Galaxy Buds Pro Are About to Become Hearing Aids
Hearing test and sound amplification feature arrives on Buds Pro 3 and Pro 4 models later this year, initially in the US and select markets.
Hearing test and sound amplification feature arrives on Buds Pro 3 and Pro 4 models later this year, initially in the US and select markets.
Samsung announced on Monday that it has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to use its wireless earbuds, the Galaxy Buds Pro 3 and Galaxy Buds Pro 4, as over-the-counter hearing aids. The feature, which includes an at-home hearing test, is expected to become available during the fourth quarter of this year.
The new functionality will allow users aged 18 and older to take a hearing test that Samsung claims delivers medical-grade results in just five minutes. The test is initiated directly from the earbuds' settings on a compatible Galaxy phone, and the results are stored in the Samsung Health app.
Based on the results, the earbuds will automatically amplify sounds that the user has difficulty hearing, such as whispers, distant voices, and high frequencies. The feature also leverages the earbuds' existing capabilities, including noise cancellation and beamforming to focus on sound coming from in front of the user.
While this offers significant savings compared to traditional hearing aids, which can cost thousands of dollars, Samsung emphasizes that this option is not for everyone. "This feature is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment by a qualified clinician," the company stated in a press release. Individuals with more severe hearing loss should still consult an audiologist.
Full support will require a compatible Galaxy device running One UI 8 or later, meaning users with older phones will likely need to upgrade their software or device.
The hearing aid feature will be available in the US and in "select approved markets" starting in the fourth quarter of 2026, which is after September 30. There is no official confirmation yet as to whether or when this functionality will be enabled for the Croatian market.
With this move, Samsung follows Apple, which already offers a similar experience with its AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3. Both companies are now using their popular wireless earbuds as a platform for more affordable hearing enhancement solutions, making the technology more accessible to the general population.
