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FDA Authorizes First Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Software

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Re: FDA Authorizes First Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Software

#161

Post by [deleted] »

vel0city wrote: post #147
systemtest wrote: post #144

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds only have 360 audio and the better audio codec if you use a Samsung Galaxy smartphone. Doesn't even work on other Android devices let alone iOS. And as far as I know you can't tweak the hearing aid features of Galaxy Buds on any device.

If you can't actually tweak audiogram settings, they're not really hearing aids. In fact, Samsung doesn't sell them as hearing aids and from what I can tell never use the term "hearing aid" in any of the marketing, branding, or feature listing of the devices. They're not FDA approved as hearing aids, so they're not hearing aids. Either way, pointing to another company being shitty isn't really a good justification of…

[deleted]

Re: FDA Authorizes First Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Software

#162

Post by HumblyTossed »

some_random wrote: post #100
HumblyTossed wrote: post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> This is huge. Previously if you were hard of hearing, a pair of hearing aids could cost upwards of $2,000. Now Apple just brought that price down to ~$250. Woah there fella. Hearing aids last a very long time before needing a new battery. AirPods needs to be charged several times a day. That's a bit of an inconvenience. As is some hearing aids are made to fit one's ear. Where as AirPods are 3 sizes fits all.

A condescending reply showing you didn't read the whole comment isn't the best look. The point isn't that they're the bestest hearing aids ever, the point is that they are an option at all at a tiny fraction of the typical price which will force manufacturers to innovate.

Condescending or not, saying "Now Apple just brought that price down to ~$250." is grossly overstating it.

But Apple always gets a pass, so...

Re: FDA Authorizes First Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Software

#163

Post by HumblyTossed »

jeffhuys wrote: post #97
HumblyTossed wrote: post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> This is huge. Previously if you were hard of hearing, a pair of hearing aids could cost upwards of $2,000. Now Apple just brought that price down to ~$250. Woah there fella. Hearing aids last a very long time before needing a new battery. AirPods needs to be charged several times a day. That's a bit of an inconvenience. As is some hearing aids are made to fit one's ear. Where as AirPods are 3 sizes fits all.

That’s a much, MUCH lower barrier of entry, though, fella… and that can be celebrated in my opinion

It's helpful, sure, but it's not the same thing.

Re: FDA Authorizes First Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Software

#164

Post by ohadpr »

Speaking of the AirPods becoming actual hearing aides - how will we reconcile the fact that it is not socially acceptable to wear AirPods when speaking with someone?

Even if you get to explain ‘oh my AirPods are functioning as a hearing aide’ you likely won’t be able to explain that to other people noticing the conversation and thinking to themselves ‘oh that’s douchey, not taking our your AirPods when talking to someone’.

I just really wonder if this will be able to make wearing AirPods while talking to other people socially acceptable because the current presumption is likely that they are not behaving nicely.

Re: FDA Authorizes First Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Software

#165

Post by autoexec »

alias_neo wrote: post #85
AshamedCaptain wrote: post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Note also phonaks are traditionally a couple thousand euros a piece while even the most expensive airpods are still around 300 the pair. Certainly the phonaks are impressively small, lasting, good quality, and imperceptible, but is the almost 10x price markup justified? The biggest problem with hearing aids (and doctors/calibrators/whatever) is that they are ridiculously expensive... the attitude/stigma much less so.…

I don't think I've ever seen someone with a hearing aid and though anything negative of it, I get it people can be self-conscious, but for something like a hearing aid I think it's unjustified. On the other hand, I can't bring myself to keep earbuds (airpods or w/e) in my ears while talking to someone, regardless of if I can hear them properly, I just seems incredibly rude. My uneducated opinion, is that someone usin…

> I don't think I've ever seen someone with a hearing aid and though anything negative of it, I get it people can be self-conscious, but for something like a hearing aid I think it's unjustified.

Neither have I. On the other hand, I have seen people wearing air pods and thought they looked ridiculous, as if they had qtips sticking out of their ears. Especially if they're sticking out at different angles.

Re: FDA Authorizes First Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Software

#168

Post by teaearlgraycold »

_fat_santa wrote: post #92

This is huge. Previously if you were hard of hearing, a pair of hearing aids could cost upwards of $2,000. Now Apple just brought that price down to ~$250. Even if you use them everyday and assume a shelf life of 1.5yrs (which is roughly mine and others' experience with AirPods), you would be replacing your Airpods for 12 years before the cost caught up with a single pair of hearing aids. Even if you think Airpods ar…

My APPs are still going strong after 4 years. I use them daily, but not all day every day. Sure the battery life isn’t as good as before. But they’re still very usable. Am I just really lucky?

Re: FDA Authorizes First Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Software

#169

Post by qup »

josefresco wrote: post #91
car wrote: post #66

With the AirPods now officially becoming hearing aids, it will hopefully reduce the stigma and attitude towards hearing aids and allow many more people to realize how bad their hearing actually is. I have been wearing hearing aids for a few years now (Phonak). I've also used the AirPods Pro with the accessibility audiogram feature (basically making them hearing aids), which is really good and has also been around for…

You're certainly not alone in resisting hearing aids. My dad just got some from Costco (most affordable) and really likes them. He probably waited 5-10 years too long. My father-in-law however doesn't like hearing aids because he feels they amplify things he doesn't want to hear. Granted he's never been fitted to actual hearing aids. I understand his concern, but he's told me multiple times his hearing loss leaves hi…

My grandmother did that, as well. She was brilliant, but she was reduced to nodding a long, often inappropriately, because she couldn't hear.

Re: FDA Authorizes First Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Software

#170

Post by llbeansandrice »

talldayo wrote: post #152
dsr_ wrote: post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's your actual complaint? Is it that teenagers sometimes have hearing issues? That's definitely true; many people are born Deaf or with hearing impairments. Some people get injured. Is it that teenagers might fake having hearing issues in order to wear pods? Either they will be paying attention in class or they won't; this will be obvious from their grades shortly.

The "actual complaint" is that Apple made hearing aids indistinguishable from an entertainment device. There's nothing wrong with taking initiative to a good thing, but you can absolutely pave the road to hell with good intentions. People would be rightfully outraged if Tesla drivers could ignore the road to play The Witcher 3 at 50mph on the freeway. Saying something like "either they will crash or they won't" isn't…

Playing video games when you’re supposed to be piloting a half ton death trap isn’t the same as teenagers lying to authority.
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