Hearables, often called smart earbuds, are wireless in-ear devices that amplify sound and provide other capabilities. Hearables often combine hearing aid technology with biometric technology to do more than just transmit audio.

Hearables, while not yet a defined category, are more than just wireless earbuds. Unlike traditional earbuds, hearables have dedicated processors and internal storage, allowing them to operate without connecting to a phone, computer, or other smart device. They offer additional features like sound amplification, feedback cancellation, and directional microphones, making hearables a popular alternative to hearing aids.

That said, some earbuds have sound amplification features, but they don’t quite meet the definition of a hearable. One example is Apple’s AirPods. While AirPods can help your ability to hear, they lack independent data storage and biometric features.

Hearables use a built-in microphone to pick up sound. A sound processor then digitizes the audio signal, amplifies it, and sends it through the speakers directly to your ear. They can connect wirelessly to other devices via Bluetooth, allowing them to function as traditional earbuds as well. Hearables can be equipped with biometric sensors, which are also useful for health and fitness monitoring.