Well After 50

Tag: Medicare

  • AirPods as Hearing Aids: Can a $199 Pair Really Replace $4,000 Hearing Aids After 50?

    AirPods as Hearing Aids: Can a $199 Pair Really Replace $4,000 Hearing Aids After 50?

    Apple’s earbuds can now work as over-the-counter hearing aids, and they’re on sale for Black Friday. Here’s who they help, who they don’t, and what to check before you spend a dime.

    Most of us don’t like to talk about this one. Somewhere along the way, a lot of us started saying “What?” more than we used to. We turn the TV up a notch. We nod along at the restaurant table and hope we laughed at the right part.

    And when we finally think about doing something about it, we find out a pair of hearing aids from an audiologist can run $4,000 to $7,000. Original Medicare doesn’t pay for them. That’s enough to make anybody put it off another year.

    So when folks heard that a pair of Apple AirPods Pro can work as a hearing aid, and that AirPods Pro 3 are going for about $199 in early Black Friday sales, down from $249, a lot of ears perked up.

    Check today’s price on AirPods Pro 3 at Amazon

    I dug through the reviews, the studies and what the hearing experts are saying. Here’s what I found, for men and women alike.

    Can AirPods Really Work as Hearing Aids?

    Yes, for some people. In September 2024 the FDA authorized Apple’s hearing aid feature as the first over-the-counter hearing aid software. It runs on AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3. Regular AirPods don’t have it.

    It’s made for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. That’s the kind where quiet talk gets muddy, voices blur in a busy room and you keep asking folks to repeat themselves. It is not made for severe hearing loss.

    Here’s what you get:

    • A free hearing test. You take it at home with your AirPods and iPhone. It takes about five minutes and gives you a hearing chart you can show your doctor.
    • Hearing aid mode. The AirPods use your test results to turn up the sounds you’re missing, like voices, and leave the rest alone.
    • Hearing protection. They can turn down loud noise like a lawn mower, a concert or a ballgame crowd.
    • Regular earbuds too. Phone calls, music, audiobooks and TV straight into your ears.

    AirPods vs. Hearing Aids: The Real Costs

    Option Typical price Battery Who it fits
    AirPods Pro 3 About $199 to $249 About 8 to 10 hours in hearing mode Mild to moderate loss, iPhone users
    Other OTC hearing aids About $300 to $1,500 Most run 16 to 24 hours Mild to moderate loss
    Prescription hearing aids About $4,000 to $7,000 a pair All day Any level, fitted by a pro

    Prices come from 24/7 Wall St., the National Council on Aging and HearingTracker. They change with sales, so check before you buy.

    What the Hearing Experts Say

    I didn’t want to take Apple’s word for it, so I looked at what the people who test hearing aids for a living found.

    The good news. The audiologists at HearingTracker, Dr. Steve Taddei and Dr. Abram Bailey, gave AirPods Pro 3 a 4.1 out of 5. They said they can do the job as OTC hearing aids at a fair price. Jill Waldbieser at the National Council on Aging found they sound good in quiet places and make a fine way to try hearing help before buying real hearing aids.

    The not-so-good news. Tech writer Stewart Wolpin tested them for Techlicious and called them “still flawed” as hearing aids. In loud places, like a room full of people talking, they sometimes cut back the help right when he needed it most. Wind noise was a problem outdoors. And the settings were scattered across several screens, which he said would be hard on folks who aren’t comfortable with phones. HearingTracker’s testers had the same gripe about the settings.

    Pretty much everybody agrees on three things:

    • The battery won’t last all day. Plan on putting them back in the case for a while at lunch.
    • They’re easy to spot. Some folks don’t mind that. Earbuds are everywhere now. Others want something more hidden.
    • Fit matters. If they keep slipping, try the other ear tip sizes in the box.

    Why Your Hearing Matters More Than You Think

    This isn’t just about catching the punch line. Dr. Frank Lin, founder of the Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health at Johns Hopkins, co-led a big study called ACHIEVE, published in The Lancet in 2023.

    Across everybody in the study, hearing help didn’t make a big difference in memory and thinking over three years. But in one group of older adults who were most at risk, it slowed the decline in thinking skills by 48%. The researchers say that finding needs more study, but it’s worth knowing.

    Hearing also ties into getting out and staying connected. When it’s hard to follow a conversation, a lot of us quit going to the places where conversations happen. If that sounds familiar, I wrote about making new friends after 50 too.

    Who Should Try AirPods First (and Who Shouldn’t)

    They might be a good fit if:

    • You already use an iPhone.
    • Your trouble is mild, like soft voices, TV dialogue or busy restaurants.
    • You want to try hearing help without spending thousands.
    • You’d use them part of the day, not from sunup to bedtime.

    Skip them and see a doctor or audiologist first if you have:

    • Hearing that went away suddenly in one or both ears.
    • One ear that’s a lot worse than the other.
    • Ringing, roaring or buzzing in your ears.
    • Ear pain or dizziness.
    • No idea how bad your hearing loss is.

    That list comes from Dr. Devin McCaslin, director of audiology at Michigan Medicine. Those can be signs of something a doctor needs to look at. He also points out that 72% of men over 65 have never had a hearing test, so fellas, that one’s for us.

    And if you use an Android phone, these aren’t your best pick. The hearing features need an iPhone or iPad. An OTC hearing aid built for Android will serve you better.

    How to Turn On the Hearing Aid Feature

    Once your AirPods Pro 2 or 3 are connected to an iPhone with the latest iOS update, here’s how it goes, according to Apple’s own instructions:

    1. Put your AirPods in and sit somewhere quiet.
    2. Open Settings and tap your AirPods’ name near the top.
    3. Tap Take a Hearing Test. If you don’t see it, tap Hearing Health first. It takes about five minutes.
    4. Go back and tap Hearing Assistance.
    5. Follow the steps and turn on Hearing Aid.

    Already have a hearing test from an audiologist? You can use those results instead of taking Apple’s test.

    Ask a family member or a neighbor to help with setup if you’d like. I reckon there’s no shame in that. Better to have somebody show you twice than fumble with it for a week.

    Shopping Smart This Black Friday

    • Make sure it says “Pro.” Only AirPods Pro 2 and Pro 3 have the hearing aid feature. The cheaper regular AirPods don’t.
    • Buy from a real store. Fake AirPods are all over the internet, and they won’t have the hearing features. Stick with Apple, Amazon (sold by Amazon), Best Buy, Target, Walmart or Costco.
    • Check the return policy. If they don’t fit your ears or don’t help, you want your money back.
    • Look at your Medicare Advantage plan. Some plans give an allowance for hearing aids. Open enrollment runs through December 7, so it’s a good time to compare plans on Medicare.gov.
    • Got an HSA or FSA? Ask your plan whether OTC hearing aids count. Some do.

    The Bottom Line

    AirPods Pro won’t replace a good pair of prescription hearing aids for everybody. But for a lot of us with mild hearing trouble and an iPhone in our pocket, they’re a cheap, easy way to find out how much we’ve been missing.

    Like the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Take that free hearing test. Even if you never use the hearing aid part, you’ll know where you stand. Then you can decide what to do next.

    Want more tools that make life easier after 50? Take a look at AI Tools for Seniors Living Alone and Best Free AI for Seniors.

    Other Voices Worth Following

    Dr. Frank Lin, founder of the Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health at Johns Hopkins and co-lead researcher of the ACHIEVE study.

    Dr. Abram Bailey and Dr. Steve Taddei, audiologists at HearingTracker, who test and compare hearing aids for regular folks.

    Jill Waldbieser, senior writer at the National Council on Aging, who reviewed AirPods as hearing aids.

    Stewart Wolpin, tech writer at Techlicious, for an honest look at where AirPods fall short.

    Research Sources

    Well After 50 isn’t paid by Apple. This article has one Amazon affiliate link, so I may earn a small commission if you buy through it, at no extra cost to you. Prices were checked in early November 2026 and may change.

    Keep Reading

    Your Turn

    Have you tried the AirPods hearing test, or are you wearing hearing aids already? What helped and what didn’t? Tell me in the comments. Somebody reading might be on the fence and could use your two cents.

    About the Author

    Tom Green writes Well After 50. At 64, he shares practical research and everyday experiences about staying active, living well, and making the most of life after 50. He believes it’s never too late to keep learning.

    Tom is not a doctor, audiologist or tech professional. This article is for general education only. Talk with your doctor or a hearing professional about your own hearing.

    I’ve also mapped out more helpful tools on my Tech for Independent Living After 50 page.

  • Medicare Open Enrollment 2026: Your Drug Plan Premium Could Jump 50% If You Don’t Check Before Dec. 7

    Medicare Open Enrollment 2026: Your Drug Plan Premium Could Jump 50% If You Don’t Check Before Dec. 7

    Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026. If you have Medicare, this is your opportunity to review your health and prescription coverage for 2027. Changes you make during this period generally take effect January 1, 2027. Start with the official Medicare Open Enrollment information.

    It can be tempting to keep the plan you already have, especially if it worked well this year. But premiums, prescription costs, covered medications, doctors, and plan benefits can change from one year to the next. Taking a little time to review your coverage could help you avoid an unwelcome surprise.

    Why Medicare Open Enrollment Matters This Year

    Your current plan may not offer exactly the same coverage in 2027. Read the Annual Notice of Change from your insurer carefully. It explains changes to your plan’s costs, benefits, and coverage rules.

    This is particularly important if you take prescription medications regularly or rely on specific doctors, specialists, or pharmacies. You do not have to switch plans just because enrollment arrives—but you should know what you are agreeing to for the coming year.

    1. The Part D Deductible Is Changing

    For 2027, the maximum standard Medicare Part D deductible is scheduled to rise from $615 in 2026 to $700 in 2027. Some plans may have a lower deductible or no deductible, so not everyone will pay the maximum.

    2. The Out-of-Pocket Drug Spending Threshold Is Rising

    The annual out-of-pocket threshold for covered Part D drugs is scheduled to increase from $2,100 in 2026 to $2,400 in 2027. Your actual costs depend on your coverage and circumstances. These figures are a reason to check your plan—not a prediction that everyone will spend these amounts.

    When comparing plans, look beyond the monthly premium. Consider the deductible, the price of each prescription you take, and the total you could pay over the whole year.

    3. Are Prescription Drug Plan Premiums Going Up?

    Federal projections put the average monthly premium for standalone Part D prescription drug plans at about $36 in 2027, compared with $35.09 in 2026. That is an average—not a promise about what your own plan will cost. Individual plans can cost more or less, so check your plan’s actual 2027 notice rather than assuming your premium will rise by a particular amount.

    Don’t Just Let Your Drug Plan Roll Over

    Here’s the catch with that $36 average. Juliette Cubanski and her team at KFF looked closer and found that if folks with standalone drug plans just stay put, their average premium could jump from about $34 to $51 a month in 2027. That’s a 50% raise. There also aren’t any $0-premium standalone drug plans next year. One of the big national plans, AARP Medicare Rx Preferred, is expected to average about $204 a month, up from $126. The good news is that most of that increase can be avoided by shopping around. That’s what this window is for.

    4. What About GLP-1 Weight-Loss Medicines?

    Medicare’s temporary GLP-1 Bridge program is separate from ordinary Part D coverage. Eligible beneficiaries may be able to access certain medicines through the program for a $50 monthly copayment during its announced period, which runs through December 31, 2027. Eligibility and covered medicines are limited, and the program’s copayment does not count toward the standard Part D deductible or out-of-pocket threshold. Do not assume every weight-loss medicine is covered for every person; check current official Medicare information for the rules that apply to you.

    5. Two Trustworthy Places to Get Help

    Medicare.gov: Visit Medicare.gov’s health and drug plan section to compare plans and review prescription coverage. Check whether your medicines, doctors, and preferred pharmacy fit the plan you are considering.

    SHIP—State Health Insurance Assistance Programs: Visit SHIPhelp.org to find free, unbiased Medicare counseling in your state. SHIP counselors can help you understand your choices and compare coverage without trying to sell you a particular plan. If you would rather speak with Medicare directly, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

    6. Be Careful With Unexpected Medicare Calls

    Enrollment season can bring advertisements and calls from people offering insurance help. Some contacts may be legitimate, but be cautious if an unexpected caller pressures you to act immediately, asks for personal information, or claims you will lose benefits unless you respond right away.

    Do not share your Medicare number or financial information with an unverified caller. If you want to check an offer, contact Medicare using its official number or speak with a SHIP counselor. You can take your time and ask questions before making a decision.

    Your Medicare Open Enrollment Checklist

    • Read your Annual Notice of Change.
    • Make a list of your current prescriptions and check their 2027 costs.
    • Confirm that your doctors and preferred pharmacy are in the plan’s network.
    • Compare premiums, deductibles, prescription costs, and benefits for the full year.
    • Use Medicare.gov or contact SHIP if you need help.
    • Make any changes by December 7, 2026.

    You do not have to change plans if you have checked the details and your current coverage still meets your needs. The important thing is to make that decision with current information rather than simply assuming everything stayed the same.

    Check Your Plan’s Hearing Benefit

    Original Medicare doesn’t pay for hearing aids, but a lot of Medicare Advantage plans offer an allowance. Look at the exact dollar amount and which hearing provider you have to use. If your hearing’s slipping, I wrote about whether AirPods Pro can work as hearing aids for a lot less money.

    Common Questions About Medicare Open Enrollment

    When is Medicare Open Enrollment in 2026?

    It runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026. Changes generally take effect January 1, 2027.

    Do I have to change my Medicare plan?

    No. Review your upcoming costs, benefits, doctors, and medications, then decide whether your current plan still fits your needs.

    Where can I get free help comparing plans?

    Visit SHIPhelp.org to find free, unbiased counseling in your state, or compare options at Medicare.gov.

    What if I miss the December 7 deadline?

    Your options depend on your circumstances and whether you qualify for another enrollment period. Visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to understand your options.

    Disclaimer: This article provides general educational information, not individualized Medicare, insurance, or financial advice. Check official Medicare resources and your plan documents before making coverage decisions.

    Keep Reading

    About the AuthorTom Green writes Well After 50. He’s just a regular, laid-back 64-year-old who keeps things simple. He shares what he learns about skincare, fitness and getting older, and what’s working for him. He’s also the author of A Practical Guide to Getting Older Without Giving Up on Yourself. Tom isn’t a doctor. He reads up on the research and passes along what’s useful, plain and simple.

    I’ve also mapped out some great tools on my new Tech for Independent Living After 50 page.

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