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This is huge. Previously if you were hard of hearing, a pair of hearing aids could cost upwards of $2,000. Now Apple just brought that price down to ~$250. Eve

This is huge. Previously if you were hard of hearing, a pair of hearing aids could cost upwards of $2,000. Now Apple just brought that price down to ~$250. Even if you use them everyday and assume a shelf life of 1.5yrs (which is roughly mine and others' experience with AirPods), you would be replacing your Airpods for 12 years before the cost caught up with a single pair of hearing aids. Even if you think Airpods are not on the same bar as regular hearing aids, this will certainly help depress market prices. Every manufacturer will probably start releasing sub $1000 hearing aids just to not get destroyed by Apple.

HumblyTossed 2y ago
> This is huge. Previously if you were hard of hearing, a pair of hearing aids could cost upwards of $2,000. Now Apple just brought that price down to ~$250. Woah there fella. Hearing aids last a very long time before needing a new battery. AirPods needs to be charged several times a day. That's a bit of an inconvenience. As is some hearing aids are made to fit one's ear. Where as AirPods are 3 sizes fits all.
- jeffhuys 2y ago
  That’s a much, MUCH lower barrier of entry, though, fella… and that can be celebrated in my opinion
  - HumblyTossed 2y ago
    It's helpful, sure, but it's not the same thing.
- echoangle 2y ago
  Just to be pedantic: AirPods Pro 2 come with 4 sizes for tips. Also, I'm sure you can get third-party tips with different shapes if you wanted to.
  - deleted 2y ago
    [deleted]
- some_random 2y ago
  A condescending reply showing you didn't read the whole comment isn't the best look. The point isn't that they're the bestest hearing aids ever, the point is that they are an option at all at a tiny fraction of the typical price which will force manufacturers to innovate.
  - HumblyTossed 2y ago
    Condescending or not, saying "Now Apple just brought that price down to ~$250." is grossly overstating it. But Apple always gets a pass, so...
    - some_random 2y ago
      "You can now buy hearing aids (as defined by the FDA) for $250" is an objectively true statement, so unless you think the FDA is filled with Apple fanboys I have no idea what "pass" you think Apple is getting.
      - RHSeeger 2y ago
        To be fair, it is a little misleading. "You can buy hearing aids with considerably lower functionality for $250" is more accurate. But there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. There's a LOT of people who can't afford high quality hearing aids (and the doctor assisted tuning) costing thousands of dollars. And if this getting _something_ into their hands, it has the potential to be a very big win. Also, since it is an alternative (even if lower functionality), it has the potential to bring down the cost of other options, because that's a common outcome from competition.
- wintermutestwin 2y ago
  Airpods don’t fit in my tiny ear canals. I even bought a smaller aftermarket tip and still no luck.
- mitemte 2y ago
  Existing hearing aid products are still available for purchase for those who want them. I don’t think AirPods are going to replace hearing aids. Hopefully they lower the barrier for entry and perhaps lower the price of existing products.
- kstrauser 2y ago
  You could buy 2 pairs and swap them out. That would still be a 75% discount over the $2000 pair. This will help more people hear. It might not be the best possible solution, but it surely beats not having it.
- insane_dreamer 2y ago
  > AirPods needs to be charged several times a day. That's a bit of an inconvenience. that's if you wear them all the time. I have hearing difficulties and know I need aids even without taking a test. But I wouldn't want something in my ear all day long and most of the time I don't need to hear better because I'm working or whatever. But there are situations where it's hard for me to understand what people are saying and that's when I would put them on. So with that in mind the AirPods would work great. It's unfortunate that it doesn't work with the regular AirPods which are only $100. (I don't have the Pro's).
- astrange 2y ago
  AirPods Pro have replaceable tips, and there are third parties who sell different tips. Actually the better the tip fits you, the more I'd think you'd take them out once in a while, because a perfect seal means your ears will get sweaty.
righthand 2y ago
[flagged]
- mitemte 2y ago
  If iPhone owners can improve their hearing for $250, that’s a win for a large number of people. Sure, it doesn’t solve the problem for everyone, but neither does a $2000 pair of hearing aids.
  - righthand 2y ago
    Great. But it doesn’t mean Apple Airpod hearing aids are only $250.
- cruffle_duffle 2y ago
  Good thing most people carry those around for other purposes. That $1000 tiny computer in their pocket just swallowed yet another thing that was once discrete.
  - righthand 2y ago
    Except it’s a separate device, so it didn’t swallow it. It’s just an abstraction on an already existing thing. Digital wallets is something that swallowed wallets, for example.
  - jajko 2y ago
    I don't carry around any Apple device, neither do most of people (including various IT folks in various banks) I know. You can't tweak its settings without one.
    - cruffle_duffle 2y ago
      Fair. I was more referring to smart phones in general. The argument was “you need a $1000 device for this $200 thing”. But if other manufacturers come out with similar hearing aids, I’d expect most to work with either iOS or android and would require one of the two $1000 devices to work.
teaearlgraycold 2y ago
My APPs are still going strong after 4 years. I use them daily, but not all day every day. Sure the battery life isn’t as good as before. But they’re still very usable. Am I just really lucky?
- ChicagoBoy11 2y ago
  No, that's my experience as well
cryptoegorophy 2y ago
1.5? What happens after 1.5 years? Had mine for 5 years, no issue and sort of the same battery life or not noticeable to me (15% degradation is what I would not notice ) still charge very quick in a case.
- CamelCaseName 2y ago
  You buy a new hearing aid for another $250 that has another 1.5 years worth of technological advancements. Or maybe you buy multiple instead of just one, so you can hotswap any time.
skybrian 2y ago
There are already cheap hearing aids. Airpod Pros will grow the market since they’re good for people getting started and okay for occasional use, but they aren’t good for wearing all day: too distracting for people you’re talking with, not enough battery life. But now that Apple entered the market, maybe they will come out with wireless headphones that are more suitable?
- caeril 2y ago
  [edit] Disregard, I forgot that HN has been infested with normies with poor reading comprehension. Further posts will be strictly technical.
  - roywiggins 2y ago
    > you're better off with them not in your life. Offer not valid if it's your in-laws, nurse, kid's teacher, your teacher, civil servant who you need to convince, and overall anyone in a position of authority or otherwise capable of gatekeeping you. You can't always just opt out of dealing with people without consequence.
    - caeril 2y ago
      [edit] Disregard, I forgot that HN has been infested with normies with poor reading comprehension. Further posts will be strictly technical.
      - pdabbadabba 2y ago
        > We've homeschooled before, and it would be trivial to pull them (and a small portion of the district's funding with them) and do it again, and they know it. You'd homeschool your kids because their teachers find it odd that you're wearing AirPods during a conversation? To each his own, I guess. > Nurse? If they commit intentional malpractice, my attorney is ready to go. In what world does subtly judging you for wearing AirPods during a conversation qualify as malpractice?
      - 2y ago
rahimnathwani 2y ago
Do you need an iPhone to use them, or only for the initial setup/audiogram?

HumblyTossed 2y ago

> This is huge. Previously if you were hard of hearing, a pair of hearing aids could cost upwards of $2,000. Now Apple just brought that price down to ~$250. Woah there fella. Hearing aids last a very long time before needing a new battery. AirPods needs to be charged several times a day. That's a bit of an inconvenience. As is some hearing aids are made to fit one's ear. Where as AirPods are 3 sizes fits all.

jeffhuys 2y ago
That’s a much, MUCH lower barrier of entry, though, fella… and that can be celebrated in my opinion
- HumblyTossed 2y ago
  It's helpful, sure, but it's not the same thing.
echoangle 2y ago
Just to be pedantic: AirPods Pro 2 come with 4 sizes for tips. Also, I'm sure you can get third-party tips with different shapes if you wanted to.
- deleted 2y ago
  [deleted]
some_random 2y ago
A condescending reply showing you didn't read the whole comment isn't the best look. The point isn't that they're the bestest hearing aids ever, the point is that they are an option at all at a tiny fraction of the typical price which will force manufacturers to innovate.
- HumblyTossed 2y ago
  Condescending or not, saying "Now Apple just brought that price down to ~$250." is grossly overstating it. But Apple always gets a pass, so...
  - some_random 2y ago
    "You can now buy hearing aids (as defined by the FDA) for $250" is an objectively true statement, so unless you think the FDA is filled with Apple fanboys I have no idea what "pass" you think Apple is getting.
    - RHSeeger 2y ago
      To be fair, it is a little misleading. "You can buy hearing aids with considerably lower functionality for $250" is more accurate. But there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. There's a LOT of people who can't afford high quality hearing aids (and the doctor assisted tuning) costing thousands of dollars. And if this getting _something_ into their hands, it has the potential to be a very big win. Also, since it is an alternative (even if lower functionality), it has the potential to bring down the cost of other options, because that's a common outcome from competition.
wintermutestwin 2y ago
Airpods don’t fit in my tiny ear canals. I even bought a smaller aftermarket tip and still no luck.
mitemte 2y ago
Existing hearing aid products are still available for purchase for those who want them. I don’t think AirPods are going to replace hearing aids. Hopefully they lower the barrier for entry and perhaps lower the price of existing products.
kstrauser 2y ago
You could buy 2 pairs and swap them out. That would still be a 75% discount over the $2000 pair. This will help more people hear. It might not be the best possible solution, but it surely beats not having it.
insane_dreamer 2y ago
> AirPods needs to be charged several times a day. That's a bit of an inconvenience. that's if you wear them all the time. I have hearing difficulties and know I need aids even without taking a test. But I wouldn't want something in my ear all day long and most of the time I don't need to hear better because I'm working or whatever. But there are situations where it's hard for me to understand what people are saying and that's when I would put them on. So with that in mind the AirPods would work great. It's unfortunate that it doesn't work with the regular AirPods which are only $100. (I don't have the Pro's).
astrange 2y ago
AirPods Pro have replaceable tips, and there are third parties who sell different tips. Actually the better the tip fits you, the more I'd think you'd take them out once in a while, because a perfect seal means your ears will get sweaty.

righthand 2y ago

[flagged]

mitemte 2y ago
If iPhone owners can improve their hearing for $250, that’s a win for a large number of people. Sure, it doesn’t solve the problem for everyone, but neither does a $2000 pair of hearing aids.
- righthand 2y ago
  Great. But it doesn’t mean Apple Airpod hearing aids are only $250.
cruffle_duffle 2y ago
Good thing most people carry those around for other purposes. That $1000 tiny computer in their pocket just swallowed yet another thing that was once discrete.
- righthand 2y ago
  Except it’s a separate device, so it didn’t swallow it. It’s just an abstraction on an already existing thing. Digital wallets is something that swallowed wallets, for example.
- jajko 2y ago
  I don't carry around any Apple device, neither do most of people (including various IT folks in various banks) I know. You can't tweak its settings without one.
  - cruffle_duffle 2y ago
    Fair. I was more referring to smart phones in general. The argument was “you need a $1000 device for this $200 thing”. But if other manufacturers come out with similar hearing aids, I’d expect most to work with either iOS or android and would require one of the two $1000 devices to work.

teaearlgraycold 2y ago

My APPs are still going strong after 4 years. I use them daily, but not all day every day. Sure the battery life isn’t as good as before. But they’re still very usable. Am I just really lucky?

ChicagoBoy11 2y ago
No, that's my experience as well

cryptoegorophy 2y ago

1.5? What happens after 1.5 years? Had mine for 5 years, no issue and sort of the same battery life or not noticeable to me (15% degradation is what I would not notice ) still charge very quick in a case.

CamelCaseName 2y ago
You buy a new hearing aid for another $250 that has another 1.5 years worth of technological advancements. Or maybe you buy multiple instead of just one, so you can hotswap any time.

skybrian 2y ago

There are already cheap hearing aids. Airpod Pros will grow the market since they’re good for people getting started and okay for occasional use, but they aren’t good for wearing all day: too distracting for people you’re talking with, not enough battery life. But now that Apple entered the market, maybe they will come out with wireless headphones that are more suitable?

caeril 2y ago
[edit] Disregard, I forgot that HN has been infested with normies with poor reading comprehension. Further posts will be strictly technical.
- roywiggins 2y ago
  > you're better off with them not in your life. Offer not valid if it's your in-laws, nurse, kid's teacher, your teacher, civil servant who you need to convince, and overall anyone in a position of authority or otherwise capable of gatekeeping you. You can't always just opt out of dealing with people without consequence.
  - caeril 2y ago
    [edit] Disregard, I forgot that HN has been infested with normies with poor reading comprehension. Further posts will be strictly technical.
    - pdabbadabba 2y ago
      > We've homeschooled before, and it would be trivial to pull them (and a small portion of the district's funding with them) and do it again, and they know it. You'd homeschool your kids because their teachers find it odd that you're wearing AirPods during a conversation? To each his own, I guess. > Nurse? If they commit intentional malpractice, my attorney is ready to go. In what world does subtly judging you for wearing AirPods during a conversation qualify as malpractice?
    - 2y ago

rahimnathwani 2y ago

Do you need an iPhone to use them, or only for the initial setup/audiogram?