Accessibility is integrated with every Apple product, even when the company does not flaunt it. AirPods Pro 2 features a new design and delivers improved audio quality and longer battery life. What Apple did not promote are the benefits the new wireless headphones offer users with hearing impairments.
HearingTracker, founded by a doctor of Audiology to help consumer find hearing aids and professionals, states that the new AirPods Pro 2 have the same features which are available in over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids.
AirPods Pro 2 personalized audio and directional microphones are attributes of good OTC hearing aids
Powered by an advanced H2 chip, the second-generation AirPods Pro delivers higher audio performance with features like improved Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), Adaptive Transparency mode to reduce more external noises, personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking for an immersive listening experience, Adaptive EQ, Touch control and more.
The new wireless earbuds deliver up to 6 hours of listening time with ANC enabled and up to 30 hours of total listening time with the charging case. With Hey Siri support, it also offers “announce notifications” capability for the voice assistant to read users’ important messages.
Furthermore, it supports Conversation Boost, Headphone Accommodations and Live Listen for accessibility.
All of the above features, make the second-gen AirPods Pro a good OTC hearing-aid, even if Apple does not market them as one. HearingTracker concluded:
Certainly, the new Airpods Pro 2 and its predecessor have all the attributes expected in high-quality OTC hearing aids, including:
- Personalized audio processing, based on a hearing test, that compensates for milder forms of hearing loss;
- Directional microphones and speech enhancement algorithms for better hearing in noise and listening comfort;
- Bluetooth streaming and connectivity,
- Rechargeability, and
- An in-the-ear form factor with both manual and app-based volume controls.
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