Your Galaxy Buds will soon double as hearing aids, catching up to AirPods Pro

Digital hearing aids have come a long way since they first became commercially available in the late 1980s. Until very recently, hearing aids required a medical test and a prescription from an audiologist, but the regulations finalized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2022 shattered the wall, allowing the sale of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. Anyone can buy and use these hearing aids, so long as the devices meet the FDA’s standards, and we’ve since seen a rise in regular Bluetooth earbuds getting the ability to act as hearing aids.

In 2024, Apple announced its Hearing Aid feature with the AirPods Pro 2. Two years later, Samsung is following suit with similar functionality on its top-tier wireless earbuds. Samsung recently confirmed that it has finally received a nod from the FDA in the US, allowing the Galaxy Buds to be sold as OTC hearing aids. Users can test their hearing in the Galaxy Wearable app, which Samsung says detects hearing impairments with medical-grade accuracy.

If the app detects any hearing loss, it will advise you to set up the earbuds as hearing aids. Samsung says the earbuds’ output will be customized to each person’s hearing profile. But they will also have the option to override automatic settings to some degree.

Using this feature, folks with hearing challenges will be able to choose between using both earbuds together or using just one. They will also have control over the volume, as well as whether the sound comes from the front only or all sides. Additionally, there’s an option to alter the level of background noise reduction.

Models that will support the feature include Samsung’s flagship Galaxy Buds 4 Pro as well as the previous-gen Buds 3 Pro. Both devices support the NAL-NL2 standard to calculate precise loudness levels for individual users.

Samsung says the Hearing Aids feature will roll out in Q4 2026 in the US and other markets where it has secured regulatory approval. We’ll ensure notifying you when the update starts rolling out.