Wearable tech is everywhere, from the latest Apple Watch to the futuristic wearable glucose monitor from Levels. Tech journalists like to call this new class of devices "wearables."
Recently I started hearing a new term, "hearables." The word describes a new category of intelligent, multifunctional devices we wear in our ears.
Most commonly, the term "hearables" describes products that are one part hearing aid and one part headphone.
Let's take a closer look at hearables, what they promise and which brands are leading the way.
What are hearables?
The word "hearables" isn't in the dictionary, but most people agree that the word describes multifunctional headphones. You can think of a hearable as a headphone with superpowers.
Typically a hearable device combines Bluetooth streaming with hearing-aid-like features or health-tracking information.
Most often, you'll see the term used to describe hearing aids that look like headphones or share consumer electronics feature sets.
Hearables Vs. OTC Hearing Aids
Here is where things get a little confusing. In late 2022 the FDA made some hearing aids available over the counter. Many "hearables" of the past are now marketed as OTC hearing aids.
So are hearables and OTC hearing aids the same thing? Yes, most of the time. To illustrate what I mean, let's look at the top "hearable" products on the market.
Final Thoughts
The term "hearables" may fade as OTC hearing aids grow in popularity and traditional hearing aids add consumer electronics features like Bluetooth and fitness tracking.
For now, I'm glad the term is hanging around. It serves as a reminder that hearing aids are more intelligent and flexible than ever.
