Apple’s new AirPods Pro model is expected to double as a “clinical grade” hearing device, the company announced Monday as part of a larger product rollout.
The AirPods Pro 2 will offer both a “clinical grade” hearing test and professional grade hearing aid for iPhone and iPad users, in what the company claims is the world’s first software-enabled hearing aid feature.
The company announced the new element during its annual hardware event Monday, stating it is still awaiting clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other regulatory bodies, but expects to receive approval “soon.”
Just over two years ago, the federal agency passed a rule allowing hearing aids to be sold over the counter.
When reached for comment, the FDA told The Hill it is not able to comment on the timing of regulatory actions.
Apple is marketing the product as a way to provide “faster, easier, and more convenient” testing for hearing loss from users’ homes. Its active noise cancellation and in-ear seal will help “simulate the conditions” for a hearing test, which can be launched from users’ AirPods settings or the Health app on their iPhone or iPad.
The test will play a series of tones, developed from more than 150,000 real-world audiograms and millions of stimulations, which a user responds to by tapping the screen, according to Apple. The test takes about five minutes and delivers immediate results and a personalized profile for the user, the company said.
If a user has little to no hearing loss, they will be able to adjust settings for enhanced audio on media or calls, while users who test for mild to moderate to hearing loss will be asked to set up the hearing aid feature.
Apple emphasized Monday that any data from the test is private and “securely stored” in users’ Health app and the test can be retaken any time. Users will “start hearing more clearly immediately,” Apple said.
The feature will be available with a free software update in more than 100 countries and regions this month, Apple said. The AirPods Pro 2 run for $249 and can be pre-ordering starting Monday. They will launch in stores Sept. 20.
Nearly 15 percent of American adults over the age of 18 have reported some trouble hearing, while an estimated 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from using hearing aids, according to data from the National Health Interview Survey. Despite this, only about 30 percent of adults ages 70 and older have ever used a hearing aid.
Apple will also launch a passive hearing protection mode, which will actively work to reduce louder, more intermittent noise in noisy areas. The company said it conducted a hearing study, and found one in three people are regulatory exposed to loud environmental noise levels that can impact their hearing.
The tech giant is also targeting health issues with its new Apple Series 10, which will be able to alert users if it detects the possibility of sleep apnea. It uses an accelerator to monitor “breathing distances” while users are sleeping. This feature is also awaiting FDA and other regulatory clearances but is expected to be available in over 150 countries and regions this month, the company said.
The California-based company also unveiled its newest iPhone lineup on Monday, stating the model was built “from the ground up” for Apple’s native AI software, “Apple Intelligence.”