Nachrichten
Apple Unveils AirPods Pro 3 with Breakthrough Audio and Hearing-Related Features
Apple's AirPods Pro 3 improves significantly on the earbuds' functionality as an OTC hearing aid.)
Veröffentlicht am Sep 9, 2025
:format(webp))
At its “Awe Dropping” event, Apple today unveiled the AirPods Pro 3 alongside the new iPhone Air and a refreshed Apple Watch lineup—emphasizing both audio innovation and accessibility.
What's exceptionally exciting for hearing healthcare is the AirPods Pro 3, the latest generation of its popular in-ear headphones, which combine breakthrough audio performance with new over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid-related features. Priced at $249—the same as the previous model—AirPods Pro 3, when used in the Hearing Aid Mode, should represent a new and affordable OTC hearing aid alternative. They are available for pre-order today and will ship starting September 19, 2025.
Below are the key highlights of the new AirPods Pro 3 earbuds as they relate to hearing healthcare. (Also see HearingTracker's tutorial on how to use AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods as OTC hearing aids and Apple's "Pioneering Hearing" webpage.
:format(webp))
One of the biggest limitations of using AirPods Pro 2 in terms of OTC hearing aid functionality was their short battery life of just 4 to 6 hours in the Hearing Aid or Transparency mode. AirPods Pro 3 extend that to 10 hours on a single charge—a 4-hour improvement—giving users who rely on assistive listening significantly more time throughout the day. Apple also noted that battery life in active noise cancellation (ANC) mode while listening to music now reaches 8 hours, making these the longest-lasting AirPods yet.
AirPods Pro 3 feature a new multi-port acoustic architecture that controls the airflow carrying sound into the ear, improving users' spatial listening experience. With new Adaptive EQ, it boosts bass, widens the soundstage, and sharpens vocals across music, calls, and streaming.
Apple says its updated ANC is twice as effective as AirPods Pro 2 and up to four times more powerful than the original AirPods Pro. Ultra-low-noise microphones, advanced computational audio, and new foam-infused ear tips (available in 5 sizes) further improve isolation. Transparency mode has also been upgraded with Own Voice, allowing conversations to sound more natural.
To enhance comfort and stability, Apple studied over 10,000 3D ear scans and more than 100,000 hours of user research. The outcome is a smaller, ergonomically optimized design with ear tips made to stay secure even during intense workouts. AirPods Pro 3 also earn an Ingress Protection (IP) rating of IP57, making them more sweat- and water-resistant than any previous AirPods—durable enough for gym sessions or running in the rain and closer to the IP68 rating that is the “gold standard” for moisture- and dirt-resistant hearing aids.
Another standout feature is live translation, powered by Apple Intelligence on iPhone. With a simple gesture, AirPods Pro 3 can reportedly translate conversations in real time. When someone speaks in another language, ANC automatically lowers their voice so the translation is easier to hear, while your responses can be displayed or spoken in their language on the iPhone.
Currently being rolled out in a beta version, Live Translation on AirPods is available in English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish, and will be coming to four more languages by the end of the year, including Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (simplified).
For the first time, AirPods Pro 3 now include a heart-rate sensor that works with built-in motion tracking and Apple Intelligence on iPhone to monitor workouts more precisely. Users can track heart rate, calories burned, and over 50 activity types—all feeding into the Fitness app to close Move rings and earn awards. The new Workout Buddy feature also provides real-time, personalized motivation during exercise.
HearingTracker already cited AirPods Pro 2 as being among the best affordable OTC hearing aids under $500, though their battery life and own-voice occlusion were drawbacks. With AirPods Pro 3, Apple has made significant progress on both fronts. The new devices do not feature Auracast broadcast technology, which is offered in some hearing aids with Bluetooth Low Energy (LE).
Independent testing by HearAdvisor previously awarded AirPods Pro 2 a “B” SoundGrade, outperforming many OTC competitors in speech understanding in noise. They were rated average in speech-in-quiet, below average in noise, and excelled in feedback control. While AirPods Pro are excellent for music streaming, the closed eartip design can sometimes make your own voice sound occluded—something Apple aims to reduce with the new Own Voice technology.
Karl Strom ist der Chefredakteur von HearingTracker. Er war Gründungsredakteur von The Hearing Review und berichtet seit über 30 Jahren über die Hörhilfenindustrie.
