During its polished product announcement event on Tuesday, Apple revealed a new function for its latest AirPods Pro model: as a medical device. The company stated that these wireless headphones will also serve as clinical-grade, over-the-counter hearing aids for individuals who need them.
“We’re introducing this groundbreaking feature to assist more than 1 billion people with mild to moderate hearing loss,” said Sumbul Ahmad Desai, Apple’s vice president of health.
Apple explained that the hearing aid function will enhance frequencies “to make sounds clearer and more vibrant for your ears.” The feature will also utilize “machine learning to make real-time adjustments throughout your day.”
Prescription hearing aids can be quite costly, often reaching thousands of dollars. At $249, Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 offer a more affordable and accessible option for those with hearing loss, though they may not be suitable for everyone. Here’s what you need to know:
Nearly 30 million adults in the U.S. experience some level of hearing loss, but only about 20% of them seek help, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Using hearing aids can mitigate cognitive decline and may reduce the risk of depression for those with untreated hearing loss, as noted by the FDA. Despite this, the high cost of medical consultations and hearing aids has prevented some individuals from pursuing treatment.
Apple’s announcement comes two years after the FDA approved the sale of over-the-counter hearing aids. Since that time, adults with mild to moderate hearing loss have been able to purchase hearing aids directly from stores or online without needing a doctor’s prescription.
To access the new hearing aid feature, AirPods Pro 2 users must complete a test that evaluates their hearing by playing a series of tones.
“After you take a hearing test, your AirPods Pro will be transformed into a personalized hearing aid, enhancing specific sounds you need in real-time, such as parts of speech or environmental elements,” Desai said.
However, over-the-counter hearing aids may not be suitable for all cases of hearing loss. The FDA still requires that individuals under 18 obtain hearing aids through a prescription.
Additionally, over-the-counter hearing aids, including Apple’s, are not designed for “severe or profound” hearing loss. Those with significant hearing loss should consult a healthcare professional.
Apple anticipates receiving FDA clearance “very soon,” which would officially classify the AirPods Pro 2 as a regulated medical device. This fall, the hearing assistance features will be made available through a software update in over 100 countries, including the United States, Germany, and Japan.
This isn’t Apple’s first foray into healthcare. The Apple Watch can detect irregular heart rhythms associated with atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can lead to blood clots, stroke, and heart failure, according to the American Heart Association.
On Tuesday, Apple also announced that the new Apple Watch 10 can alert users to sleep apnea, a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.
Barbara Kelley, executive director of the Hearing Loss Association of America, expressed optimism about Apple’s announcement following the FDA’s opening of the over-the-counter hearing aid market two years ago.
“This is exactly what we wanted in the market—technological innovation that encourages people to pay attention to their hearing health,” Kelley said.
She hopes Apple’s new product will motivate more individuals to address hearing loss.
“There’s still a stigma attached to hearing loss and aging,” Kelley said. “But I see elementary school children with these AirPods in their ears. If it can also function as a hearing aid, that’s incredibly exciting.”
Apple’s announcement has been well-received by some hearing aid users on social media. However, many noted a notable advantage of traditional hearing aids over AirPods: battery life, which in traditional hearing aids lasts days rather than hours.
“As someone who is hearing impaired, this was the most exciting announcement from today’s event,” one Reddit user commented. “I hope they can improve battery life beyond the current 3-6 hours to 8 hours.”
