AirPods Pro 3 “Bloodgate”? The Truth About Comfort & Fit

AirPods Pro 3 bring some major upgrades, but not everyone is having a great experience. Recently, a topic dubbed “Bloodgate” has been circulating online, with users reporting discomfort, irritation, and even abrasions from the new foam-infused ear tips. In this video, I break down what’s actually going on based on my real-world use and objective lab data from HearAdvisor....

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PubMed·Journal article·OTC / consumer·2w ago

An Evaluation of Preset Collection Size in Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids

Clinicians counseling patients on OTC hearing aids should be aware that the number of preset options can meaningfully affect usability for older or less tech-savvy users, but specific prescriptive guidance awaits broader replication.

Hearing Tracker·Journal article·OTC / consumer·3w ago

OTC Hearing Aids Can Help, but Professional Fitting Still Matters, Says JAMA Study

Professional fitting continues to add measurable benefit over self-fitting for OTC hearing aids; audiologists can cite this JAMA study to reinforce the clinical value of their services to patients considering OTC devices.

Hearing Tracker·Industry news·OTC / consumer·2d ago

New VA Pilot Program Would Test OTC Hearing Aids for Veterans

If the VA pilot demonstrates that OTC hearing aids are effective for veterans, it could accelerate the broader shift toward non-clinical hearing-care pathways and reshape how a major public payer delivers audiology services.

ASHA Voices·Podcast·OTC / consumer·2y ago

Examining the First Year of Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids

A panel of audiologists with varied professional perspectives reviews the first year of OTC hearing aid availability, covering uptake, patient satisfaction, and common misconceptions.

Audiology Worldnews·Industry news·OTC / consumer·4w ago

French hearing industry and profession protest online arrival of €15 hearing aids

The arrival of sub-€20 OTC hearing aids in a regulated European market signals a potential disruption to professional hearing care models and raises unresolved questions about device safety standards and patient outcomes.

Doctor Cliff, AuD·Video·OTC / consumer·6w ago

The Truth About Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids

Dr. Cliff argues OTC hearing aids have indirectly benefited audiology by prompting some consumers to seek professional care after trying self-fitting devices first.

ASHA Voices·Blog·OTC / consumer·3y ago

With the Arrival of OTCs, Pharmacists Could Be Key Allies for Audiologists

Formalising pharmacist–audiologist collaboration could improve appropriate referral pathways as OTC hearing aids become widely available in retail pharmacy settings.

The Hearing Review YouTube·Podcast·OTC / consumer·2y ago

OTC Hearing Aids and How FDA Rules Might Change Hearing Care, with Dr Tom Powers

Audiologist Thomas Powers, PhD, and Hearing Review Editor Karl Strom discuss four key aspects of the proposed FDA OTC hearing aid regulations, including output limits and return-for-credit policies.