They aren't as bad as they used to be. You can get over-the-counter hearing aids in the $200-500 range nowadays.
Even so, at $250, AirPods Pro are in a pretty good spot. The main drawback I see is that the earbuds don't have all-day battery life; users will need to recharge them in the case periodically.
Because the 'good' hearing aids cost thousands of dollars, and a lot of their added value is in various forms of sound processing. I can see apple doing quite well at that.
> The main drawback I see is that the earbuds don't have all-day battery life; users will need to recharge them in the case periodically.
Yeah definitely, though if we are comparing them to 'good' hearing aids then at that price you could buy two pairs and rotate them through the charging case and still come out ahead.
Their range is fairly limited, but not necessarily in a bad way. Compared to what other audiologists recommend/prescribe, Costco's stuff was about half the price.
OTC hearing aids - no idea.