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Agence France-Presse

Apple has received the green light from US regulators to add a feature that would let coming AirPods Pro ear pieces be used as hearing aids, potentially disrupting that market.
Earlier this week the company added AirPods Pro 2 to its line-up, and touted a pending software upgrade that will let people test their hearing and then get assisted listening for everyday life as well as streaming online.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorised the hearing aid feature for the devices, noting that a study showed users found them as beneficial as professionally fitted ones.
“Hearing loss is a significant public health issue impacting millions of Americans,” said FDA acting director Michelle Tarver.

Apple’s software “advances the availability, accessibility and acceptability of hearing support for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss”, Tarver added.
AirPods Pro 2 are priced at US$249 in the US, considerably lower than the average price of clinical-grade hearing aids, but those interested will need to adopt Apple’s devices.
Along with the new feature, the AirPods Pro 2, used with iPhones or iPads, will be able to test hearing and create a user’s hearing profile stored privately in an Apple Health app. The test takes about five minutes, with users tapping an iPhone or iPad screen when they hear tones at various volumes and frequencies. The results are then used to calibrate the hearing aid.
That profile is also “automatically applied to music, movies, games, and phone calls across their devices without needing to adjust any settings”, Apple said.
Typical hearing aids do not adapt specifically for streamed content or phone calls.

“Hearing health is an essential part of our overall well-being, yet it can often be overlooked,” Apple vice-president of health doctor Sumbul Desai said in a release. Apple said that research indicates more than a billion people worldwide live with mild to moderate hearing loss.
“We are very excited about the new announcement by Apple,” Hearing Loss Association of America executive director Barbara Kelley told AFP.
“The fact that a product that millions of people already own will offer hearing help and protection is a big step forward.”
The iPhone maker plans to make the features available in more than 100 countries in the coming months, pending authorisation from relevant health authorities.

Apple has steadily been integrating health and fitness features into its products. Apple Watch can remind people when to take medicine; warn of harmful noise levels, or detect an irregular heart rhythm that should be checked. It can also let women know when they are likely ovulating.
A new version of Apple Watch announced this week adds the ability to detect sleep apnoea, a dangerous condition in which breathing stops intermittently while sleeping.
An Apple Health App collects data then uses machine learning to mine it for insights, keeping information on devices, according to the tech titan. Health metrics offered by Apple include heart and respiration rates; blood glucose, and how well one sleeps.


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Wellness

Apple AirPods Pro 2 approved as hearing aids in US, a boon for daily life and online audio

New Apple AirPods on display at Apple headquarters in California on September 9, 2024. Photo: Bloomberg

US regulators have approved the use of Apple AirPods Pro 2 as hearing aids. A pending software upgrade will allow the ear pieces to become hearing aids that work in everyday life and for online audio. Photo: Bloomberg

With a software upgrade, the latest Apple Pods can function as hearing aids and allow users to test their own hearing. Photo: Bloomberg

The battery charger for the Apple AirPods, shown at an event at the Apple Park campus in California, US, on September 9, 2024. Photo: Bloomberg

Apple Watches are packed with health and fitness apps and monitors. Photo: AFP

Apple to hold ‘It’s Glowtime’ iPhone 16 launch event on September 9

An Apple store at Grand Central Station in New York. Photo: Reuters

Apple Vision Pro hits Hong Kong and China: a Gen Z gamer and a Gen Y gadget geek’s takes

A customer tries the Apple Vision Pro at a store in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. Photo: Jelly Tse

A customer tries the Apple Vision Pro at a store in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. A Gen Z gamer and a gadget geek give their takes on the headset as it goes on sale in Asia, including in mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore. Photo: Jelly Tse

The Vision Pro user interface is controlled by the users’ eyes and fingers, which activates its built-in sensors. Photo: Queenie Wong

Customers can receive a free demo of the Vision Pro in Apple store, which can be booked online. Photo: Queenie Wong 

A look at the virtual menu on the Vision Pro. Photo: Ben Sin

What the wearer of the Vision Pro sees when having the headset on. Photo: Ben Sin

Many popular apps, such as YouTube, Netflix or Instagram, do not have a dedicated Vision Pro app yet. Photo: AFP

Lifestyle

Gadgets

Health & Wellness

Health

A software upgrade will turn the ear pieces into hearing aids that conduct hearing tests and will work with online audio and mobile phones


A software upgrade will turn the ear pieces into hearing aids that conduct hearing tests and will work with online audio and mobile phones.


Apple