Samsung Buds Hearing Features Approved in South Korea

Samsung says South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has approved Hearing Test and Hearing Aid software for its Galaxy Buds4 Pro and Galaxy Buds3 Pro, with the features scheduled to begin rolling out in South Korea in early 2027. The approval covers both features as medical-device software. Samsung plans to deliver them to the two earbud models through software updates. The company has not confirmed when, or whether, the features will become available in other markets. Hearing Test uses pure-tone audiometry to assess hearing in each ear and produce an audiogram, which maps a user’s hearing sensitivity across frequencies. Samsung says the test results are grouped into seven levels, from normal hearing to profound hearing loss, and include guidance on possible next steps. The Hearing Aid feature uses the audiogram to personalize sound amplification, focusing on frequencies a user has difficulty hearing rather than raising all audio equally. The system uses the NAL-NL2 formula developed by Australia’s National Acoustic Laboratories to calculate amplification levels. Samsung says the features are intended for adults aged 18 and older who perceive that they have mild to...