Welcome to Tech Health Today. If you’ve ever felt left out in a crowded room or watched a loved one struggle to follow a conversation, this episode is for you. About 30 million Americans have hearing loss in both ears, yet only one in five use hearing aids—often because traditional devices cost between two and seven thousand dollars and require an audiologist.

Now, new over-the-counter options are changing the game. Nuance glasses, at twelve hundred dollars, hide microphones and beam-forming speakers in their frames. Apple’s AirPods Pro 2, unlocked by a software update, act as hearing aids for just two-fifty. Even bean-sized buds from Sony can amplify sound and handle calls.

As NYU’s Nicholas Reed notes, “It’s good that we’re seeing people in their 30s, 40s, and 50s talking about it, because it’s totally changing the paradigm for them of engaging in hearing care earlier.” He adds, “Sensory input is so key to our existence, but we just sort of overlooked it for so long.”

Still, adoption remains slow. Over-the-counter aids have been available since 2022, but uptake hasn’t surged. For older adults, new tech can feel daunting. Yet the potential is clear: glasses that improve vision and hearing, earbuds that guide you safely across a street, tech that helps you stay connected—and age with confidence. Thanks for listening to Tech Health Today.
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