In September 2024, the FDA authorized Apple's over-the-counter hearing aid software so that the AirPods Pro 2 can now double as hearing aids for adults with mild or moderate forms of hearing loss. This is the first OTC hearing aid software device,

The AirPods Pro 2 are an affordable tool for those with mild to moderate hearing loss, but 23 seniors tell PCMag they can't replace traditional hearing aids yet. Here's why.

Remember when hearing aids were associated with being old? They were ugly, they would squeal, and people didn’t seem to hear much better with the hearing aids. While older hearing aids used to

Dr. Kailey Murphy, a clinical audiologist at Hearing and Brain Centers of America's South Austin office, reached out to the American-Statesman to become part of the Statesman's Season for Caring charity program. The Statesman's program has raised more than $21.7 million to help local nonprofits since it began in 1999.

If you do, the hearing aid feature customizes your AirPods by boosting or lowering the volume at specific frequencies—based on your needs. It can also help protect your hearing in loud places like concerts by reducing the sound to a safe level.

After years of using earbuds from other audio brands, I tried Apple AirPods Pro 2 and became an instant convert–at least in terms of earbuds for working out at the gym.