This is actually one of the most significant features of the AirPods Pro 3, even though it doesn't get as much attention as things like noise cancellation. Yes, they can function as FDA-authorized hearing aids for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.

This Is a Big Deal

Traditional hearing aids cost anywhere from $2,000 to $7,000 per pair. And there's a stigma around wearing them. Many people who need hearing help don't get it because they don't want "hearing aid" devices.

The AirPods Pro 3 flip that script. They're $249, they look like normal earbuds that millions of people wear every day, and they're FDA-authorized to help with hearing loss. That's genuinely groundbreaking.

How It Actually Works

It's not just making everything louder. Here's the process:

1. You take a hearing test built into your iPhone (takes about 5 minutes in a quiet room)
2. The test measures your hearing at different frequencies
3. If you have mild to moderate loss, the hearing aid feature becomes available
4. The AirPods then boost specific frequencies based on YOUR hearing profile

So if you've lost some high-frequency hearing (super common as we age), the AirPods amplify those frequencies while leaving lower frequencies alone. It's personalized to your ears.

Setting It Up

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Hearing on your iPhone. You'll need iOS 18.1 or later. Take the hearing test when prompted, and if your results show mild to moderate loss, you can enable hearing aid mode.

What It's Good For

• Conversations: The real-time processing helps you hear people talking more clearly
• Phone calls: Your hearing profile is applied to calls
• TV and music: Media gets adjusted too
• Transparency mode: Hear the world around you better

What It's NOT Good For

• Severe hearing loss - this is designed for mild to moderate cases only
• Replacing a professional audiologist evaluation
• All-day use with limited battery

The Honest Take

If you have significant hearing loss, the AirPods Pro 3 won't replace proper hearing aids fitted by a professional. But for the millions of people with mild hearing loss who haven't done anything about it? This is an accessible, affordable, stigma-free option that might actually help.

Check current AirPods Pro 3 prices

If you're coming from AirPods Pro 2, the Pro 3 will feel different in your ears right away. Apple didn't just tweak the design - they basically started over.

What's Actually Different

The earbuds themselves are shaped differently. They sit deeper in your ear canal and the part that sticks out has a different angle. Apple says they scanned 10,000 ears and spent 100,000+ hours researching this design.

The biggest change you'll notice is the ear tips. They're now a hybrid design with silicone on the outside and memory foam on the inside. Apple added a fifth size too - XXS - so there's now five options instead of four.

Some People Love the New Fit

A lot of users say the Pro 3 feel more secure. The hybrid tips seal better, which helps both with noise isolation and keeping them in place during workouts. If you had issues with Pro 2s falling out during runs, these might solve that.

Some People Hate It

The new design pushes differently against your ear. Some folks find that the top part of the earbud presses uncomfortably against the upper ear. After about an hour, this can get annoying.

Others just find the deeper insertion uncomfortable. If you don't like things sitting far into your ear canal, the Pro 3 design might not be for you.

Give Them Time

Here's the thing - the hybrid tips actually break in a bit. They soften over the first week or so. A lot of people who found them uncomfortable on day one said they felt much better after a few days. Don't return them after one listening session.

Finding Your Fit

Run the Ear Tip Fit Test (Settings > Bluetooth > tap your AirPods > Ear Tip Fit Test). It'll tell you if you have a good seal. If not, try different sizes. Pro tip: it's totally normal to use different sizes in each ear. Most people's ears aren't identical.

If none of the five included sizes work, third-party foam tips are available. Or, honestly, some ear shapes just work better with the Pro 2 design.

Check current AirPods Pro 3 prices

So you're trying to decide between the three big flagship earbuds? Let me break down how the AirPods Pro 3 stack up against the Sony WF-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds.

Noise Cancellation - AirPods Win

This is a big shift. Bose used to own this category, but the AirPods Pro 3 now have the best noise cancellation of the three. Apple claims twice the ANC of the Pro 2, and independent tests back this up.

In real-world plane testing, the ranking went: AirPods Pro 3 first, Sony second, Bose third. The Sonys do excel at blocking high-frequency noise thanks to their foam tips, but overall, Apple takes this round.

Sound Quality - Sony Wins

If pure audio quality is your top priority, the Sony WF-1000XM5 are still the earbuds to beat. They have deeper bass, more detailed mids, and better soundstage. Music sounds more nuanced and engaging.

The AirPods Pro 3 sound good - clean and balanced - but audiophiles typically prefer Sony's tuning. Some people think the new AirPods have too much bass compared to the more neutral Pro 2.

Bose goes for warm, bass-heavy sound. Great if you like that, less great if you want accuracy.

Features - AirPods Win by a Mile

This isn't even close. The AirPods Pro 3 have heart rate monitoring, FDA-approved hearing aid functionality, Live Translation, and seamless Apple ecosystem integration.

Sony and Bose offer customizable EQ and spatial audio, but they don't have anything like Apple's health features.

However: If you use Android or care about high-resolution audio, Sony supports LDAC codec for better streaming quality. AirPods are stuck with AAC.

Price

• AirPods Pro 3: $249
• Sony WF-1000XM5: $299 (but often on sale for $250)
• Bose QC Ultra: $299

The AirPods are actually the most affordable option.

The Bottom Line

Get the AirPods Pro 3 if: You use iPhone, want the health features, or prioritize noise cancellation.

Get the Sony WF-1000XM5 if: Sound quality is everything to you, or you use Android and want LDAC support.

Get the Bose QC Ultra if: You prioritize comfort and prefer Bose's warm sound signature.

Check current AirPods Pro 3 prices