On September 11, 2024, Apple revealed a new use for its newest model of Apple AirPods Pro 2: Airpods that can used as a medical device, during its “It’s Glowtime” product launch gala event. The company claims that people who need them can also use the wireless earbuds as clinical-grade, over-the-counter hearing aids.
The cost of prescription hearing aids can reach several thousand dollars. Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 costs $249, making them quite affordable and accessible for people with hearing loss.
Who Can Use an Apple AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Aid?
The feature is limited only to those above 18 years of age. More precisely speaking, hearing aids are for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
The research study that was released in November 2023 has revealed that approximately 60.7 million Americans aged 12 years and older have some level of hearing loss. About 44.1 million American adults aged 20 and older have some hearing loss or about 15.5% of the population. So with this feature, Apple will help many of these people.
But remember that you can’t use these devices as a substitute for hearing aids. Apple has got the FDA approval to use these as “hearing aids” for professionals. Additionally, AirPods Pro 2 will support the headphone feature starting this fall. According to the company, consumers in more than 100 countries and territories will have access to the service.
How will this Hearing Aid feature work in Apple Airpods Pro 2?
The over-the-counter feature, which will enable offering hearing aids to consumers with mild to moderate hearing loss, is a feature on the AirPods Pro 2. However, you first need to take Apple’s Hearing exam, and that requires the AirPods Pro 2 and a compatible iPhone or iPad. It’s a clinical-grade, pure-tone audiometry-based hearing exam that takes approximately 5 minutes to do.
When the hearing test begins, active noise cancellation (ANC) will be activated, and you will tap your iPhone screen when you hear tones on both the left and right sides. Apple used 150,000 real-world audiograms and millions of simulations to make a fast, efficient examination. Most importantly, the company claims to have built one that is right.
After the test, you get instant results on your phone, that is, the level of hearing loss (if at all) in each ear. If you have minor hearing loss but might benefit from assistance in specific frequencies, the program will suggest some changes to the Media Assist settings for entertainment audio and calls. If you have mild to severe hearing loss, Hearing Test may recommend using the AirPods Pro Hearing Aid feature to better your daily life.
What is Apple Hearing Protection in Apple Airpods Pro 2?
In other developments about hearing health, Apple has made hearing protection a default feature for all listening modes on the AirPods Pro 2. With the help of this function, the ear tips will be able to reduce noise passively, while the H2 chip actively at 48,000 times per second suppresses louder, more irregular sounds.
To present an even more realistic and clear sound than concerts and other live events, AirPods Pro 2 came up with a multi-band high dynamic range algorithm.
This fall 2024. Free with AirPods Pro 2 or a new OS system-compatible iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Not available in US and Canada.
Conclusion
In the context of Apple’s future, its new hearing aid feature for AirPods Pro 2 features accessibility. The right approach: Apple has enabled millions of people to have an affordable, over-the-counter solution for mild to moderate loss, where they can improve their health without the pretty penny price tag of traditional hearing aids. This has truly been a revolutionary step in personal health, especially as this couple carries clinical-grade hearing testing ability and advanced audio technology with the AirPods Pro 2. Currently got FDA approval for professional use, this feature is one massive leap forward in making hearing assistance more accessible and convenient for users worldwide.
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