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Written by Eugene Song, PharmD 2027
November 4, 2024
Affordable Hearing Assistance: AirPods Pro 2's New Hearing Aid Feature
Apple’s Airpods Pro 2 offers a clinical-grade hearing aid feature ensuring broader access to the hearing test, the hearing aid feature, and active hearing protection just with one set of headphones. This innovative feature represents a significant advancement in the intersection of hearing health and digital health. It opens up accessibility and affordability to those who are experiencing mild to moderate hearing loss. And it is available with just a free software upgrade!
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved Apple’s new ‘Hearing Aid Feature’. This feature allows surrounding sound to be amplified for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. People experiencing mild to moderate hearing loss can make it difficult to hear soft sounds, especially in noisy environments. This would make conversations difficult in loud places and may increase social isolation for those experiencing hearing loss. According to the National Council on Aging, "more than 30 million American adults have some degree of hearing loss. However, only 1 in 6 Americans with hearing impairments actually use hearing aids due to high cost, lack of accessibility, poor customer satisfaction, and stigma”.
Apple’s Airpods Pro 2 offers new features including hearing assessment, personalized sound amplification, and integration with the iOS software system. Users can perform a five-minute hearing test at home to assess their hearing needs. The device can also amplify specific sounds, boosting parts of speech or elements within your environment in real-time.
The development of discreet, over-the-counter hearing aids is socially transformative for people experiencing hearing loss. Traditional hearing aids often carry a stigma due to their visibility and association with age, which can discourage people from seeking assistance. The Airpods Pro 2, with its inconspicuous design, represents a new alternative to hearing loss technology. In addition, hearing aids are costly ranging from $100 to $7000. The Airpods Pro 2 offers a cheaper alternative to hearing aids. These headphones also are over-the-counter not requiring a specialized hearing provider which is a huge barrier to hearing aids. Taking another step towards accessibility and acceptability for hearing support.
A limitation of this technology is its limited battery life. The Airpods Pro 2 has significantly shorter battery life compared to dedicated hearing aids which can last days or weeks with one singular charge. The device is also not customizable for individual hearing loss. Hearing aids can provide more precise, audiologist-guided customization for hearing needs and fit. The Airpods Pro 2 are also limited to individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. It does not support sufficient amplification for those with severe hearing loss.
While AirPods may not replace medical-grade hearing aids for individuals with severe hearing loss, they offer a step toward democratizing hearing assistance and reducing barriers related to cost, convenience, and social acceptance. This development aligns with the broader trend of consumer electronics companies entering the healthcare space, leveraging their technology to address medical needs.
References:
Everett C. Reasons for Low Hearing Aid Usage in America | NCOA.org. National Council on Aging. Published August 11, 2023. https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/hearing-aids/low-hearing-loss-treatment-reasons/
FDA approves some Apple AirPods to be used as hearing aids. NPR. Published September 14, 2024. https://www.npr.org/2024/09/14/nx-s1-5112400/fda-airpods-hearing-aids-software-update
Cerullo M. Apple’s new AirPods Pro double as a hearing aid. Experts call it a game changer. Cbsnews.com. Published September 10, 2024. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/apples-new-airpods-pro-double-hearing-aid/
AirPods Pro 2 - Hearing Health. Apple. Published 2024. https://www.apple.com/airpods-pro/hearing-health/
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