[wiether]

Keep in mind that some AirPods are now certified hearing aids.

So before calling someone rude for talking to you with their AirPods on, make sure they don't need them on to hear you in the first place.

I myself always put at least one down when talking to someone, but I've learned to make the distinction between someone that is actually involved in the discussion, and someone that's still listening to what's coming from their connected device.

[mrinterweb]

I don't call people rude for doing it. Maybe I should. I consider it rude. Maybe I should inquire if the earbuds are for hearing assistance then mention they are rude if they say no. Not really my style, but at least it would be direct. I don't know what percentage of earbud users depend on the earbuds for hearing assistance, but I would wager it is a small percent of the total of people who use earbuds. I doubt that I'm the only person who considers people who leave their earbuds while talking rude.

[wiether]

There's at least one person in this situation in the comments: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48599384

I suspect the numbers will grow given how much cheaper they are compared to the standard medical devices.

My point was: I understand where you're coming from, I used to feel the same, but a shift is in the making, and you could consider someone's attitude rude when they are actually impaired.

So starting from: "this person is wearing AirPods as hearing aids" to realize that they're just being rude, is probably better than starting from "they're being rude for wearing AirPods" only to realize you've made a mistake.

[murphyslaw]

I never take public transport because the noises drive me crazy. Earbuds help, but not enough to make it bearable.