Can AirPods Work as Hearing Aids? An Audiologist Explains

Can AirPods work as hearing aids? Only barely. They top out around 25 decibels, which fits a mild loss and nothing past it. Audiologist Dr. Mandy Rounseville-Norgaard, owner of Sioux Falls Audiology Associates in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, joins host Melissa Goodwin to answer the question people are actually searching: can you turn AirPods into hearing aids, and should you? She wears hearing aids herself, and she doesn't sell the hype in either direction. Then the conversation turns to what AI is actually doing inside modern hearing aids, which is not what most people picture when they hear "AI." In this episode AirPods put out about 25 decibels at most. Dr. Mandy describes that as roughly the difference between her normal voice and raising it a little. The feature fits someone with about a 30 to 35 decibel loss, and probably no more than that. A hearing test is the only way to know where you sit. You need AirPods Pro 2 or 3rd generation, iOS 18, an iPhone, and a hearing test uploaded into an app. Dr. Mandy calls the current setup "more of a hack" and says they are not FDA cleared as a hearing aid. The real gap: a prescriptive hearing aid targets your specific frequencies. AirPods apply a general boost, so they amplify what you don't need along with what you do, which makes noisy rooms harder. Cost is why people reach for AirPods first. Stigma is second. Dr. Mandy's counter: if you are getting a hearing test anyway to set them up, you may as well look at your real options. The three earliest signs of hearing loss: the TV volume creeping up, struggling in restaurants and background noise, and ringing or tinnitus at night. Family usually notices before you do. AI in hearing aids means DNN, or Deep Neural Network. The chip mimics how the brain receives and interprets sound, processing the speech and noise signals a trillion times per second. It is in top of the line hearing aids now, not coming later. The app side: fall detection that alerts your family (no pendant needed, as long as the hearing aids are in), respiratory rate on one manufacturer, step tracking, and custom programs. Dr. Mandy predicts blood sugar sensing is coming, because the ear is a sensitive spot. Listening effort is the symptom nobody names. Dr. Mandy wears hearing aids herself and says the newer processing means her brain works noticeably less hard. A top of the line hearing aid still fails without a provider doing speech mapping and real ear measurement to verify the fitting against prescriptive targets. The two her clinic sees the most satisfaction from right now: the Oticon Zeal (for people who don't want something over the ear) and the Starkey Omega. Her caveat: no single manufacturer fits everyone, so find a provider who will let you try another brand. To anyone saying "I'll just use my AirPods first": it may work for a while, and you'll get the wow effect for a while. She estimates about a year before you need the real test. Chapters 00:00 Can AirPods actually be used as hearing aids? 01:39 The 25 decibel ceiling, and what it really sounds like 02:07 What you need first: AirPods Pro 2 or 3, iOS 18, a hearing test 03:16 Who the AirPods hearing feature actually helps 03:56 Can wearing AirPods all day hurt your hearing? 04:29 Are AirPods FDA cleared as hearing aids? 04:50 General boost vs prescriptive fitting: the real difference 06:34 How you turn the feature on, and why it takes patience 07:20 Why people pick AirPods first: cost, then stigma 08:46 The three earliest signs of hearing loss 09:25 Hearing loss vs being ready for hearing aids 10:40 What AI is actually doing in hearing aids: DNN explained 12:40 Fall detection, respiratory rate, and what's coming next 14:00 Custom programs and personalizing your own hearing 14:55 Listening effort: the symptom nobody names 15:40 Why a great hearing aid fails without speech mapping 16:44 What surprised an audiologist about the new AI chips 17:50 Is the high end model worth the money? 19:10 "I'll just use my AirPods": what she says to that 20:15 Not ready yet? Do this one thing instead 21:40 The two hearing aids her clinic sees the most satisfaction from 22:46 Where to find Dr. Mandy and her team About the guest Dr. Mandy Rounseville-Norgaard is an audiologist and the owner of Sioux Falls Audiology Associates. She wears hearing aids herself, which is why her answers land differently than a spec sheet. Her practice verifies fittings with speech mapping and real ear measurement, and works across major manufacturers rather than pushing one brand. Sioux Falls Audiology Associates 4948 E. 57th St, Sioux Falls, SD 57108 605-306-3050 siouxfallsaudiologyassociates.com Resources mentioned DNN (Deep Neural Network) hearing aid processing Speech mapping and real ear measurement verification The Oticon Zeal and the Starkey Omega The iOS 18 hearing aid feature for AirPods Pro Also on Dialed In Health Menopause, Hearing Loss, and the Dementia Link No One Tells Women with Dr. Mandy I Can Hear, but I Can't Understand: Hearing in Pregnancy, Tinnitus, and the Brain Side of Audiology Watch, read, and find a provider Watch on YouTube: @dialedinhealth Episode page with the full transcript and FAQs: dialedin.health/podcast/episode-31-airpods-hearing-aids Find a vetted provider: dialedin.health/the-directory Apply to be a guest: dialedinhealth.kit.com If this helped, please follow the show and leave a rating and review. Reviews are a real ranking factor in the podcast directories, and they are how the next person searching "can AirPods work as hearing aids" finds a straight answer. One thing to do today: if the TV keeps creeping up, or restaurants have gotten hard, book a baseline hearing test. Dr. Mandy's point is that you don't have to decide anything at that appointment. You just get the information. Educational and informational only. This episode is not medical advice and is not a substitute for evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment by a licensed provider. If you're concerned about your hearing, get a hearing test from a licensed audiologist or hearing care professional. Transcript Full transcript: dialedin.health/podcast/episode-31-airpods-hearing-aids