Samsung’s premium Galaxy Buds are getting a new purpose beyond music and calls: helping people with hearing loss. Two existing models will gain medically approved hearing-assistance software in South Korea without requiring a hardware upgrade.
Samsung announced November 4 that South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) approved Hearing Test and Hearing Aid functions for the Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Buds4 Pro. The features will arrive through a phased software rollout beginning in early 2027, giving eligible users access to personalized hearing assistance through earbuds they already own.
The approval follows an earlier US regulatory clearance, but availability remains country-specific. Samsung has yet to announce when the features might reach other Asia-Pacific markets.
How Samsung’s hearing test and hearing aid work
Samsung’s newly approved hearing features allow users to assess their hearing and adjust sound amplification based on the results. Hearing Test is registered as digital medical-device software in South Korea and can be accessed through the Galaxy Buds menu in a compatible smartphone’s settings.
The test uses pure-tone air-conduction audiometry to measure hearing in each ear. It generates an audiogram and classifies results into seven categories, from normal hearing to profound hearing loss, with guidance on possible next steps.
Hearing Aid uses the results to amplify sounds at frequencies users have difficulty hearing. Intended for adults aged 18 and older with perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss, it allows personalized amplification without professional fitting.
The software uses NAL-NL2, a hearing-aid fitting formula developed by Australia’s National Acoustic Laboratories. Samsung also includes background-noise reduction and directional sound processing to help users focus on sounds in front of them.
Hearing-test results and noise-exposure information can be viewed through Samsung Health, which also supports health tracking on devices such as the Galaxy Watch9. Samsung cautions that Hearing Aid does not replace professional diagnosis or treatment.
When will the update reach South Korea and other markets?
Samsung plans to begin distributing the features to compatible Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Buds4 Pro units in South Korea in early 2027. An exact release date and firmware version have not been announced.
The Korean approval follows US Food and Drug Administration clearance obtained in July 2026 and announced publicly on August 11. Samsung targeted the fourth quarter of 2026 for availability in the United States and selected approved markets, separate from South Korea’s 2027 schedule.
Samsung’s US documentation states that full functionality requires a compatible Galaxy device running One UI 9 or later. The company’s One UI 9 rollout varies by model and market, while broader Android software support depends on manufacturer update policies. Samsung has not confirmed whether the same phone requirements will apply in South Korea.
The approval brings Samsung into closer competition with Apple’s AirPods, which offer hearing-assistance features in supported markets. As The Korea Herald reported, the Korean approval extends medically regulated hearing functionality to Samsung’s existing premium earbuds.
Samsung has not announced availability dates for the Philippines or other Southeast Asian markets. The regular Galaxy Buds3 and Buds4 are also absent from the confirmed supported-model list, leaving owners outside South Korea waiting for further regional approval and rollout details.
Also read: Samsung is expanding its earbud lineup beyond conventional in-ear designs, with the Galaxy Buds On introducing an open-ear alternative for users who prefer to hear their surroundings while listening to audio.