Latest news with #Pro2s
Daily Record
26-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Apple AirPods' 'standout' hearing aid feature leaves users 'shocked' amid £40 price cut
"I absolutely love my Apple AirPods Pro 2! These are by far the best wireless earbuds I've ever used." While there are many different wireless earbuds and headphones on the market, Apple is known to lead the way when it comes to sound quality and noise cancelling technology. However, with so many budget-friendly models out there, it can sometimes be difficult to justify spending a hefty amount of money on the latest Apple AirPods. Thankfully, Amazon has tried to make this pressure a bit easier as they have knocked £40 off the Apple AirPods Pro 2 in a limited time deal. Normally retailing for £229, Amazon shoppers can now snap up the popular earbuds for £189. Bought by over 4,000 people in the last 30 days, these AirPods are becoming increasingly popular as they now boast an impressive hearing aid feature. These compact devices now hold the world's first all-in-one hearing health experience. This is made up of a scientifically validated hearing test and clinical-grade, active hearing protection. While many reviewers who require hearing aids were shocked by how well the AirPods Pro 2 worked for them, other shoppers were impressed by the active noise cancellation that is said to remove twice the amount of noise compared to older models. Another plus for the Pro 2s is the H2 chip that helps the earbuds create a deeply immersive sound with rich bass and clear high notes. Additionally, the earbuds come with voice isolation so users can also have quality phone calls even when in busy environments. Along with the MagSafe Charging Case, Apple users will get up to 30 hours of listening time with the noise cancellation enabled, allowing them to go about their day without fear of the AirPods dying in the middle of an activity. The device also comes with four pairs of sized silicone tips so users can make sure the earbuds fit securely. Apple AirPods Pro 2 £229 £189 Amazon Buy Now Product Description Alternatively, Amazon has also cut the price of their own Echo Buds down from £129.99 to only £54.99. Saving shoppers £75, these earbuds are said to offer premium sound and are equipped with a noise cancelling feature. However, users will only get 15 hours of playback with the charging case. For those looking for something budget friendly and with a long battery life, Argos is selling the JLab GO Air Wireless Earbuds for £24.99. With a 4.5 star rating from over 3,000 reviewers, these earbuds have a playback time of up to 32 hours with the charging case and can still work within a 10m range. In terms of the Apple AirPods Pro 2, they have received over 15,000 global reviews which has resulted in a 4.6-star rating. Many shoppers have praised the earbuds for their quality sound, with some reporting positive experiences with the hearing aid function. One five-star reviewer said: "I absolutely love my Apple AirPods Pro 2! These are by far the best wireless earbuds I've ever used. The sound quality is incredible crisp highs, deep lows, and overall a rich, high-fidelity experience. Whether I'm listening to music, podcasts, or watching videos, the audio is always clear and immersive. "The Hearing Aid feature is another standout. It works incredibly well for adjusting sound based on the environment, which adds a whole new layer of convenience for daily use." Another also praised: "These AirPods are amazing. I wear hearing aids and thought I would give these a try to replace my aids. I am truly shocked they are amazing. I did the hearing test and then put them in my ears. The result was so good. "However I thought this is easy wearing them indoors, what about out and about. So I went and did a grocery shop. I completely forgot that I wasn't wearing my normal aids. I could hear everything and had no problem talking to people." However, another reviewer was not impressed by the audio, writing: "Sound quality not as mind-blowing as people say. If you're an audiophile, go elsewhere. Most of your money here goes on gimmickry such as head gestures and auto-transparency, neither of which are useful in the real world. Bass and richness is lacking." Despite this, another hearing aid user wrote: "Brilliant. I thought the original AirPod Pros were good but these provide much better noise cancellation. The hearing aid functionality works well too. "I have some hearing loss and while I wouldn't want these as a replacement for proper hearing aids, they work well as a temporary substitute and are ideal for (e.g) watching television with a partner who doesn't want the sound turned up loud." Click HERE to buy the Apple AirPods Pro 2 from Amazon. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. 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The Guardian
25-03-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Australians can now use Apple AirPods Pro as hearing aids – but experts warn they're not for everyone
Apple's AirPods Pro 2 can for the first time be used as hearing aids for moderate hearing loss in Australia – but despite benefits, such as reducing social stigma and lowering costs, experts warn they are not suitable for everyone. After approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in December, Apple on Wednesday pushed out an update to AirPods Pro 2 devices in Australia allowing users to test their hearing and use the Bluetooth headphones as hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss. It is only TGA approved for people aged 18 and older. The company said the hearing aid capability of AirPods is similar to over-the-counter hearing aid devices available, but the Pro 2s, at $399, are significantly cheaper than the thousands of dollars people can pay for hearing aids. Steve Williamson, the chief executive of the peak body for the hearing health and deafness sector, Deafness Forum Australia, said his organisation welcomed anything that encourages earlier intervention and makes hearing assistance more accessible. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email 'But we must ensure that consumers are well informed and receive the appropriate professional care when they need it,' Williamson said. The price could 'break down financial barriers and make hearing assistance more accessible to people with mild hearing loss', he said. 'The high cost of traditional hearing devices in Australia is among the leading reasons people do not address their hearing issues in good time. Imagine having a way to address a $300 hearing problem instead of feeling forced to find $3,000.' It would also be a less-stigmatised entry point for people with mild hearing loss, Williamson said, but people should understand that the devices may not be suitable for everyone. 'While we see the potential benefits, we also stress the importance of professional guidance,' he said. 'These devices are not a substitute for a comprehensive hearing assessment by an audiologist.' Dr Nicky Chong-White, the National Acoustic Laboratories principal engineer, said it was an 'exciting advancement' that would lead to more people being aware of their hearing loss. 'We can see that definitely there's advantages for people with, and I would phrase it as 'mild to moderate hearing loss that don't want hearing aids'. They're not ready to get hearing aids, but they do need hearing help,' she said. Chong-White said the AirPods would suit situations like trying to hear in a restaurant or while watching TV rather than all-day wear for hearing aids, and without the stigma of wearing hearing aids given people wear AirPods out in public all the time. She said the overseas experience – where the hearing aid feature is already available – has been that while audiologists were initially concerned about the impact it would have on their industry, it had led to more people testing their hearing and getting professional support. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion 'It is raising that awareness of hearing and then people might try them and go, 'Oh, this isn't strong enough for me, or I need all these fancy features that you can only get in the high-end hearing aids', and it's getting them into the clinic and having that conversation.' Chong-White said just one in five people who could benefit from hearing aids actually wear them. 'If we can just tap into a portion of those to get them hearing help, that's … a benefit for society,' she said. 'I think if anyone can shift the needle on making hearing aids popular, it's probably Apple. If it fails, then good luck to others who try.' Apple's hearing test and hearing aid features were subject to clinical studies prior to approval. People can take the hearing test and adjust hearing settings for the AirPods by putting them in and modifying settings on the device it is connected to. The hearing test can also be started through the Health app.
