Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs. Audien Hearing Atom X

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are wireless earbuds that offer hearing aid functionality. Our tests show they effectively amplify speech in everyday situations. While background noise can be challenging, proper tuning and reducing ambient noise reduction pushes the AirPods Pro 3 closer to being a truly competitive OTC hearing aid.

A clever touchscreen charging case and long battery life modernize Audien's budget lineup—but speech clarity (especially in noise) still trails many OTC rivals.

Apple AirPods Pro 3 achieved a SoundScore of 3.38/5 and a SoundGrade of B in HearAdvisor lab testing. The OTC Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 3.47/5.

Audien Atom X achieved a SoundScore of 2.98/5 and a SoundGrade of B in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #9 of 61 OTC Hearing Aid devices tested. The OTC Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 3.47/5.

The build quality is solid with a pocket-worthy portable case. AirPods 3 also have a slightly improved IP57 rating meaning they should offer better protection from debris and moisture. AirPods commonly last around 2-3 years.

Audien Atom X hearing aids lack an IP rating, so they might not be the best against moisture or dust. While using them they feel decently built and they do come with an excellent portable charging case.

Airpods Pro 3 offer around 10 hours of use per charge with their Hearing Aid feature. This is an improvement over the previous generation. While this still may not be enough for all-day use, recharge time is fast with several quick-charge options.

Atom X offer up to 12 hours of battery life, which is less than many of Audien's hearing aids. Recharging will take roughly 3-4 hours, with the case offering several additional full charges.

I have found Bluetooth to work almost flawlessly on iPhones, offering a solid connection every time. I can't speak for Android devices though Apple reports they are fully compatible with other Bluetooth devices.

Atom X offer wireless control and streaming for both iOS and Android. This is the key new addition for Atom X and I found it to work very well.

AirPods Pro 3 offer impressive and useful features to aid speech clarity. I particularly like the ability to take an app based hearing test, or directly upload hearing thresholds. While the menu system is not user-friendly, you also have other options for personalizing your experience such as active noise cancellation.

Not yet rated by our experts

AirPods Pro 3 are generally comfortable, though my initial impressions favor the fit of the previous Gen 2. With that said, Apple claims to have improved the overall fit with improved ergonomics and new foam-infused ear tips.

I found Atom X more comfortable than Atom Pro 2, though other hearing aids will likely offer you a better fit and overall comfort.

AirPods Pro are unmistakably Apple with their sleek, bright white, aesthetic. You will want to look elsewhere if you are searching for a discrete hearing solution. Furthermore, earbuds are commonly associated with being distracted or disconnected and people will not know that you are using them as hearing aids to stay present and engaged in conversation.

The design of Atom X falls between a custom hearing aid and wireless earbud. They are only available in a medical beige color, which is meant to match skin color, but will not suit everyone.

Apple AirPods Pro 3 has a value score of 5.0/5 based on lab performance and public display price.

Audien Atom X has a value score of 3.9/5 based on lab performance and public display price.

I find Bluetooth pairing and general use exceptionally easy. However, navigating the deeper personalization features, and touch controls, could be more user friendly.

Atom X is the most user friendly hearing aid I have tried from Audien Hearing to date. The physical buttons are large and the bright touchscreen feature is a great addition.

You can receive technical support from Apple, but no audiologic support is offered at this time. You may be able to find a hearing care provider willing to assist with programming your AirPods Pro based on your needs.

Like many OTC products, Audien does not offer remote assistance from hearing experts, support is limited to email and phone customer support.