Airpods And Airpods Pro Have Live Listen
There is a setting on your AirPods called Live Listen. It allows you to listen to the sounds around you and have them amplified as if they were coming through your speakers. Unfortunately, the AirPods do not have a microphone in them like regular hearing aids.
Instead, you need to connect your AirPods to your iPhone. Your phone picks up sounds the same way it would if you were talking on speakerphone. It then transmits the sounds it picks up into your earphones.
Hearing Aids Vs Airpods Pro
The bottom line is you may need a more robust hearing solution than what an AirPods Pro can offer.
In a decision with enormous implications for people with hearing loss, the price of hearing aids is going to start falling very soon. The Food and Drug Administration has given the green light to over-the-counter hearing aids that do not require a prescription or a medical exam as they did previously,
However, these still hover around the $2,000 to $3,000 mark right now versus $249 for AirPods Pro. Most tend to not be covered by insurance.
Here is how over-the-counter hearing aids compare to AirPods Pro:
Device |
Apple’s Airpods Pro Might Be An Inexpensive Solution To Your Hearing Loss
It may be both presumptuous and too early to say that Apple’s AirPods Pro are both a revolutionary and an inexpensive way to solve humanity’s hearing loss problems, but a recent medical experiment has electrified the global medical community with its implications for those with auditory impairments.
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How To Use Airpods As Hearing Aids
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA. Nicole Levine is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. She has more than 20 years of experience creating technical documentation and leading support teams at major web hosting and software companies. Nicole also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Portland State University and teaches composition, fiction-writing, and zine-making at various institutions. This article has been viewed 46,490 times.Learn more…
This wikiHow teaches you how to use your Apple AirPods as a hearing assistant by enabling Live Listening. Live Listening removes the extra background noise from the sounds closest to your iPhone or iPads microphone, delivering only the speakers voice through to your AirPods. Youll need iOS 12 or later to use Live Listening.
Transparency Mode & Headphone Accommodations

A recent addition among the ways AirPods can help with your hearing is the AirPods Pros Transparency Mode. While using this mode outside noise is amplified and boosted, leading to much higher environmental awareness. Its so effective that it can often feel like you arent even wearing earbuds anymore! When combined with Headphone Audio customization in the settings, the level of sound amplification becomes immediately noticeable.
Speaking of Headphone Audio customization, the new iOS 14 update included many options for fine tuning your listening experience. To access, on your iPhone go toSettings -> Accessibility -> Audio/Visual -> Headphone Accommodations.
From this menu you can tune your audio by selecting from 3 preset hearing profiles or choosing Custom Audio Setup and running a very brief hearing test. These options and new settings will allow you to boost soft sounds and change the frequencies to some degree.
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Use Live Listen With A Hearing Aid Or Device
You can also use an Accessibility Shortcut for Live Listen by going to Settings > General > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut. Then just triple-click your Side or Home button to access it!
To Turn Off Live Listen on MFi Hearing Devices
What Headphone Accommodations Do And Will It Turn Airpods Into Hearing Aids
So does this new feature suddenly enable AirPods Pro to work as hearing aids? For starters, from an FDA approval perspective, the answer is a resounding no. In order to access a product that is FDA approved as a hearing aid , one must go through a licensed audiologist and obtain a prescription. That may change with the eventual issuance of FDA guidelines for the 2017 Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act. However, at this point, there are no OTC hearing aids approved by the FDA. Some products tout that they are FDA registered, but that is somewhat of a meaningless designation as explained by TruthInAdvertising.org:
Class I devices are generally not subject to any premarket review by the FDA but still must register with the FDA. These products are sometimes marketed as FDA registered or FDA listed, but thats like saying youre on a guest list for entry into a nightclub that pretty much everyone gets into.
Headphone Accommodations or not, AirPods Pro are neither FDA approved, nor registered. However the feature does offer some basic hearing assistance. As suggested by the images below, the app takes the user through a brief hearing assessment. From that process, it creates a customized audio setting that can be toggled on or off by the user:
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How To Better Use Airpods On A Mac
If you want to use AirPods to listen to all audio coming from your Mac, you will need to select it as an audio output device. To do that, Open Control Center from the menu bar, click Bluetooth and select your AirPods.
Alternatively, you can use the AirPlay icon in the Music app to select AirPods to stream music from your Mac to your ears. Though, my experience with connecting to AirPods through AirPlay in Music has been hit or miss. Mostly miss.
AirPods’ settings on a Mac.
Check Remaining Battery Using Your Iphone
You have a couple of options when it comes to checking the battery status of your AirPods and the charging case.
You can either open the charging case next to your iPhone , as well), which should prompt your phone to display a popup with battery status. Or, you can add the battery widget to Notification Centers Today panel using the instructions in this post. Keep in mind, the Battery widget will only include AirPods if you are actively using them.
View AirPods battery life on an Apple Watch.
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Turn On Spatial Audio For A Surround Sound Effect
If you have the third-generation AirPods, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max over-ear headphones, youll be able to take advantage of spatial audio. This technology creates a 360-degree surround sound effect when watching TV, listening to music or participating in FaceTime calls. To activate spatial awareness or to check whether its turned on, make sure the AirPods youre wearing are connected to your iPhone or iPad via Bluetooth. Then tap Settings> Bluetooth, and choose your AirPods. Press the i icon and select Spatial Audio.
Apples spatial audio brings a surround sound effect to AirPods.
Can I Use My Phone And Earbuds As A Hearing Aid
Can I use my phone and earbuds as a hearing aid?
There are a few things to consider before using a phone or earbuds as a hearing aid. First, the phone or earbuds need to have a microphone and amplifier. The microphone will pick up sound and the amplifier will amplify the sound. Second, the phone or earbuds need to be in close proximity to the persons ears. And third, the phone or earbuds need to be turned up louder than the surrounding noise.
If the phone or earbuds meet these requirements, they can be used as a hearing aid. However, they should not be used as a hearing aid if the person has hearing loss in one ear. The phone or earbuds will only amplify sound in the ear that they are in.
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How Can Airpods Pro Be Used As Hearing Protection Below 90db
Airpods Pro is a new and innovative electronic hearing aid that can provide you with all the benefits of an in-ear hearing aid without sacrificing comfort.
Designed to fit discreetly behind your ear, it provides superior comfort and protection while providing crisp sound quality.
The Airpods Pro be used as hearing protection below 90 db.
This high level of hearing protection protects your hearing by redirecting noise and low frequency energy to reduce and filter out background noise.
So, when using your Airpods Pro below 90 db you are getting the best in noise reduction and a natural and comfortable fit.
There are many factors you should consider when deciding if the Airpods Pro is the right hearing protection device for you. It is easy to use, lightweight, flexible and comfortable.
But most important of all, how does the device work to reduce noise?
The innovative active noise canceling technology of Airpods allows you to enjoy music or movies while still enjoying clear and crisp sound.
It is important that you carefully consider your options when looking for hearing protection devices.
You do not want to sacrifice the comfort of an in-ear hearing aid but buy a device that does not provide the best sound quality.
How To Set Up Headphone Accommodations

If your AirPods are second-generation or newer, start with Headphone Accommodations. Make sure your iPhone or iPad is updated to the latest version of iOS.
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How To Stop Using Your Airpods As Hearing Aids
When you’re in a situation that doesn’t require hearing assistance, you can turn off any of the Apple features you don’t want to use. To turn off Headphone Accommodations, Transparency Mode or Conversation Boost, simply visit the Headphone Accommodations menu and toggle off each option. To turn off Live Listen, open your Control Center, tap the ear icon and tap on Live Listen.
Is There An App That Works Like A Hearing Aid
There is no one definitive answer to this question, as there are a variety of apps that can be used as hearing aids. Some of the most popular options include the app SoundAMP, which is designed for people with mild to moderate hearing loss, and the app HearPlus, which is designed for people with more severe hearing loss.
Both of these apps work by amplifying sound, and they can be customized to suit the specific needs of each user. They can also be used in conjunction with other hearing aids, if needed. Additionally, both apps are free to download, making them a cost-effective option for those who need a hearing aid.
Other apps that can be used as hearing aids include the app LiveAudio, which is designed to help people who have difficulty hearing in noisy environments, and the app Roger, which is designed for people with hearing loss in one ear.
Overall, there are a variety of apps that can be used as hearing aids, and each one has its own unique set of features. It is important to consult with a doctor to find out which app is best for you, as not all apps will be suitable for everyone.
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Can I Use My Airpods As Hearing Aids
While the EV1 and EV3 from Audien are very good options for clients over the age of 65 who suffer from mild to moderate hearing loss, what if you already own a pair of Apple AirPods? Apple has long been one of the most famous and well-known tech companies on the planet, and their signature line of wireless earbuds has ranked as some of the best of their kind on the market.
These devices do more than just play crystal clear audio streaming from your devices they also utilize microphones and can be used for phone, Facetime, or Zoom calls. Apple typically designs their devices to work best within the Apple ecosystem, such as AirPods working best with iPhone as opposed to linking via Bluetooth to an android.
One of the features that Apple has integrated into its technological ecosystem is something called Live Listen. This unique feature helps people who suffer from hearing loss get an extra boost from their Apple devices while using their AirPods.
Although devices such as AirPods can be very effective, they do not replace hearing aids. Drew Sutton, MD, Board-Certified Otolaryngologist.
So, in short, yes, an Apple AirPods can be used as a hearing aid device however, it does not take the place of an actual medical-grade device such as prescription or even over-the-counter hearing aids.
Airpods Advanced Features And Settings You Need To Know
Unlock all the awesome features your Apple earbuds offer with this guide.
Apple’s AirPods shine for their simplicity, but there are also plenty of features and tricks that may not be immediately obvious.
There’s so much more to do with your Apple headphones, like customizing settings, pairing them with your various devices, improving the audio, updating their software and more. If you received a new pair of AirPods as a gift this holiday season, you might not know where to start.
In the guide below, we’ll walk you through the essentials and then show you some of the more advanced features and settings you need to know about.
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Can I Use Bluetooth As Hearing Aid
If youre considering using Bluetooth as a hearing aid, you likely have some questions about how it works and what benefits it might offer. In this article, well discuss how Bluetooth technology can be used to improve hearing, as well as some of the pros and cons of using it in this way.
How Bluetooth Can Help Improve Hearing
Bluetooth technology can be used to improve hearing in a number of ways. For example, it can be used to amplify sound, which can be helpful for people with hearing loss. Additionally, Bluetooth can be used to transmit sound directly to the ear, which can be helpful for people with hearing aids.
Additionally, Bluetooth can be used to transmit sound directly to the ear, which can be helpful for people with hearing aids.
Finally, Bluetooth can be used to connect to other devices, such as phones and computers. This can be helpful for people who want to use their hearing aids to listen to music or make phone calls.
The Pros and Cons of Using Bluetooth as a Hearing Aid
There are a number of pros and cons to using Bluetooth as a hearing aid. Some of the pros include:
-Bluetooth can be used to amplify sound, which can be helpful for people with hearing loss.
-Bluetooth can be used to transmit sound directly to the ear, which can be helpful for people with hearing aids.
Some of the cons include:
-Bluetooth can be expensive.
-Bluetooth can be difficult to use.
-Bluetooth can be unreliable.
How To Use Your Air Pods As Hearing Aids
To use the Air Pods as a hearing aid replacement, we now need to go through a few steps. Here is an overview:
You take a hearing test. To do this, you use the MIMI hearing test app. Install it from the app store. If you launch it for the first time it will ask you to give permission to connect the health app. Click yes. In the app, you will be guided through the different stations and you dont necessarily have to have an account in the Mimi app to do this. Here is a short video showing how the app looks and how the hearing test works. Before you start the app you should be in a quiet room.
Before the test can start, the app checks the volume in the environment. If the environment is quiet enough, you can select your headphones. Here, you should choose the Air Pods.
Make sure that the AirPods are connected to your iPhone with Bluetooth. Without Air pods connected, the app will refuse the listening test. After that, you have to set the volume on the smartphone to 50 percent. Using noise cancellation in addition to a quiet room can improve the results. Also, make sure the silicone tips of the air pods fit nicely. Then a training round will start.
The audiogram is then uploaded to apple health. Make sure to check the apple health settings. When the audiogram is saved in the health app it looks like in the picture above. Now the audio settings need to be configured to make sure you get your individual amplification levels.
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What Devices Are Compatible With Live Listen
To use Live Listen, your iPhone or iPad needs to be running iOS or iPadiOS 14.3 or later. To check whether your software has the necessary updates, do the following:Step 1. Go to Settings.
AirPods Open Settings
Step 3. Tap Software Update.
AirPods Click Software Update
Step 4. Check to see what operating system your device is using.
AirPods Check your software
Step 5. If you need to, upgrade by tapping Download and Install.
In addition to the right software, you’ll also need a pair of AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, or Powerbeats Pro.
Did You Know: There are several types of listening devices and hearing aids that can be paired with an iPhone. For detailed instructions on connecting your hearing aids to an iPhone, view our iPhone and hearing aid setup guide.