Actually apple has a setting for this (at least on the pro's) which is called transparency. Works surprisingly well. You get the TV / movie audio in ear, and t

Actually apple has a setting for this (at least on the pro's) which is called transparency. Works surprisingly well. You get the TV / movie audio in ear, and then any other audio from outside. We use it to keep an ear out for kids (bathroom breaks / falls off bed or whatever) and to chat with each other. But yes - some people do hate apple products - so different uses I think for different folks. My one MAJOR complaint is the volume of the mode switch sound on these things is way way too loud! Perhaps there is a setting for that I haven't found. Bong! in the ear is super annoying. Make it a click or something.