Samsung Galaxy Buds to gain FDA-cleared hearing aid feature; new over-ear headphones in development

FDA-Cleared Hearing Aid for Galaxy Buds

Samsung announced that its Galaxy Buds 3 Pro and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro will receive an FDA-cleared hearing aid feature and a hearing test tool. This functionality is scheduled for release later this year in the US and other approved markets. The hearing aid feature is designed to serve as an over-the-counter solution for individuals aged 18 and over who experience mild to moderate hearing loss.

Hearing Test and Personalization

The accompanying hearing test is described as providing medical-grade results within five minutes. Users can initiate the test from the Galaxy Buds settings on a compatible Galaxy phone. For each ear, the test will determine if hearing is normal or categorize it into one of four stages: mild, moderate, severe, or profound. Based on these results, which are accessible in the Samsung Health app, the hearing aid feature will amplify sounds that the wearer has difficulty hearing, such as high frequencies, whispers, and distant voices. It also includes features like noise elimination and beamforming to focus on sounds in front of the user and suppress background noise.

New Over-Ear Headphones in Development

Separately, Samsung is reportedly working on a new pair of over-ear headphones, internally referred to as "Galaxy H1." Evidence of these headphones was found within a Samsung application. This development suggests Samsung's potential re-entry into the over-ear headphone market, complementing its existing Galaxy Buds lineup.

Potential Launch and Competition

While specific details are limited, connection status icons in the app indicate an over-ear, wireless Bluetooth design. Some reports suggest a potential launch as early as 2027. If released, these headphones could compete with high-end models such as Apple's AirPods Max and Sony's XM series, marking Samsung's first over-ear headphones since the Level On in 2015.