Tag Archives: hearing aids

AirPods Pro 2 can now function as Hearing Aids after FDA grands Apple approval

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Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 have taken another significant step forward in redefining personal tech by earning FDA approval to function as over-the-counter hearing aids. This announcement comes as no surprise given Apple’s continued focus on integrating health-related features into its devices. At $250, the AirPods Pro 2 are positioned as a cost-effective solution compared to traditional hearing aids, which often cost thousands of dollars.

Apple is also helping users become more aware of their hearing health through an integrated, clinically validated hearing test. Conducted right from the AirPods Pro 2 paired with an iPhone, the test takes just five minutes. Users simply respond to tones at varying volumes and frequencies, making it a quick and accessible method to check for early signs of hearing loss. The results are then stored securely in Apple’s Health app, where users can track their hearing health over time and share the data with healthcare providers if needed​. Given that 80% of adults in the U.S. haven’t had their hearing checked in the last five years, according to Apple’s findings, this feature could play a crucial role in detecting hearing problems earlier.

The technology behind this innovation leverages the AirPods Pro 2’s H2 chip. Users can perform these hearing tests right from the iPhone. Once the user completes the hearing test, the AirPods Pro can automatically adjust audio settings to amplify sounds specifically tailored to their hearing profile. This means that whether you’re in a conversation, listening to music, or on a phone call, the AirPods Pro 2 will enhance the sounds that matter most to you, making interactions clearer and more accessible. Unlike traditional hearing aids, which can be costly and often come with limited sound quality, the AirPods Pro 2 offers a more affordable and seamless solution. Apple’s tight integration of hardware and software ensures that users benefit from pro-level sound quality in every aspect, from listening to music to engaging in real-world conversations.

The FDA’s approval followed a clinical study involving 118 participants who experienced mild to moderate hearing loss. According to the results, the self-fitting feature of the AirPods Pro 2 provided comparable benefits to professionally fitted devices, with no adverse effects reported. This breakthrough is part of a broader regulatory shift in the U.S., which, starting in 2022, allowed for over-the-counter hearing aids. This effort was driven by a desire to provide more affordable options for the approximately 30 million Americans who suffer from hearing impairments. With regulatory approvals from bodies like the FDA, the hearing aid functionality will be available in over 100 countries, including the U.S., Germany, and Japan, Apple says.

Despite its potential, using AirPods Pro 2 as hearing aids does come with limitations. Traditional hearing aids are designed to be worn for extended periods, offering maximum comfort and effectiveness. While AirPods Pro 2 are known for their comfort, they are still consumer-grade earbuds with a limited battery life lasting just a few hours rather than entire days. Their primary function remains entertainment, and they may not be suitable for people with severe hearing issues. Moreover, this functionality will only be available in the AirPods Pro 2 model, not the more affordable $130 or $180 versions of AirPods 4, which also launched recently.

Nonetheless, this is a critical development for accessibility in personal technology. Compared to traditional hearing aids, which can range from $2,000 to $10,000, Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 offer a solution at a fraction of the cost. Although Apple is not known for affordable budget-friendly products, its disruption of this market underscores the need for more affordable health tech options.

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Hands-On with the First FDA-Approved OTC Hearing Aid Software Device: Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 Transform Accessibility

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has officially authorized Apple’s over-the-counter Hearing Aid Feature (HAF), marking a breakthrough for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. Designed exclusively for the AirPods Pro 2, this software transforms the popular earbuds into customizable hearing aids. This development comes at a crucial time, as over 30 million American adults report some level of hearing loss, a condition that affects communication, relationships, work, and emotional well-being.

Designer: Apple

With the FDA’s recent approval, Apple’s Hearing Aid Feature allows users to tailor their listening experience without needing a prescription or professional fitting. Users can adjust personalized settings through the software using an iPhone or iPad, which enables them to fine-tune their hearing experience based on their specific needs. By offering this self-fitting functionality, Apple eliminates the need for costly audiologist visits. Instead of relying on traditional hearing aids, which often carry a stigma and high price tag, consumers can now use a product they may already own, making hearing support more accessible, affordable, and discreet.

“Hearing loss is a significant public health issue impacting millions of Americans,” said Dr. Michelle Tarver, acting director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “Today’s marketing authorization of an over-the-counter hearing aid software on a widely used consumer audio product is another step that advances the availability, accessibility, and acceptability of hearing support for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.”

The benefits for consumers are clear. The Hearing Aid Feature uses Apple’s HealthKit data to create a personalized audio profile tailored to the user’s hearing levels. This profile automatically adjusts amplification settings to enhance environmental sounds and media playback. The self-fitting process, which can be done entirely through an iPhone or iPad, is simple and intuitive, giving users complete control over their hearing aid experience. The ability to customize sound directly from a personal device reduces the barriers that often deter people from seeking hearing assistance.

The Hearing Aid Feature’s Core Functionality

This feature is specifically designed for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. After completing the hearing test, users receive a customized audio profile that adjusts environmental sounds and media playback to their hearing needs. The feature is not intended for those with severe or profound hearing loss, who will be advised to seek professional care. However, it’s a groundbreaking tool for users with moderate impairment, offering convenient adjustments on-the-go without specialized equipment or professional fitting.

Another key benefit is the feature’s ability to address asymmetric hearing loss. If a user has different levels of impairment in each ear, the software automatically adjusts for each side, ensuring an optimal hearing experience for both ears.

The software was tested in a clinical study with 118 participants who had perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. The results were impressive: individuals who used the self-fitting software experienced similar benefits to those who underwent professional fittings. Tests also showed that the Hearing Aid Feature provided comparable performance in amplifying sounds in the ear canal and improving speech understanding in noisy environments. Notably, no adverse events were reported during the study, further validating the safety and effectiveness of the software.

This FDA approval builds on the agency’s 2022 regulations for over-the-counter hearing aids, which allowed consumers to purchase hearing aids directly from stores or online without needing a medical exam or prescription. Apple’s software-only mobile medical application integrates advanced hearing aid technology into a familiar, everyday product. With the Hearing Aid Feature, users can now fit and adjust their hearing aids independently, avoiding the traditional challenges and costs associated with professional services.

How to Run the Hearing Test

I ran the hearing test within the Settings app during the demo after pairing the AirPods Pro 2. Users can easily access the Hearing Health section by selecting their AirPods Pro in Settings and scrolling down to the Take a Hearing Test option. From there, the on-screen instructions guide users through the process step-by-step.

The test is modeled after clinical hearing assessments, asking users to listen to tones that alternate between the left and right ears. Each tone starts faint and gradually increases in volume. All users need to do is tap the screen whenever they hear a tone. The system leverages active noise cancellation during the test, blocking out external sounds to ensure the results are accurate and unaffected by surrounding noise. Once the test is complete, the results indicate the level of hearing loss, such as mild or moderate, and automatically generate a personalized sound profile.

This profile is used to activate the Hearing Aid Feature, adjusting amplification settings based on the test results. Users can apply this profile to environmental sounds, phone calls, music, and other media, tailoring their experience to suit their hearing needs.

Reaction to the Demo

The process was simple, intuitive, and impressively smooth. As someone who demoed an incomplete version of the test, I found the setup straightforward and user-friendly, even for those without prior experience using hearing aids. The software intelligently adjusted the tones in real-time based on my responses, adapting the volume and frequency dynamically to create an accurate hearing profile.

Despite receiving generalized results indicating moderate hearing loss during the demo, the system gave me a clear understanding of how the Hearing Aid Feature would adjust to the user’s specific needs. Even though the profile was generic, the sound amplification was highly noticeable, even 5-8 feet away from the people speaking in the room. Additionally, the tonality and pitch of voices sounded sharper rather than just louder, offering a refined listening experience rather than a mere increase in volume. The real-time feedback and adaptability of the software reassured me that users could rely on this technology to provide an effective, custom-tailored hearing solution once fully functional.

Media Assist, Health Data Security, and Availability

The Hearing Aid Feature automatically enables Media Assist, which fine-tunes audio for phone calls and media playback, making conversations, music, and videos easier to hear. This feature can benefit even users with minimal hearing loss, as it automatically adjusts to individual needs without manual input.

All hearing test results are securely stored in Apple’s Health app, where users can export them as PDFs to share with healthcare providers. This ensures users have full control over their health data, maintaining privacy and security.

Apple’s FDA-approved Hearing Aid Feature transforms accessibility by integrating advanced hearing technology into a popular consumer device. This innovation reduces the stigma and cost barriers associated with traditional hearing aids, offering millions of users with mild to moderate hearing loss a discreet and more affordable way to manage their hearing health independently.

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Discreet hearing aid concept empowers people with hearing disabilities

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Many people try to deny experiencing physical disabilities for fear of making them look weak. This is especially true when it comes to hearing problems that people feel they can simply ignore or wave off easily. Those who do admit to having some hearing disabilities, however, are hesitant to get hearing aids that are expensive, fragile, uncomfortable, and too conspicuous, as if announcing their handicap to everyone around them. That doesn’t have to be the case, especially with today’s advancements in technology, and fortunately, some people are indeed stepping up to design a less obnoxious and more reliable hearing aid, such as this concept that tries to check all the boxes that would encourage more people to wear them and enjoy the world as it was meant to be heard.

Designers: Jitendra Kakade, Nikhil Srikrishnan, Riddhiman Dutta Choudhury

Despite how electronic components can now be so minuscule, most hearing aids still come in a large, two-piece design that, more often than not, clamps to the back of your ear. Such hearing aids are not only uncomfortable to wear, they also tend to put a very visible stigma on wearers, making them feel self-conscious and even ashamed to wear one. This leads to many owners abandoning these devices altogether, willing to sacrifice their happiness for the sake of their image.

Rezonance is a concept design that tries to think of a better solution that isn’t just more discreet but also more affordable and accessible in the long run. Instead of the typical clamping design, Rezonance employs bone conduction technology to be almost invisible. It’s a technology that is already used today on some wireless headphones, so it’s already a proven solution. By using bone conduction, there doesn’t need to be any visible part going into the person’s ear and Rezonance can stay hidden from view behind the wearer’s ear.

Instead of using clamping force to stay in place, the concept suggests an adhesive pad that’s similar to sports tape, ensuring that the material is not only waterproof but also reusable. Additionally, the components used to make the actual hearing aid are claimed to be quite cheap and easily available, which means that the final product itself doesn’t have to cost people an arm in exchange for their ear.

The design doesn’t specify whether Rezonance works only as a single piece or if you will need two for the full audio experience. Even then, it would still be a lot less cumbersome compared to the traditional hearing aid design. Of course, such a design will need to be verified first, especially by professionals, because a design that’s elegant yet ineffective will just end up disappointing and turning away people all the same.

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