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Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs. Oticon Zeal

Check out our comparison of the Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Oticon Zeal. Listen to audio samples and see how the two hearing aids differ in terms of sound performance, features, accessories, and more.

Score
4.1
Apple AirPods Pro 3
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Apple

AirPods Pro 3

SoundScore 3.4/5
$239.95 per pair
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Score
4.3
Oticon Zeal 1
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Oticon

Zeal 1

SoundScore 4.3/5
$4,598 per pair
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AirPods Pro 3
$239.95 per pair
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Zeal
$4,598 per pair
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Product Overview

AirPods Pro 3
Zeal
Form Factor
Form FactorNon-custom earbud style device.
Form FactorNon-custom device that typically sits completely inside the ear canal. Some of the device may be visible to the naked eye.
Expert Rating
Score
4.1
Score
4.3
User Rating
—
3.71 reviews
Hearing Loss LevelHearing Loss LevelThis represents HearingTracker's best guess on suitability. Please consult a licensed audiologist to confirm your own candidacy for this device.
MildModerate
MildModerateSevere
Product Features
Hands-freeRechargeableiPhoneAndroidIP57
Hands-freeRechargeableiPhoneAndroidIP68

Expert Ratings

Compare comprehensive test results and expert opinions.

AirPods Pro 3
Zeal

HearingTracker Score

AirPods Pro 3
4.1ABOVE AVERAGE

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.

Read full review
Zeal
4.3ABOVE AVERAGE

Oticon Zeal is an instant-fit, nearly invisible, rechargeable prescription hearing aid with AI-driven processing and modern Bluetooth LE Audio connectivity for Android and Apple iOS.

Read full review

HearAdvisor SoundScore

AirPods Pro 3
3.4AVERAGE

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.

Zeal
4.3ABOVE AVERAGE

Oticon Zeal achieved a SoundScore of 4.26/5 in HearAdvisor lab testing. The Prescription Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 3.91/5.

Build Quality

AirPods Pro 3
4.8EXCELLENT

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.

Zeal
5.0EXCELLENT

Zeal offer excellent moisture and dust protection with an ingress rating of IP68. Both the hearing aids and case are well build and ready for daily use.

Battery

AirPods Pro 3
4.6EXCELLENT

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.

Zeal
4.2ABOVE AVERAGE

With a battery life of up to 20 hours, Zeal should last you all day.

Bluetooth

AirPods Pro 3
5.0EXCELLENT

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.

Zeal
5.0EXCELLENT

I found Zeal to offer easy and stable wireless connection. Their audio quality while streaming music, and during hands-free calling, was good and comparable to other prescription hearing aids.

App Features

AirPods Pro 3
4.0AVERAGE

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.

Zeal
5.0EXCELLENT

I found the Companion app easy to navigate and use. Other prescription hearing aid companies offer more in-depth health features, but there is still plenty of opportunity to customize settings from your mobile device. The HearingFitness component is also a nice feature for those who like to actively track their progress.

Comfort

AirPods Pro 3
4.0AVERAGE

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.

Zeal
4.8EXCELLENT

Oticon Zeal were extremely comfortable and lightweight in my ears. In general, hearing care providers can make numerous physical changes to prescription hearing aids like Zeal to improve comfort.

Design

AirPods Pro 3
5.0EXCELLENT

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.

Zeal
5.0EXCELLENT

Zeal are sleek, easy to use, in-the-ear prescription hearing aids. They are nearly invisible in the ear which is extremely impressive given their battery life and wireless capabilities.

Value

AirPods Pro 3
5.0EXCELLENT

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

Zeal
3.2BELOW AVERAGE

Oticon Zeal has a value score of 3.2/5 based on lab performance and public display price.

Handling

AirPods Pro 3
4.0AVERAGE

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

Zeal
5.0EXCELLENT

Zeal are easy to use and adjust with the Oticon Companion app. I had no issues making adjustments while testing them.

Pro Support

AirPods Pro 3
1.0BELOW AVERAGE

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.

Zeal
5.0EXCELLENT

Prescription hearing aids like Zeal are fit by hearing care providers so you should receive quality care. The Oticon Companion app also opens the possibility for remote programming and virtual follow-up appointments.

Lab Recordings

Listen to direct output recordings from our acoustic test lab.

AirPods Pro 3
Zeal
Busy CafeBusy CafeSpeech intelligibility improvement in loud environments
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
AirPods Pro 3
Zeal
Quiet OfficeQuiet OfficeSpeech intelligibility improvement in quiet and moderate environments
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
AirPods Pro 3
Zeal
Streaming MusicStreaming MusicStreaming music provides a full range of bass and treble
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
AirPods Pro 3
Zeal

HearingTracker partners with HearAdvisor to provide recordings and performance data from an acoustic laboratory that follows standard scientific procedures. All hearing aids are fitted and performance-tested for mild sloping to moderate hearing loss. All audio samples cutoff above 10kHz.

Hardware

AirPods Pro 3
Zeal
AccelerometerAccelerometerThis hearing aid is capable of measuring acceleration through an embedded sensor.
Yes
No
Bluetooth® AudioBluetooth® AudioThis hearing aid is capable of streaming Bluetooth® audio certain phones and/or devices.
  • Bluetooth® (A2DP)
  • LC3
  • Made for iPhone (MFi)
  • Android (ASHA)
  • Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
  • Bluetooth® Auracast™
GyroscopeGyroscopeThis hearing aid is able to determine orientation using embedded sensors.
Yes
No
Hands-Free CallingHands-Free CallingIt is possible to have a hands-free phone call with this hearing aid. You are not required to hold the phone up to your mouth.
  • Bluetooth® (HFP)
  • Made for iPhone (MFi)
  • Android (ASHA)
IP RatingIP RatingIP Ratings rate sealing effectiveness of hearing aids against intrusion from foreign solid matter (dirt, dust) and moisture.
IP57
IP68
Rechargeable BatteriesRechargeable BatteriesCharge your batteries overnight in a docking station and get a full day's use (in most cases) of battery life the following day.
Lithium-ion
Lithium-ion
Tap ControlsTap ControlsThe hearing aid may be controlled by physically tapping it with your fingers.
  • Play/Pause
  • Audio passthrough on/off
  • Accept/end calls
  • Volume Control
  • Change program
  • Accept/end calls
  • Tinnitus program
Voice AssistantVoice AssistantCertain devices will allow you to interact with voice assistants using "Hey Siri", "Hey Google", "Hey Alexa", etc commands.
  • Siri
No

Software Features

AirPods Pro 3
Zeal
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)ANC is different than typical hearing aid noise reduction in that it reduces both steady state and dynamic background noise using sound wave inversion.
Yes
No
Active occlusion cancellation (AOC)Active occlusion cancellation (AOC)A microphone measures the sound of your own voice inside your ear canal and cancels the sound using phase inversion. This reduces the boominess that often occurs with closed-canal hearing aids.
Yes
No
Adjustment BandsAdjustment BandsThese are frequency-divided sections that can be adjusted in a hearing aid in order to amplify sounds. Although there are rarely more than 10 frequencies measured in a hearing assessment, having more bands that can be adjusted may allow for improved speech understanding and user comfort.
No
24
AI Noise RemovalAI Noise RemovalArtificial Intelligence is utilized to remove or modify background noise from the sound signal to help isolate speech for better speech understanding.
No
Neural Noise Suppression: 12 dB / 6 dBNeural Noise SuppressionThe Deep Neural Network is part of MoreSound Intelligence™, which gives precise analysis and balancing of the full sound scene.
Better Ear FocusBetter Ear FocusSome modern hearing aids can share sound from one ear to the other. In some cases the sound from the less noisy side can be shared to the other ear, enabling the listener to hear a cleaner sound in both ears.
No
Better-Ear PriorityBetter-Ear PrioritySome modern hearing aids can share sound from one ear to the other. In some cases the sound from the less noisy side can be shared to the other ear, enabling the listener to hear a cleaner sound in both ears.
DirectionalityDirectionalityDepending on the types and number of microphones a hearing aid has, the hearing aid may be able to boost sounds from specific directions (by reducing sounds from other directions). This can be helpful to focus on a speaker directly in front of the hearing aid user, as well as to give the user information about where different sounds are coming from.
Conversation BoostConversation BoostUses the dual beam-forming microphones to boost the volume of a person talking in front of you, making it easier to listen to someone who's chatting with you.
No
Ear SimulationEar SimulationThe outer ear, or pinna, can have a significant effect on the frequency shape of sound arriving at your inner ear. Some hearing aids mimic the "pinna effect" when producing sound, to deliver more natural sound to the listener.
No
Virtual Outer Ear: 3 configurationsVirtual Outer EarThree realistic models of the ear pinna to provide better spatial balance.
Extended bandwidthExtended bandwidthHearing aid provides amplification at frequencies (pitches) higher than the typical hearing aid.
No
Yes
Extended Dynamic RangeExtended Dynamic RangeExtended dynamic range typically makes louder sound clearer. This may help with the reproduction of loud music or loud speech in a very noisy environment.
No
Clear DynamicsClear DynamicsClear Dynamics expands the input dynamic range, processing input sounds up to 113 dB SPL, to provide better sound quality without distortion and artifact at loud input levels, while still keeping the sound quality of soft input levels intact. Clear Dynamics has an operating range from 5 to 113 dB SPL. With speech cues preserved at high input levels, users enjoy a better listening experience without distortion even in loud environments. Clear Dynamics is especially valuable for users when listening to music or in conversations in busy, dynamic environments, where peaks can often be louder than the available input dynamic range.
Feedback SuppressionFeedback SuppressionIf any sound amplified by the hearing aid escapes the ear canal, it may reach the hearing aid’s own microphone and cause a harsh whistling noise. Some hearing aids are able to recognize when this feedback occurs and reduce or eliminate it.
No
Feedback ShieldFeedback ShieldEmploys an ultra-fast and effective feedback management system that prevents feedback without compromising sound quality or audibility.MoreSound Optimizer™MoreSound Optimizer™MoreSound Optimizer (MSO) and Feedback shield work together to counteract acoustic feedback from the receiver to the microphone to prevent audible feedback and gain reductions.
Frequency LoweringFrequency LoweringUnderstanding certain speech sounds is dependent on the high frequency parts of these sounds. For individuals with high frequency hearing loss, this feature can take high frequency speech information and move it to lower frequencies where it will be audible.
No
Speech Rescue™Speech Rescue™Makes high frequency sounds more audible
Handling noise reductionHandling noise reductionReduces noises related to hearing aid movement on the ear and noises related to hands or objects touching the hearing aid while worn.
No
Wind & Handling StabilizerWind & Handling StabilizerWind & Handling Stabilizer detects and filters wind and handling noises 500 times per second. It selects the microphone with the cleanest sound input, preventing disruptive sound from entering the system. It then attenuates remaining wind and handling noises from the other microphone efficiently and only in the frequencies affected by the noise. This provides a cleaner sound for further processing in MSI 3.0, helping hearing aid users go about their day in comfort.
Listening ProgramsListening ProgramsNumber of manually accessible listening programs (using push button, remote, app, or other switching method)
No
4
New User AdaptationNew User AdaptationProvider may set the hearing aid to gradually get louder over the first few weeks or months of a new hearing aid fitting. This can be convenient for new users who want to experience maximum benefit without making a lot of trips to the provider for tune ups.
No
Adaptation ManagementAdaptation ManagementAdapts in 3 steps for gradual user acclimatization to a new hearing aid
Processing ChannelsProcessing ChannelsThese are all the frequency-divided sections the hearing aid is able to examine at a single time. The hearing aid uses this information to determine whether the contents of each section are noise, speech, or something else and amplify the sound in each section accordingly.
No
64
Resonance NormalizationResonance NormalizationMicrophones measure sound in the ear canal in order to adjust cancel the effects of individual resonance.
Adaptive EQAdaptive EQInward-facing microphones detect what you’re hearing, then adjust low and midrange frequencies to deliver the rich details in every song, customized for you in real time.
No
Self-fittingSelf-fittingThis hearing aid allows you to fit yourself without professional assistance. Typically found in OTC products.
  • Tuned based on hearing test through device
  • Tuned based on audio preference selections
  • Tuned by user directly
No
Soft Speech BoostSoft Speech BoostMore aggressive amplification for softer speech sounds
No
Soft Speech BoosterSoft Speech BoosterImproves soft speech understanding without turning up the volume.
Spatial AudioSpatial AudioHead tracking is performed so that audio appears to originate from a static location as your head moves.
Yes
No
Spatial AwarenessSpatial AwarenessListening to sound through hearing aids is not a natural experience, and your ability to tell where a sound is coming from may be impacted by the way sounds are amplified with hearing aids. Some hearing aids attempt to fix this problem by preserving cues to sound localization like between-ear level differences, etc.
No
Spatial Sound™: 4 estimatorsSpatial Sound™Improves ability to locate the most interesting sounds.
Spatial Noise CancellationSpatial Noise CancellationThis feature recognizes where sounds are coming from and can reduce noise coming from behind or to the side of the listener. This helps the listener focus on the speaker, usually in front of them.
No
Spatial Balancer: 100%Spatial BalancerSpatial Balancer increases the SNR by suppressing individual noise sources, placing them in the background and thereby creating a balanced sound scene.
Streaming Bass BoostStreaming Bass BoostBoosts bass when streaming audio
No
Power bassPower bassBoosts bass when streaming.
Sudden Loud Noise ReductionSudden Loud Noise ReductionThis feature detects loud sounds and reduces their volume to a comfortable level. Though not a replacement for hearing protection, this technology can greatly improve listener comfort.
No
SuddenSound Stabilizer: 6 ConfigurationsSuddenSound StabilizerSuddenSound Stabilizer monitors the sound environment and instantly adapts amplification to keep both soft and loud sudden sounds available, balanced, and comfortable.
Tinnitus ReliefTinnitus ReliefTinnitus, or ringing in the ears, can be addressed by hearing aids in several different ways, such as introducing a soft therapeutic signal or targeted notched noise.
No
Tinnitus SoundSupport™Tinnitus SoundSupport™Select from a wide range of customizable tinnitus relief sounds that are dynamic, yet soothing — including broadband sounds (white, pink and red noise) and natural, ocean-like sounds.
Unique Amplification StrategyUnique Amplification StrategyHearing aids all process sounds a little bit differently. Sometimes it varies even within one model.
Adaptive TransparencyAdaptive TransparencyProvides personalized amplification for everyday sounds, with improved handling for loud sounds like sirens and construction noise.Headphone AccommodationsHeadphone AccommodationsApple's terminology for personalized amplification. Options include audio preference selection, manual EQ, or audiogram input.
Environment classifierEnvironment classifierAllows clinician to determine where you need hearing help in your daily life.MoreSound Amplifier 3.0MoreSound Amplifier 3.0Sound processing occurs in an adaptive path setup that gives priority to resolution or speed, based on the current sound scene. Including SuddenSound Stabilizer that provides instant and balanced amplification of both soft and loud sudden sounds.MoreSound Intelligence 3.0MoreSound Intelligence 3.0Prevents wind and handling noise from entering the processing in the hearing aid for more comfort and better access to speech. Uses 4D Sensor technology to create a clearer and more distinct contrast between sounds, precisely organizing the spatial sound scene, and intelligently suppressing unwanted noise through the second-generation Deep Neural Network 2.0.Sound EnhancerSound EnhancerDynamic gain primarily for speech, given in complex environments.
Wind Noise ReductionWind Noise ReductionAs wind blows against the microphones of hearing aids, unpleasant noise may be generated. Some hearing aids have the ability to recognize this wind noise and reduce its level. Such reductions may also affect the audibility of desired sounds, like speech.
No
Wind & Handling StabilizerWind & Handling StabilizerWind & Handling Stabilizer detects and filters wind and handling noises 500 times per second. It selects the microphone with the cleanest sound input, preventing disruptive sound from entering the system. It then attenuates remaining wind and handling noises from the other microphone efficiently and only in the frequencies affected by the noise. This provides a cleaner sound for further processing in MSI 3.0, helping hearing aid users go about their day in comfort.