When a user connects an AirPods Pro 2 device, Apple will pop up a new window that says: “AirPods Pro can help address hearing loss. Your AirPods Pro can be used as a clinical-grade hearing aid.”
That’s right. The company announced at its keynote “Glowtime” event that AirPods Pro are now considered an “over-the-counter” option for those who need an external device to treat hearing loss. “This first-of-its-kind, software-based hearing aid feature enables users to fine-tune their experience over time,” Apple explained, “making hearing assistance more accessible than ever before at an affordable price.”
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This time, Apple kept major changes to the AirPods series to a minimum, instead choosing to increase investment in a range of in-ear device features aimed at creating a “hearing health” ecosystem. In addition to the new automatic loud volume reduction feature, Apple’s new hearing aid mode is also equipped with a “scientifically validated” hearing test module that provides users with a home assessment option based on so-called “pure tone audiometry.” The results of this test can then be used to further customize the audio settings in normal listening mode, as well as the audio settings when the AirPods are placed in hearing aid mode. Users can also upload their own audiograms to create custom hearing aid profiles.
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The release of the official hearing aid version builds on a series of audio-enhancing updates to AirPods over the past few years, including Live Listen and Conversation Enhancement options.
The tweet may have been deleted
The tweet may have been deleted
The tweet may have been deleted
“Hearing health is an important part of our overall wellness, yet it’s often overlooked — in fact, 75% of people diagnosed with hearing loss don’t receive treatment, according to the Apple Hearing Study,” wrote Sumbul Desai, Apple’s vice president of Health. Wearable devices that reduce or enhance noise are becoming increasingly popular among users in public places, including over-ear Bluetooth headphones and in-ear earbuds designed to help people with sensory processing disorders.
For some, Apple’s introduction of a “free” hearing aid add-on signals greater normalization — even democratization — of hearing aids, which are often a pricey assistive device for people who are deaf or have partial hearing loss.
The feature, like the company’s other new health features, is still awaiting FDA approval but is expected to debut on AirPods Pro 2 in an upcoming software update. Apple added a slew of new accessibility features in May, including eye tracking and motion haptics for the blind.
