You Have My Full Attention...Really

The case easily fits in the palm of your hand

I received a pair of AirPods Pro 2 for Father's Day. They emit good-to-great sound, have noise cancellation features, and function well as an accessory for hands-free telephone calls. But their greatest utility to me is as backup hearing aids. The AirPods amplify all sounds and serve adequately for those who, like me. have moderate hearing loss. Were it not for social offensiveness, I would feel comfortable wearing them all the time.

Hi. Excuse me. Hey. Do I have your attention?

I can’t tell because your AirPods are in.

Human communication was awkward enough before AirPods and their non-Apple brethren became so ubiquitous, but at least some pockets of life seemed off-limits. Not anymore...

Joseph Montes, a 55-year-old information-security manager who lives near Boca Raton, Fla., keeps his AirPods in all day. “They’re always off, but if someone calls, I can answer,” he said.

The devices are such a constant that when he visited the doctor recently, Montes didn’t understand why the nurse was giving him “dagger eyes.” He finally got the hint when the doctor came in. Montes sheepishly pulled one AirPod out of his ear. “I’m a man, I’m stupid,” he said.

IMHO, there are easy solutions for users to defuse disapproval. For example, a blinking LED could signal that the AirPods wearer is listening to a signal from his iPhone, and if the light is off he can give you his full attention. Or he could wear his hair long to cover the offending ear buds.

Finally, retirees like myself can accentuate our age. People give us a lot more leeway because elders are not expected to observe niceties; younger folk are just grateful that we appear to understand what they are saying and can carry on a conversation. To my fellow boomers, just practice giving others a blank look and wear those AirPods proudly.