Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs Audien Hearing Atom

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 is a budget-priced OTC hearing aid that earns an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.1/5 in our lab testing, placing it in the top 26% of OTC hearing aids tested. At $249, it represents one of the more affordable options in the category while delivering strong overall performance. In our testing, the AirPods Pro 2 shows particular strength in speech clarity for quiet environments, scoring 4.2/5—a strong result that sits 1.38 points above the category average. Music streaming is where this device truly excels, earning 4.4/5 and outperforming the category average by a substantial 2.48 points. Feedback handling is excellent at 5.0/5, meaning users should experience virtually no whistling issues. The device does have limitations. Own-voice comfort scores 1.9/5, which is low in absolute terms and 0.61 points below the category average—users may notice their own voice sounds different or boomy. Speech in noise performance is above average for the category at 2.3/5 (+0.77 points), but this remains a mixed result in absolute terms, suggesting challenging listening environments will still be difficult. The AirPods Pro 2 is best suited for consumers already in the Apple ecosystem who want hearing support primarily in quieter settings and value excellent music and media streaming. Those frequently in noisy environments or sensitive to own-voice changes may want to consider alternatives.

The Audien Hearing Atom is a budget-priced OTC hearing aid that earns a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.3/5 in HearAdvisor's lab testing. At $89, it's positioned as an entry-level option in the visible-in-ear category, ranking #52 of 65 OTC hearing aids tested. In our testing, the Atom demonstrates mixed results across key performance areas. Its standout strength is excellent feedback handling, scoring a perfect 5.0/5—0.46 points above the category average. This means users can expect stable performance without whistling or squealing during typical wear. However, speech clarity metrics fall below category averages: speech in quiet scores 2.6/5 (0.15 points below average) and speech in noise scores a low 1.0/5 (0.48 points below average), which may limit effectiveness in challenging listening environments. The Atom does not support music streaming, scoring 0.0/5 in this category—1.92 points below the OTC average. Own-voice comfort is mixed at 2.1/5, sitting 0.41 points below the category average. These limitations are notable when compared to similarly-priced alternatives like the Elehear Beyond (4.36/5) or Apple AirPods Pro 2 (4.06/5), which offer substantially stronger overall performance. This device may suit budget-conscious consumers who prioritize basic amplification and feedback-free wear over speech clarity in noise or streaming capabilities. Those seeking stronger speech performance or music features should consider higher-scoring alternatives in this price range.