Apple’s plan to turn AirPods Pro wireless earbuds intoan all-around hearing health toolcan now move forward thanks toofficial authorization from the FDA.
One of the most important announcements from Apple’s iPhone 16 launch event had nothing to do with AI or phones and was instead focused on a software update Apple plans to bring to the2nd-generation AirPods Pro. Via an update coming this fall, Apple hopes to use the popular wireless earbuds to not only protect your ears from loud, potentially damaging noise, but also, after a built-in hearing test, act as an over-the-counter hearing aid.
Now, thanks to the FDA’s authorization, Apple can move forward with the update and specifically, marketing the AirPods Pro’s new hearing aid feature to existing and future owners.
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The FDA describes Apple’s new hearing health features as “the first over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid software device,” and for anyone who didn’t watch the company’s presentation, Apple’s approach is purely software-based. Thesecond-generation AirPods ProApple released in 2022 and updated withUSB-C and a lossless Vision Pro connectionin 2023 aren’t changing. Instead, Apple’s tweaking the same components that enable things like Active Noise Cancelation, Transparency Mode, and Personalized Spatial Audio to offer new health-focused features.
There are three main features Apple will now offerwith the updated AirPods Pro:
Hearing Prevention will be enabled for all of Apple’s existing listening modes by default, while the Hearing Aid feature will require valid hearing test results to work. All the features will be accessible and able to be used without a doctor’s supervision (hence the “over-the-counter” label), though hearing test results can be easily downloaded in PDF mode to be shared with your doctor if you need.
Signia Active are hearing aids that work just like true wireless earphones
Hearing aid specialist Signia has announced the Siginia and Signia Pro designed to take the stigma away from aids.
OTC hearing aids are a relatively new thing
Apple isn’t likely to be the last company to turn earbuds into hearing aids
Easily accessible hearing aids and software-based hearing aid features are a relatively recent innovation in the United States. The FDA firstchanged its rules around hearing aids in 2022, letting them be sold directly to customers rather than requiring doctor’s approval, and the insurance-subsidized purchase of a medical device that could cost over a thousand dollars.
Millions of people stand to benefit from Apple’s updated AirPods Pro.
Other audio companies like Bosehave made hearing aids in the past, and it wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect future tech companies to take Apple’s software-based approach in the future. You’ll still get a more personalized and powerful pair of hearing aids from your doctor, but millions of people stand to benefit from Apple’s updated AirPods Pro, and that’s never a bad thing.
Apple hasn’t shared a final release date for its AirPods Pro software update other than “this fall,” but Pocket-lint plans on testing the new features thoroughly when they are actually released.
Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation (USB-C)
