<story><title>FDA Authorizes First Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Software</title><url>https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-authorizes-first-over-counter-hearing-aid-software</url></story><parent_chain><item><author>car</author><text>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.&lt;p&gt;I have been wearing hearing aids for a few years now (Phonak). I&amp;#x27;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 a few years. I&amp;#x27;m very glad, that Apple has made this official and even gotten FDA approval.&lt;p&gt;When I started to loose my hearing a decade ago, for a long time I refused to wear hearing aids, probably due to the perceived stigma. Even though it made life harder and harder -- imagine work meetings with a mumbling boss or me accusing my family to intentionally whisper -- it took years to change my mind. In hindsight I should have gotten hearing aids years sooner.&lt;p&gt;My &amp;#x27;real&amp;#x27; hearing aids are nothing short of a technological marvel. They are tiny and run for a few days on zinc-air batteries (312&amp;#x2F;Costco but made by Varta), while providing all-day BT streaming. Btw, funny how most hearing aid brands come from Denmark. In contrast, the AirPods run out after a few hours and are also destined to become landfill due to their built in battery.</text></item></parent_chain><comment><author>josefresco</author><text>You&amp;#x27;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.&lt;p&gt;My father-in-law however doesn&amp;#x27;t like hearing aids because he feels they amplify things he doesn&amp;#x27;t want to hear. Granted he&amp;#x27;s never been fitted to actual hearing aids.  I understand his concern, but he&amp;#x27;s told me multiple times his hearing loss leaves him isolated during conversation.  He told me one night that he has a lot to say, but can&amp;#x27;t hear so he spends a lot of time just smiling.  It makes me sad that his pride (and stubbornness?) is causing him this stress.</text></comment>
<story><title>FDA Authorizes First Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Software</title><url>https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-authorizes-first-over-counter-hearing-aid-software</url></story><parent_chain><item><author>car</author><text>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.&lt;p&gt;I have been wearing hearing aids for a few years now (Phonak). I&amp;#x27;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 a few years. I&amp;#x27;m very glad, that Apple has made this official and even gotten FDA approval.&lt;p&gt;When I started to loose my hearing a decade ago, for a long time I refused to wear hearing aids, probably due to the perceived stigma. Even though it made life harder and harder -- imagine work meetings with a mumbling boss or me accusing my family to intentionally whisper -- it took years to change my mind. In hindsight I should have gotten hearing aids years sooner.&lt;p&gt;My &amp;#x27;real&amp;#x27; hearing aids are nothing short of a technological marvel. They are tiny and run for a few days on zinc-air batteries (312&amp;#x2F;Costco but made by Varta), while providing all-day BT streaming. Btw, funny how most hearing aid brands come from Denmark. In contrast, the AirPods run out after a few hours and are also destined to become landfill due to their built in battery.</text></item></parent_chain><comment><author>AshamedCaptain</author><text>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?&lt;p&gt;The biggest problem with hearing aids  (and doctors&amp;#x2F;calibrators&amp;#x2F;whatever) is that they are ridiculously expensive... the attitude&amp;#x2F;stigma much less so. (And in any case airpods are about the opposite of &amp;quot;imperceptible&amp;quot; so I fail to see any appeal other than the price)</text></comment>