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Apple's AirPods Pro hearing health features

(www.theverge.com)
282 points elsewhen | 4 comments | 22 Oct 24 00:25 UTC | HN request time: 0.002s | source
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irjustin ◴[22 Oct 24 02:54 UTC] No.41910763[source]▶
> Transparency mode in many of today’s earbuds sounds totally natural and lifelike, yet I still constantly remove my buds to show someone they’ve got my undivided attention. That way of thinking has to change when popular earbuds start pulling double duty as hearing aids. It’s a powerful way to reduce the stigma that’s all too common with hearing aids, but this shift will take time.

This will never be not true. You're fighting human nature. The vast majority of people don't need hearing aids and those who do you'll likely know they need a hearing aid if you're having regular or more personal conversations.

If you're getting your order taken at Starbucks, you can totally have ears in even today.

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azinman2 ◴[22 Oct 24 04:05 UTC] No.41911086[source]▶
> If you're getting your order taken at Starbucks, you can totally have ears in even today.

Prior to hearing aid features, I’d say this is actually quite rude even if you “can.” I don’t think the service workers taking your order appreciate this very much.

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1. ghaff ◴[22 Oct 24 11:07 UTC] No.41913121[source]▶
Why? I’m giving an order and basically getting an ACK.
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2. azinman2 ◴[22 Oct 24 13:51 UTC] No.41914261[source]▶
Because you’re interacting with another human being who is there helping you. I’m guessing you’ve never worked retail/service before. People treat retail/service workers like shit all the time. To wear an AirPod while ordering is another distancing layer that dehumanizes the other person.
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3. FumblingBear ◴[22 Oct 24 16:09 UTC] No.41915754[source]▶
I always take out headphones when interacting with service workers, but I'd say at this point a solid 80% of them have their own airpods in even when taking orders or in a directly customer facing role. I think the social stigma has just changed over time.
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4. azinman2 ◴[22 Oct 24 18:47 UTC] No.41917387{3}[source]▶
I’m not seeing people working with their own AirPods in. I would not think very highly of such an employee.