At Apple’s “It’s Glowtime” event, the iPhone 16 may have grabbed the spotlight, but the most surprising update came from a different product line: the AirPods Pro 2.
Apple announced that these premium earbuds will soon double as over-the-counter hearing aids through a software update, pending approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
On Thursday, the FDA approved what it calls the first “over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid software device,” which includes the AirPods Pro 2’s new Hearing Aid Feature. This update will allow users to enhance sound quality for those with mild to moderate hearing loss.
“Hearing loss is a major public health issue affecting millions of Americans,” said the FDA’s Michelle Tarver. “Today’s authorization of an OTC hearing aid software on a popular consumer audio product is a step forward in making hearing support more accessible and acceptable for adults with hearing loss.”
This news builds on the FDA’s 2022 decision to allow hearing aids to be sold without a prescription, making these devices more accessible. The AirPods Pro 2’s hearing aid feature will be available in iOS 18 settings when the earbuds are connected. Users will need to receive a diagnosis of mild to moderate hearing loss or upload results from a doctor to activate the feature.
The AirPods Pro 2 hearing aid function works by adjusting different frequencies to amplify important sounds, like human voices, making it easier for users to hear in everyday situations.
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