“For me, the primary reason for using hearing aids has never been about simply increasing clarity — it’s about improving how I process sound. In busy environments, like restaurants or meetings, it can be difficult to focus on a single voice among the background noise. My hearing aids have been life-changing in that respect, allowing me to pick out speech more clearly and stay engaged in conversation where before I might have struggled.
When I first explored the idea of using hearing aids, I wasn’t sure whether they would make a noticeable difference for me. The trial option offered by RJD Hearing was ideal — it gave me the opportunity to experience the technology in my daily life before making a commitment. That trial period was invaluable and ultimately proved that hearing aids would provide a real and lasting benefit.
Another major driver for me has been missing phone calls or important alerts. These moments can be critical, both personally and professionally, and initially, my Phonak hearing aids did an excellent job ensuring I didn’t miss them. However, as my technology ecosystem evolved — particularly after introducing the Apple Watch — things have become more complicated.
Unfortunately, Apple does not currently support notification management with hearing devices when using an Apple Watch. There’s no option to maintain the phone-based notifications that once worked perfectly. Even after trying the new AirPods Pro, I’ve found that while they offer some functionality — like announcing messages — it can quickly become overwhelming. Having long messages read out during a meeting isn’t always practical, and the system still doesn’t provide a balanced or context-aware solution.
Despite these challenges, I continue to use the Apple Watch because it offers several key benefits that are difficult to give up. The fitness tracking features are excellent, providing real-time insights into activity levels and helping me monitor my overall wellbeing. Heart rate monitoring during exercise gives a useful view of performance and recovery, and the convenience of contactless payments makes daily life simpler. These features collectively make the Apple Watch an important part of my routine, even if it introduces some limitations when paired with hearing technology.
That said, AirPods do have strong points. The noise cancellation is outstanding and can be a real relief in overstimulating environments. However, I still find my Phonak hearing aids far more comfortable for long periods of wear. AirPods can feel less natural after extended use, and in social settings, they often create an awkward impression — people assume you’re listening to music or not paying attention, which can make interactions uncomfortable.
For that reason, I continue to rely on my Phonaks for day-to-day use, switching to AirPods only when I specifically need noise cancellation or when listening to media. In those cases, Apple’s audio quality and spatial sound are exceptional.
If Apple were ever to develop a more discreet in-ear device that combined the comfort and hearing support of dedicated hearing aids with the sound quality and intelligence of AirPods, I would adopt them without hesitation. Until then, I’ll continue to balance the benefits of both — using the Phonaks for clarity, comfort, and connection, and the AirPods and Apple Watch for fitness, convenience, and high-quality media experiences.”
Thanks
David