Buzz
According to a recent study published in the iScience journal, in certain noisy environments, users can effectively utilize AirPods Pro as hearing aids, performing comparably to expensive hearing devices sold in medical supply stores. It operates by utilizing the 'Live Listening' feature inherent to the headphones, transmitting sound to the user's ears clearer and louder, while the iPhone acts as the microphone.
Immediately thereafter, a group of researchers, doctors from Taipei Veterans General Hospital - Taipei Veterans General Hospital, also affirmed that Apple's AirPods Pro can indeed function as hearing aids. They experimented using second-generation AirPods Pro in this study to validate this claim.
They proceeded to conduct experiments with a small group of 21 individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss, aged between 26 and 60 (ranging from young adults to middle-aged individuals).
For the experiment, the 21 participants were divided into 3 smaller groups, including a group using advanced hearing aid devices (OTICON Opn 1), a group using basic hearing aids (Bernafon MD1), and the remaining group using AirPods Pro and AirPods 2. Of course, all processes were conducted in a laboratory environment with a single sound source.
Conducting such research aims to easily identify the most effective hearing aid method while also assessing whether AirPods truly fulfill their initial claim of becoming hearing aids.
It's important to note that this study focuses solely on 5 PSAP standards (Personal Sound Amplification Product standards according to ANSI CTA 2051-2017) and does not compare or consider differences between AirPods and conventional hearing devices such as battery life, weight, design, etc. Specifically, the 5 PSAP standards are defined as follows:
- Smooth frequency response
- Frequency response bandwidth (range)
- Maximum output sound pressure level (OSPL) at 90 decibels input
- Total harmonic distortion (THD)
- Equivalent input noise (EIN) level (or internal)
As an avid tech enthusiast, you're probably familiar with AirPods, which operate via Bluetooth connection with iPhones for audio playback. In terms of design, AirPods are simply designed to be wireless earbuds, and clearly, Apple has no intention of venturing into the medical device industry.
Electroacoustic tests for hearing aids show that both the premium OTICON Opn 1 and basic Bernafon MD 1 hearing aids comply with the standards. As expected, the test results reveal that AirPods Pro meet four out of the five PSAP standards, with the exception of AirPods Pro's EIN, which exceeds the standard value (32 dB SPL) compared to 5 dB SPL.
However, unfortunately, in only one scenario where researchers tested noise emitted from the participants' opposite side, both AirPods Pro and AirPods 2 failed to improve their ability to hear clearly.
The author of this study shared with Science Alert that while these wireless earbuds are naturally not perfect compared to specialized hearing devices, in the future, they will serve as a good starting point for many patients who do not have access to professional hearing aids.
While AirPods Pro meet all those standards except EIN, AirPods 2 only meet two out of the five criteria, meaning that AirPods 2 are inferior and cannot meet the requirements for a basic hearing aid.
From the evaluation results of the 5 PSAP standards, we can see that AirPods Pro meet most of the electrical criteria and can be considered a PSAP. Therefore, the headphones have the potential to serve as suitable auditory support devices for individuals with mild to moderate hearing impairments.
Thus, AirPods Pro, from a regular headphone catering to users' music enjoyment needs, after research and discovery of additional features, have become not only hearing aids but also the choice just after OTICON Opn 1 and Bernafon MD 1.
Compared to the price of OTICON Opn 1 at $10,000 (approximately 248 million VND), Bernafon MD1 at $1,500 (approximately 37.2 million VND), and AirPods Pro 2 currently being sold in Vietnam for about 6.39 million VND, Apple's headphones have the lowest price but their functionality is not inferior. Thus, choosing AirPods Pro as an affordable hearing aid is truly the best choice for patients with limited financial means and difficulty accessing professional hearing devices.
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