One of the best AirPods Pro features is finally coming to Galaxy Buds

While Samsung has spent year after year refining its audio products, some surprisingly useful features that have been available on rival models for nearly two years somehow remained missing from the Galaxy audio experience. Until now.

Samsung debuts Hearing Aid

Samsung finally adds an FDA-approved hearing health feature to its earbuds. | Images by Images by Samsung

On August 11, Samsung announced that its Hearing Aid feature has received FDA approval. Designed for users over 18 years old, the feature represents an easy way to address mild to moderate hearing loss without having to visit a clinic.

For optimal use of the feature, users should first test their hearing via the Galaxy Buds Hearing Test, which provides medical-grade results. The test takes a total of five minutes and relies on pure-tone audiometry to determine the specific hearing defects in each ear.

An example of what the audiogram looks like after the Hearing Test is completed. | Image by Samsung

Once completed, users get a medical-grade audiogram like the one shown above, categorizing their hearing as normal or one of four stages of hearing loss: mild, moderate, severe, or profound. Then, the Hearing Aid feature amplifies specific sounds to improve the user's hearing.

In addition, Galaxy phone owners get direct and easy access to their hearing-related information, including test results and noise exposure levels, directly within the Samsung Health app.

Hearing health is a vital component of our overall well-being, profoundly impacting how we communicate, connect with loved ones and engage with the world. With the latest clearance from the FDA, we are expanding access to hearing support and making proactive care effortless by integrating the Hearing Test and Hearing Aid functionality directly into the Galaxy Buds.

Hon Pak, Senior Vice President and Head of the Digital Health Team for the Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics, August 2026

Does Samsung's new earbuds feature truly impress you?

Samsung is playing catch-up

While Samsung's Galaxy Buds models are just now getting FDA authorization for the Hearing Aid feature, Apple has had it on its audio products for nearly two years. Indeed, the AirPods Pro 2 got the feature in September 2024 following FDA approval.

Is it just me, or is Samsung playing catch-up here?

Hearing health has steadily become an important part of what premium earbuds should deliver, giving users more than a convenient way to listen to their favorite music. While I think it's admirable that Samsung is finally giving fans a similar feature, I certainly wouldn't call it 'groundbreaking innovation.'

Which models get it?

It seems that not all Samsung earbuds will get the newly FDA-approved feature. As the South Korean tech giant puts it, the Hearing Aid feature will only be available on the latest Pro models.

That means the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro and the Buds 3 Pro will be the only Samsung wireless earbuds to get Hearing Aid. Another thing to note is that the feature won't be immediately available. So far, it's clear that users in the US and select approved markets will get it starting Q4 2026.

Not the thing I hoped for

The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro experience is about to get a lot better for some users. | Image by Samsung

Don't get me wrong: I'm more than happy that Samsung is giving users with hearing problems a feature that can truly help them. But considering how long the competition has offered similar functionality, I can't help but feel Samsung should have introduced it earlier.

Better late than never, of course. From now on, I'd rather see Samsung focus on something equally important: increasing the battery life of its premium audio products.

And in case you're after more Samsung news:

Explore our full review of the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
Don't forget to dive deeper into the differences between the two options in our Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs Galaxy Buds 3 Pro review

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