Regarding tinnitus, I have used the “background sounds” function and it seems to give the same calming effect to my tinnitus as the function that was built into my old hearing aids. I don’t know if the effect is persistent after using that function. I’m hoping to find a therapist who deals with cognitive behavioral therapy for tinnitus. I was tempted to include a long discussion of my thoughts on tinnitus, but decided it would be best to talk to a professional first. As far as the other questions, I have used the AirPods on phone conversations, and it had helped significantly. It seems to cause a brief lag in making the initial connection, but worked great after that. But part of that lag could have to do with my use of InnoCaption to create captions of my calls (I have a video I created about that). The AirPods are fantastic for all types of music I’ve tried (jazz, R&B, classic rock, etc). I will make a note of your questions, for follow-up videos. I’m working on a video on how to set them up for hearing aid use. Thanks again!
Did you try them for conversations in noisy environments such as restaurants and how did they work compared to traditional hearing aids? Thanks.
I had the dinner party here that got quite loud. Based on how well the adaptive mode is, I believe they’ll be much better than my hearing aids in those settings. I’ll know more in the coming days. I probably won’t put out another long review, but will do some short videos about specific experiences.
Thanks for your question!
Great video. My mum has Phonak Audeo L90-RT hearing aids but always struggles to hear conversations at family gatherings. I have been looking around for possible solutions (that don't cost an arm and a leg), so we will definitely give Airpods Pro a try. It would be great to know if you find the Conversation Boost feature on iPhone effective? I've also wondered if there's a way to connect multiple lavalier/lapel microphones to the iPhone via a receiver, and provide a combined stream of audio to the Airpods? Hearing aid specialists like Rogers/Phonak do offer table/lapel microphones, but they're very expensive and seem somewhat limited. There must be a way to cobble together a decent solution at a much lower cost using modern consumer tech?
Thanks for the compliment! Great questions also. My mind is racing with options. I’m going to have to do a test. There is a Live Listen option that uses the iPhone as the microphone. Now if you hook multiple lav mics to the phone, theoretically it should allow her to hear everyone. I have a way to test it out with the DJI wireless mic two that is a but it can. Be connected to the phone and has two wireless mics.
@@AwCrap-Tech Thanks! Looking forward to your future videos :)
Great video. I think AirPods have an “off” mode that disables transparency and noise cancellation functions. Transparency doesn’t simply allow natural sound through; it pipes in ambient sound that seems natural and not robotic.
Thanks for being here and for your feedback! I’ll look into that. I know they have the ability to disable features. Some countries like Canada don’t allow the Hearing Aid properties, so they have the ability to turn all of it off.
Were you able to solve the Pro2 falling out?
By the way, two excellent videos. Thank you.
For the most part. Once I got the right tips and seated them correctly, that rarely happens. In fact the last time was when I was taking my shirt off at night, but that’s to be expected.
@@AwCrap-Tech Good. Maybe I will give the Pro 2 a try. I have the original Pro but only used them when I am stationary like at my computer. I gave up walking around with them. My wife lost hers somewhere along the line.
@@AwCrap-Tech May I suggest Comply Foam: memory foam tips. I could not get my first gen air pods pros to stay in my ears with supplied tips. Took a chance on Comply Foam and am very happy. I no longer worry about them falling out
BTW: I also need 2 sizes; medium for left and large for right. I don't always get a perfect seal, even with the memory foam. I wonder if I need even larger tips for my right ear.
There are a lot of gadgets, hooks and other types of tips to help Air pods stay in and fit better: Sadly, most do not fit in the charging case.
You can even get custom moulded tips. Again don't fit in case so need to be removed when charging.
I am totally blind. I got Air pods Pro because there are apps that use Spatial audio to give information about my surroundings. Very helpful.
I only have slight hearing loss. I haven't had an audio gram in many years. I know it is time to get one as I am 73 years old.
Hi! Is your IPhone the microphone and does cell phone’s location (e.g., pocket, on restaurant bar or table, etc., impact the performance of IPad 2s? Thanks, Bill
Hi Bill, thanks for your questions. First, no the iPhone is not the microphone for the AirPod Pro 2 hearing aid function. They have their own microphones in them (both right and left). There is an option to make your iPhone the mic, but you would have to select that. It is the default.
Could you possibly try them with the Apple TV? Personally, I find this is a brilliant use case. I can listen to a show or movie quite loud without disturbing others. My father-in-law has to play the TV at a crazy high volume level, maybe these would help for him hear speech in TV shows? Especially with the Enhance Dialog setting in the Apple TV.
I don’t have an Apple TV device, or I would try it. I’ve heard the same from another viewer. I have had similar results watching videos on my iPad. It’s somewhat odd, because I would swear others nearby would hear it, but they don’t.
Thanks so much for your feedback!
They will update automatically without any input as long as they are in the case and near the phone. It may take several minutes and you’re not giving any notification of it happening.
My AirPods connect via Bluetooth with my Roku streaming stick: works very well. I can only assume the same for Apple TV.
Caveat, as of Nov 1 the audio test is NOT available in Canada as it needs to pass regulatory ...
I hope it passes and opens up for you there.
Hey Tommy, I just took a look at your channel. Fantastic job! Just subscribed. Maybe I can learn something from you!
I have Costco’s Jabra Enhance which work well but I can’t stand to listen to music on them, using Sony overtheear noise cancelling wireless headphones. Are you saying that I could hear conversations and listen to music with the same device?
Exactly, I wouldn’t get rid of the Jabras, but it’s a great addition.
$189! I go nuts over mine.
thanks for the review. One problem I'm having I absolutely cannot figure out is that the ipod hearing aid feature will just randomly cut in and out. So one second I have great hearing aids than the sound will go away and I can't hear anything, then they fade back in. Also, if I cough or if there's any "loud" noise, they cut out for a few seconds, which makes me miss things. I'll be having conversation with someone, understanding every word, then they cut out and now I'm not hearing anything and I feel like an idiot because i just missed the last few sentences. What makes it worse is when they cut out, it's like having earplugs in, so hearing is even worse than if I didn't have them at all. Anyone know what's going here? Am I using a wrong setting? My settings are transperency. if I use adaptive they almost don't work at all. Also I'm using "conversation boost" . If I don't...the hearing aid function doesn't work at all. My apple hearing test came back moderate loss, so pretty substantial.
What you’re experiencing sounds like my original experience that I attributed to nasal congestion. While there is some of that, I’m finding that initially I was trying to jam them into my ears to wedge them in for fear of them falling out. Since then I’ve found that just making sure you have the right tips and then let them gently hang from your ear. I know it seems like they would drop out easily, but the stay in better that way. If they’re jammed in, the sound gets blocked by your ear. The other issue of sound cutting out when you cough is normal. Any time it thinks you may be talking or engaged in conversation, they sound from your phone is reduced so it won’t interfere. Hope this helps!
@@AwCrap-Tech I appreciate the response. I've tried a whole bunch of different experiments. Including hanging them outside my hear, inside, etc. They just randomly cut out for no reason. When I turn conversation boost off, I get no hearing enhancement at all. They don't work as earing aids at all, despite saying hearing aid feature is on. And it doesn't matter what amplification I have it set at. My Db loss was in the mid 40s both ears, so it's not like have no hearing loss. I've also reset everything and retook the hearing test multiple times. I can't anything in google search, so I feel like it's a really simple and stupid problem with some setting that I have screwed up somehow. Also both the phone and ipods have latest firmware.
@@OregonPacificRailroad It sounds like you have "Conversation Awareness" turned on. You can find the setting on your iPhone via Settings > Bluetooth, then tap the "i" icon beside your Airpods. On the next screen, scroll down to the AUDIO section, and you'll see the setting for Conversation Awareness, with a note: "Lowers media volume and reduces background noise when you start speaking to other people". If you toggle that off, the volume should no longer drop when you cough or speak. Hope this helps!
That definitely sounds unusual. Your hearing loss sounds about the same as mine. How is the sound if you’re just listening to music through the AirPods, does that sound drop off as well?
If the AirPods are not too expensive then one cna just get 2 or more sets …. To always have one available for all day uses …. Maybe 🙏🏽
I would try one pair first. Then if you like them but find you need to taken them out to charge at a critical time you could consider a second pair. Good luck.
On my iPhone 16, your chapters are not showing up. I believe you have to start off with: 0:00 and follow that format.
Thanks! I’ll look into that!
That’s odd. I just checked on my iPhone 14 and I get clickable chapters. I did start them at 0 as 00:00
Thanks for the great review. They are great on planes in noise cancelling mode. No need to remove when climbing/decending. The only sound they don't block is rustly plastic such as sweet wrappers/chip bags, that's my only negative. Be sure to check out Conversation mode too. Doesn't work well for me, but some people like it.
Thank you so much for that information! I will probably be taking a flight in February, but it’s good to get your feedback. I agree about crinkly sounds. It seems lick some quick sharp sounds like tapping a metal bowl get through the noise reduction. I plan to test conversion mode. Thanks again!
I thought it was very informative
Thank you for watching!
Thanks, another helpful video. After buying and FINALLY figuring out how to install and set up, I have used these Airpod Pro 2s for a whole day, working around the house, doing my daily routine. While they will never be as good as high-end prescription HAs (I have Resound), they are very very good as secondary, or situation devices. The main problems with them for me are comfort, they are BIG and make your ears sore if you have smaller ears, and staying connected. So far I have had to re-connect and set them up if I take them out and charge them then put them back in, and usability issues. I have the feeling that Apple is using us as Beta testers... they should have smoothed out how these things work in real life first. Still, I am not sorry I got them, and will continue using them for the several weeks until my Hearing Aids get repaired and set back to me. I am GRATEFUL to have them... at a cost of $250, that's a lot cheaper than the $7500 I paid for my high-end HAs. So thanks, Apple, but please smooth out the kinks.
Thanks for your comment. You make some great points and I agree with you completely! I find I’m getting more accustomed to wearing them for long periods, but it took some time.
They can’t be comfortable ..and you have white sticks coming from your ears
They take some getting used to.
They are comfortable, and they have white sticks.
Too long! I wish you would summarize your findings. Get to the point please! 19 minutes of rumbling is just too long 🤔😕Sorry I can't watch it even though I am interested of your findings.
There’s a chapter guide in the description. You can skip directly to the findings if you wish.
Did you mean rambling? Did you ever hear " If you can't say something nice"?
Couldn’t agree more😊