Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 could forever change how people access hearing aids

Apple is adding a "clinical grade" hearing aid function to its second-generation AirPods, enabling both current and prospective users to receive assistance for hearing loss.

Among dazzling images of a chic new Apple Watch and a vibrant assortment of iPhones, Apple made a significant statement regarding a product that has been around for two years: the AirPods Pro 2. Anyone will soon be able to use the earbuds' hearing aid feature, which will offer a more affordable option than traditional hearing aids and a comprehensive solution that may alter how individuals receive care for hearing loss.

 

In 2022, the Food and Drug Administration approved over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, allowing consumers to have access to less expensive options without a doctor's prescription. This fall, Apple's new "clinical-grade" over-the-counter hearing aid feature will become available as a free software update, assuming the FDA gives its permission. Although some individuals with hearing loss have already utilized the AirPods Pro to augment sound, this upgrade will also have a few more perks and be approved by the FDA.

People will be able to take Apple's five-minute hearing test at home before scheduling an appointment with a doctor to receive hearing aids. Additionally, users will be able to customize their hearing profiles, which will enable the AirPods Pro 2 to adjust the loudness of sounds—like speech or ambient noises—to suit their individual hearing needs. Whether a user is playing a game, making a phone call, or listening to music on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, the earbuds will also automatically adapt the audio.

customers can retake the hearing test at any time to keep an eye on their hearing, and Apple will provide customers with access to their test results through the Health app. According to the manufacturer, those with "mild to moderate" hearing loss benefit most from this feature of the aids.

 

 

With the current wide availability of AirPods, many individuals who currently own the second-generation Pro Buds will now have immediate access to Apple's hearing aid offering. Now, rather than just turning up the TV level if someone thinks they might have a hearing problem, they might potentially obtain the assistance they require by plugging in their existing AirPods Pro and using certain functions. Current over-the-counter providers of hearing aids just cannot match that.

The second-generation AirPods Pro were previously regarded as personal sound amplification devices (PSAPs), which are not a substitute for complete hearing aids. Although they did not have FDA authorization or any form of official hearing testing, they did have accessibility features like Conversation Boost and Live Listen, which can boost volume and improve voice quality during a conversation. With the addition of a hearing protection feature to block out loud noises, the buds will now provide a comprehensive solution that should improve hearing. The founder and CEO of the hearing healthcare consulting company Auditory Insight, Nancy M. Williams, tells The Verge that as hearing loss progresses, "you understand that you want to protect the hearing that you have got." "Assisting those who have hearing loss is crucial, but protecting oneself is almost as important."

A transparency mode that allows ambient sound from the surroundings and conversation awareness—which recognizes when someone is speaking and automatically amplifies their voice while reducing media volume—are just two of the many additional benefits of the AirPods Pro 2. This kind of fully featured OTC hearing aid is currently unmatched in the market. According to Williams, "This is a tidal wave in hearing healthcare that just reached the coast."

 

 

 

In addition, a lot of people wear AirPods constantly, so individuals who suffer hearing loss might find them more comfortable to wear than other options. While other companies have introduced over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, such as Sony, Jabra, Sennheiser, and even HP, none are as well-known as the AirPods Pro 2. Williams states, "We think a sizable portion of persons with untreated hearing loss are holding back because of stigma." "How much your AirPods Pro 2 are helping with hearing is a mystery to us. There is an unseen level of support being provided, and I believe that this is beneficial for those who experience stigma.
In addition to lessening stigma, the AirPods Pro 2 ought to dismantle barriers related to cost. The market will be utterly upended by the pricing difference alone, according to a Threads post by Moor Insights & Strategy analyst Anshel Sag. At $249, Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 are significantly less expensive than the majority of over-the-counter hearing aids, such as Sony's $1,099, or Jabra's $995 Enhance Select 50R, for example. The main disclaimer is that this new functionality will not function on iPhones running iOS 18 or later. The total cost of Apple’s hearing aid setup may be more than other over-the-counter choices, depending on the type of iPhone that the consumer wishes to acquire or currently owns. Even yet, any of these alternatives are still less expensive than the $2,300 average cost of a prescription hearing aid.

The lack of the extended battery life that users of more costly over-the-counter or prescription alternatives may experience is a significant disadvantage of the AirPods Pro 2. While Sony's CRE-E10 allows for up to 26 hours of continuous use, the AirPods Pro 2 only allows for up to six hours of listening time on a single charge.