Do AI earbuds work as hearing aids?

Some AI earbuds work as FDA-cleared hearing aid devices. Apple AirPods Pro 2 received FDA authorization in late 2024 for mild-to-moderate hearing loss via the Hearing Aid Feature in iOS. Some over-the-counter hearing aids from Sony, Jabra, and others also function as earbuds. AI earbuds aren't replacements for prescription hearing aids for severe hearing loss, but they're a legitimate option for mild cases at a fraction of the cost.

What Conversation Boost and Hearing Aid Feature do

AirPods Pro 2 with iOS 18+ can perform a self-administered hearing test, generate a personal hearing profile, and amplify speech frequencies based on your hearing loss pattern. This is FDA-cleared for mild-to-moderate loss (16-55 dB).

Pros of AI earbuds as hearing aids

Far cheaper ($249 vs $2,000-5,000 for prescription hearing aids)
No stigma — they look like normal earbuds
Easy to upgrade as needs change
Built-in noise cancellation helps in busy environments

Limitations

Battery only lasts 4-6 hours per charge
Not suitable for severe-to-profound hearing loss
No fit by an audiologist (so less customized)

If you suspect hearing loss, get a real audiogram first. For mild loss or as a backup, AI earbuds are a strong option. See our AirPods Pro 2 review.

Browse our full AI Earbuds catalog for current models and our verdict on each.

Next steps

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