Apple will work on hearing aid mode on AirPods Pro, aimed at people with hearing loss. The most recent rumors suggest that this modality will be released via iOS 18, the next version of the iPhone operating system. This feature will turn the headphones into a health device.
According to Mark Gurman, AirPods Pro will get a headphone feature in iOS 18 in the latest edition of his newsletter Turn onjournalist Bloomberg reported that the main news about AirPods Pro in 2024 will be mode for users with hearing loss. This feature will be enabled via software and will not require any headphone setup.
News about hearing aid mode on AirPods Pro It’s been circulating for some time. Gurman himself said a year ago that Apple headphones will become a health tool in 2024 or 2025. The journalist added that the device will offer audio dataalthough I did not delve into the information.
According to sources, the hearing aid function will appear in the new firmware. Gurman added that AirPods Pro won’t get hardware updates in 2024so the hearing loss mode will work similar to other features such as Enhance Conversation or Listen live. The latter allows you to amplify external sound through the microphone to listen to conversations in noisy environments.
Live listening is one of the most commonly used modes. people with hearing problems. This feature uses beamforming microphones to capture sound and amplify voices. The feature debuted in a 2021 firmware update for the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max.
AirPods Pro – an alternative to hearing aids for hearing loss
headphones (or hearing aids) are devices Designed for mild to severe hearing loss. and they have different volume levels and frequency channels. Although the curved design is the most well-known, some manufacturers offer in-ear models aimed at older adults or people with limited hand dexterity.
Although AirPods Pro offer functions to enhance the microphone or improve voice clarity, They are not considered a medical device.. To do this, Apple will have to obtain permission from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the EMA or local organizations (such as the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products).
In the USA the FDA allows sale of hearing aids without visiting a specialist About health. Over-the-counter hearing aids are sold to people with mild to moderate hearing loss and do not require a prescription. In case of a serious problem or other specific symptoms, the user should consult an ENT doctor.
The new hearing aid feature in AirPods Pro fits neatly into this category, although its features and operation are yet to be confirmed. If Apple offers it in iOS 18, AirPods Pro will join the iPhone and Apple Watch to celebrate hat trick in the company’s health offering.
Source: Hiper Textual
I’m Ben Stock, a highly experienced and passionate journalist with a career in the news industry spanning more than 10 years. I specialize in writing content for websites, including researching and interviewing sources to produce engaging articles. My current role is as an author at Gadget Onus, where I mainly cover the mobile section.
