Hearing Aid feature for AirPods Pro 2

September 14, 2024

Introducing a breakthrough all-in-one hearing health experience — a Hearing Test, a Hearing Aid capability, and active Hearing Protection. Coming this fall to your AirPods Pro 2 with a free software update.

I’m losing my hearing. Can the AirPods Pro help? I’ve been to countless shows, playing in bands since I was 14 and working with audio for 25 years. It makes sense, but prescription hearing aids are expensive, and now that there are over-the-counter hearing aids, maybe that’s a solution. Or maybe I have the solution already.

The FDA has officially approved Apple’s AirPods Pro as over-the-counter hearing aids, marking a significant step forward in the tech giant’s healthcare initiatives. With this approval, Apple’s popular wireless earbuds can now assist users with mild to moderate hearing loss, expanding their functionality beyond entertainment and communication.

The AirPods Pro are equipped with advanced features like adaptive transparency and active noise cancellation, which, combined with FDA clearance, enable them to serve as personal sound amplification devices. Apple’s Health app will allow users to customize hearing settings for better sound clarity in various environments. This move aligns with the FDA’s recent efforts to make hearing aids more accessible and affordable, allowing consumers to address hearing concerns without needing a prescription.

This development positions Apple as a key player in the health tech space, blending wearable technology with medical-grade functionality.

The FDA’s approval of Apple’s AirPods Pro as over-the-counter hearing aids is a major milestone in both the tech and healthcare industries. Apple has long been adding health-focused features to its devices, and this latest development expands the capabilities of the AirPods Pro beyond their traditional uses for music and calls.

With this FDA clearance, the AirPods Pro can now be marketed and used as hearing aids for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. Users will be able to configure their AirPods through the iPhone’s Health app, customizing settings to amplify and clarify sounds in various situations, such as crowded areas, noisy environments, or during conversations. This allows people to fine-tune the earbuds according to their unique hearing needs, offering a highly personalized solution that doesn’t require a doctor’s visit or a traditional hearing aid fitting.

The AirPods Pro’s built-in features, like Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency Mode, and spatial audio, further enhance the hearing experience. These tools allow users to focus on specific sounds, reduce background noise, or increase awareness of their surroundings, all while maintaining the sleek design and user-friendly interface that Apple is known for.

This approval follows the FDA’s 2022 rule that allowed for over-the-counter hearing aids, making hearing health more accessible and reducing costs for consumers. With Apple’s entry into this space, the market for hearing aids is likely to experience a transformation, offering people affordable, easy-to-use alternatives to traditional devices.

Incorporating health technology into everyday consumer devices like the AirPods Pro also broadens the potential for more individuals to address hearing loss earlier, as they can now seek out affordable solutions that seamlessly integrate with their existing tech ecosystem. Apple’s latest move emphasizes its growing role in the intersection of personal health and technology, promising even more advancements in the future.

In a groundbreaking move that could revolutionize the hearing aid industry, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new feature for Apple’s AirPods Pro, allowing the popular wireless earbuds to function as over-the-counter hearing aids. This approval is a major development, as it not only underscores Apple’s increasing focus on health-related technologies but also introduces a more accessible, user-friendly, and affordable alternative to traditional hearing aids for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.

The FDA’s Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Rule

The FDA’s decision to approve Apple’s AirPods Pro as hearing aids comes on the heels of a broader initiative to make hearing aids more accessible to the general public. In 2022, the FDA implemented new regulations allowing over-the-counter hearing aids, which do not require a prescription or a visit to an audiologist. This move was intended to lower the cost barrier for the millions of Americans experiencing hearing loss, many of whom are priced out of the traditional hearing aid market.

Hearing aids can be expensive, with traditional devices often costing thousands of dollars. Many insurance companies do not cover these costs, leaving individuals to bear the financial burden on their own. By permitting tech giants like Apple to enter the hearing aid market, the FDA aims to increase competition, drive down prices, and encourage innovation, offering consumers a broader range of choices.

How the AirPods Pro Hearing Aid Feature Works

With the new FDA-approved feature, AirPods Pro users will be able to use their earbuds as hearing aids through self-fitting software. This feature is particularly designed for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss, offering a customizable hearing solution at a fraction of the cost of conventional aids. Through Apple’s integrated software and the iPhone’s Health app, users can fine-tune the audio settings to amplify sounds in their environment, making it easier to hear conversations, music, or ambient noise.

The AirPods Pro, with their already existing Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency Mode, provide an excellent foundation for this new hearing aid functionality. The ANC feature blocks unwanted background noise, while Transparency Mode lets users stay aware of their surroundings by amplifying external sounds. These two modes, combined with customizable hearing adjustments, make the AirPods Pro a versatile tool for people with hearing challenges.

To set up the AirPods Pro for use as hearing aids, users can go into the iPhone’s settings, where the device will walk them through a self-fitting process. This allows users to adjust audio settings based on their personal needs, including adjusting sound frequencies and boosting softer sounds. The device also uses machine learning algorithms to optimize sound for the individual’s hearing profile, making the process more accurate and personalized.

The Advantages of AirPods Pro as Hearing Aids

There are several significant advantages to using AirPods Pro as hearing aids. First and foremost, they are significantly less expensive than traditional hearing aids, which can range from $2,000 to $7,000. AirPods Pro, priced around $249, offer a much more affordable solution for those who need hearing assistance but cannot afford a conventional device.

Another key benefit is the sleek, discreet design of the AirPods Pro. Many people with hearing loss, especially younger individuals, are reluctant to wear bulky or conspicuous hearing aids due to stigma or aesthetic concerns. AirPods Pro, on the other hand, are familiar, stylish, and already widely used by millions of people. This means users can benefit from hearing enhancement without drawing attention to the fact that they are using a hearing aid.

Moreover, the AirPods Pro offer multifunctionality. Unlike traditional hearing aids, which are solely designed for hearing enhancement, the AirPods Pro serve multiple purposes. In addition to functioning as hearing aids, they can still be used for listening to music, taking phone calls, or interacting with Siri. This makes them an attractive option for users who want an all-in-one device that integrates seamlessly into their daily lives.

Expanding Accessibility and Reducing Stigma

One of the most important aspects of this FDA approval is its potential to reduce the stigma associated with hearing loss and hearing aids. Many people delay or avoid seeking help for their hearing problems because they are embarrassed to wear a traditional hearing aid, often seen as a sign of aging. By allowing AirPods Pro to double as hearing aids, Apple is helping to normalize the use of hearing assistance devices.

Because AirPods Pro are already such a ubiquitous accessory, wearing them for hearing assistance may feel more natural and less conspicuous. This could encourage more people, especially younger adults and tech-savvy individuals, to address their hearing loss earlier and more proactively.

Technology and Health Converging

The FDA’s approval of Apple’s AirPods Pro as hearing aids represents the ongoing convergence of consumer electronics and healthcare. Apple has been steadily integrating health-related features into its devices over the past decade, from fitness tracking on the Apple Watch to advanced heart monitoring capabilities. The AirPods Pro’s new hearing aid feature is another step in Apple’s broader strategy to position itself as a leader in the personal health tech space.

This move also highlights the growing role of technology in democratizing healthcare. Traditional hearing aids require visits to an audiologist for fitting and adjustment, often adding to the overall cost. The AirPods Pro, with their self-fitting software, remove this barrier, allowing users to manage their hearing health from the comfort of their homes, using a familiar device.

In addition to Apple, other tech companies are likely to follow suit, pushing the envelope on what consumer electronics can do for healthcare. This trend opens up exciting possibilities for the future of health tech, as companies seek to integrate more advanced health monitoring and treatment features into everyday devices.

Challenges and Considerations

While the approval of the AirPods Pro as hearing aids is a major step forward, there are some challenges and limitations. First, the feature is primarily targeted at individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss, meaning it may not be a viable solution for those with severe hearing impairment. Traditional hearing aids, which are specifically designed and fitted by professionals, may still be necessary for users with more significant hearing loss.

Moreover, while the AirPods Pro offer many features that enhance the hearing experience, they lack some of the advanced technologies found in high-end hearing aids, such as directional microphones that can automatically adjust based on the user’s environment or advanced tinnitus masking features. This means that while the AirPods Pro are a great option for many users, they may not entirely replace the need for traditional hearing aids in all cases.

A Game-Changer for Hearing Health

The FDA’s approval of Apple’s AirPods Pro as hearing aids is a transformative moment for the hearing aid industry and for consumers with hearing loss. By providing a cost-effective, accessible, and versatile alternative to traditional hearing aids, Apple is poised to make a significant impact on the lives of millions of people who struggle with hearing issues.

As the lines between consumer technology and healthcare continue to blur, we can expect even more innovations that empower individuals to take control of their health using devices they already own and are comfortable with. For Apple, this is just the latest example of how its products are evolving beyond entertainment and communication tools into essential devices that support and enhance personal well-being.

The approval of this hearing aid feature for the AirPods Pro is a powerful reminder that technology can be a tool for improving accessibility, reducing stigma, and making healthcare more equitable for all.

A couple of weeks ago, I went to the ENT, took a hearing test, got an MRI, and found out that I could use hearing aids. That sent me down a rabbit hole of exploring prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, figuring out what they are, and how they work. I even tried an OTC solution (more on that later). But what surprised me was discovering that one of the best non-prescription solutions was already in my collection: the AirPods Pro.

Hey folks, my name is Jason, and I talk about tech and how it intersects with creative life and all kinds of things like that. If this video helps you or you find it interesting, hit that like button and consider subscribing to the channel for more videos like this and other tech-related content. Let’s dive into the video, and be sure to stick around until the end because I’m going to show you how to set up AirPods as hearing aids and share how they’ve worked for me so far.

First, though, let’s discuss the different kinds of hearing aids available, as this was new to me, and I had to learn quite a bit. There are two categories: OTC and prescription. OTC stands for over-the-counter, a relatively new category that became legal in the past couple of years. This law allows OTC hearing aids to be sold without a prescription, ranging from a few hundred to a couple of thousand dollars or more.

I ended up trying the Sennheiser All-Day Clear Slims, an OTC hearing aid. You can buy them at Best Buy or on Amazon, and I’ll include links in the description. Prescription hearing aids, as the name suggests, are customized to your hearing after an audiogram. They’re programmed to fit your specific needs, and you also get support from an audiologist. However, the average cost of prescription hearing aids is steep, ranging between $4,000 to $5,000—something that shocked me.

Now, about the AirPods. Apple has quietly incorporated several hearing-aid-like features into the AirPods, and most of these have been available since iOS 15. You can access them via accommodations in the settings app, which I’ll walk you through later. After my diagnosis, I tried the Sennheiser hearing aids, which cost $1,000. I went with these because I’ve always trusted Sennheiser headphones, and they’re owned by Phonak, a well-respected brand in the hearing aid industry.

Sennheiser’s hearing aids are pretty discreet, with smart features that automatically adjust to your surroundings. However, I struggled with something called the occlusion effect, where your ears feel sealed, making your voice sound weird inside your head. It was tough to get used to, and despite being told that it takes time to adjust to hearing aids, I found it difficult. I wore them for about a day and a half, but as a musician and content creator, I didn’t think OTC hearing aids were going to cut it for me. On top of that, my insurance doesn’t cover hearing aids.

That’s when I stumbled upon the AirPods features. I’ve owned the AirPods Pro 2 since their release and have covered them on this channel for music and entertainment purposes, but I had no idea they had hearing aid functionality. AirPods have features comparable to other OTC hearing aids, but Apple doesn’t market them as hearing aids. In fact, they have some features that even the Sennheisers don’t offer, like the ability to upload an audiogram to your phone, which helps fine-tune your AirPods to your specific hearing loss.

You can get an audiogram either from an audiologist or a free app called Mimi, which I used since I didn’t have an audiologist appointment scheduled. After taking the test and generating an audiogram, I went into my iPhone settings, followed the prompts, and set up my AirPods for hearing assistance. I was genuinely impressed by the results. The audiogram picked up on my mid-range and high-end hearing deficits, and everything around me sounded clearer.

The audiogram doesn’t just apply to conversations; it also affects media and music, so the AirPods fine-tune your experience based on your specific hearing needs. Setting it up is straightforward: go to the settings app on your iPhone, select accessibility, scroll down to the hearing section, and go to accommodations. You can then upload your audiogram and customize settings like amplification and transparency balance.

So far, my experience with using AirPods as hearing aids has been positive. The occlusion effect is much less pronounced compared to the Sennheisers, and I feel more connected during conversations. However, the AirPods Pro may not be a permanent solution for me because of their six-hour battery life and the fact that they’re fully sealed in the ear, which might not be great for people with tinnitus like me.

For someone with mild hearing loss, the AirPods Pro could be the perfect solution. They offer an excellent alternative to other OTC hearing aids, and in some cases, they might even be better. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below, and don’t forget to check the description for links to everything I’ve mentioned here. Thanks for watching, and if you liked the video, please hit subscribe and check out the next recommended video on the side of the screen!

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