Apple's AirPods Pro 2 approved as hearing ads, reshaping health tech

Apple received approval from US regulators on Thursday to add a function that will allow forthcoming AirPods Pro earpieces to be used as hearing aids, potentially disrupting the industry.

Earlier this week, the business added AirPods Pro 2 to its roster, claiming a pending software update that will allow customers to test their hearing and then receive aided listening for everyday use and online streaming.

The introduction of this new feature marks a significant milestone in the convergence of consumer electronics and healthcare technology. By leveraging their existing ecosystem of devices, Apple is poised to make hearing assistance more accessible and less stigmatized. This move could potentially encourage more individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss to seek help, as the barrier to entry is significantly lowered both in terms of cost and convenience.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the hearing-aid feature for the devices on Thursday, citing a research that demonstrated they were equally beneficial to users as properly fitted ones.

Hearing loss is a critical public health concern that affects millions of Americans, according to FDA acting director Michelle Tarver. Apple's software improves the availability, accessibility, and acceptability of hearing support for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. AirPods Pro 2 are priced at US$249 (RM1,078), which is far less than the typical cost of clinical-grade hearing aids, but those interested must use Apple products.

This pricing strategy could have far-reaching implications for the hearing aid industry. Traditional hearing aid manufacturers may need to reassess their pricing models and product offerings to remain competitive. Moreover, the integration of hearing aid functionality into a widely used consumer product could help reduce the stigma associated with hearing loss, potentially leading to earlier intervention and improved quality of life for many individuals.

Along with the new capability, AirPods Pro 2 paired with iPhones or iPads will be able to test hearing and generate a user's hearing profile, which will be maintained confidentially in an Apple Health app.

The test lasts roughly five minutes, and consumers tap an iPhone or iPad screen when they hear tones of varying loudness and frequencies. The data is then utilized to calibrate the hearing aid.

According to Apple, that profile is also immediately applied to music, movies, games, and phone calls across all of their devices, eliminating the need to modify any settings.

Typical hearing aids are not designed specifically for streaming multimedia or phone calls. Hearing health is an important element of our total well-being, yet it is sometimes disregarded, according to Sumbul Desai, Apple's vice president of health and wellness. According to research, over a billion people throughout the world suffer from mild to moderate hearing loss.

The Hearing Loss Association of America's executive director, Barbara Kelley, told AFP that they are quite enthusiastic by Apple's latest news. The fact that a device that millions of people currently own will now provide hearing aid and protection is a significant step forward.

The potential impact of this technology extends beyond individual users. Public health experts are optimistic about the possibility of collecting anonymized data on a large scale, which could provide valuable insights into hearing health trends and patterns. This wealth of information could inform future research and policy decisions, potentially leading to more targeted interventions and improved hearing health outcomes for populations worldwide.

The iPhone maker intends to make the features available in over 100 countries in the coming months, pending approval from the appropriate health authorities.

Apple has increasingly integrated health and fitness functions into its products: the Apple Watch may remind people to take their medications, warn of unsafe noise levels, or detect an unusual heart beat that should be checked. It can also predict when women are likely to ovulate.

A new version of the Apple Watch, introduced this week, includes the ability to detect sleep apnea, a hazardous disease in which breathing stops intermittently while sleeping. According to the tech titan, an Apple Health App takes data, mines it for insights using machine learning, and stores the information on devices. Apple offers health data such as heart and respiration rates, blood glucose levels, and sleep quality.

As Apple continues to expand its presence in the healthcare sector, questions arise about data privacy and the company's long-term strategy. While Apple has consistently emphasized its commitment to user privacy, the increasing amount of sensitive health data collected by its devices may require even more robust security measures. Additionally, this move into hearing health could signal Apple's broader ambitions in the medical device market, potentially paving the way for future innovations that further blur the lines between consumer electronics and medical equipment.