Apple is pushing the boundaries of personal health tech with new hearing health features in its AirPods Pro, aimed at increasing awareness and offering solutions for hearing loss.
As hearing issues often go untreated due to lack of awareness, Apple introduces a self-administered hearing test, using AirPods Pro and an iPhone or iPad, based on pure-tone audiometry. In under five minutes, users can receive an audiogram, securely stored in the Health app, which they can share with healthcare providers for informed discussions.
Building on findings from the Apple Hearing Study, which showed that 75% of those with hearing loss hadn’t received proper support, Apple now offers an over-the-counter hearing aid feature for AirPods Pro. This transforms the earbuds into personalized, dynamic hearing aids for users with mild to moderate hearing loss, allowing for enhanced sound amplification and clearer conversations.
The Media Assist feature boosts specific frequencies during calls and media playback, benefiting even those with minor hearing issues.
Beyond hardware, Apple’s ecosystem includes noise monitoring and safe listening tools, making hearing protection part of everyday life.
