Apple has announced it will update its AirPods Pro 2 with new hearing health features, including a hearing test and even possibly an over-the-counter hearing aid, through a software update next week. First touted last September, this will position Apple in a market where over 1.5 billion people worldwide suffer from hearing loss, according to the World Health Organization.
For $249, AirPods Pro 2 will allow users to run a clinically validated home hearing test. The set-up is rather simple, with minimal time and effort. The headphones will also offer hearing protection features such as the loud sound reduction, which is made active by default.
The hearing test is even integrated into the Health app, or accessible through the earbud’s settings. It first asks basic questions about your age, health, and noise exposure, so that when you’re ready, you’ll know to take it in a quiet room. It shows your results right away and allows for sharing with your healthcare provider.
For users with a mild to moderate hearing loss, Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 may be set as a medical-grade hearing aid and can be fitted to the user with approval of the US Food and Drug Administration. The audio output is personalized for individual hearing profiles to enhance real-time speech and environmental sound clarity.
One user review commented on how although the media assist feature faintly made phone calls sound a little clearer, it was that full hearing aid functionality which really proved beneficial in noisy settings as one could amplify sounds therein much more strongly. Users also can personalize their settings to suit their preferences, making AirPods Pro 2 flexible for the user who is looking for assistive hearing technology.
Recent innovations by Apple to address audiology ensure the accessibility of its technology in terms of less visible alternatives to expensive traditional hearing aids that sell in the thousands of dollars. As more and more people become cognizant of hearing health, the Pro 2 variant of AirPods may revolutionize personal audio.
Read More : Click Here
