Apple AirPods May Serve as ‘Clinical Grade’ Hearing Aids
Apple’s AirPods have received a significant software update that allows them to function as “clinical grade” hearing aids in the UK. The most recent version, the AirPods Pro 2, priced at £229, already featured a five-minute hearing test for users. Thanks to this new software enhancement, if users show signs of mild to moderate hearing loss during this test, the AirPods can adjust specific sound frequencies. This adjustment makes it easier to follow conversations and improves the listening experience for music, movies, games, and phone calls.
According to the charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, nearly seven million people in the UK could benefit from using a hearing aid, but only about two million actually use them. Previously, the hearing aid capabilities of AirPods were accessible to users in other countries, but regulations in the UK needed to be modified to allow this feature. Health Secretary Wes Streeting noted that these changes reflect Britain’s efforts to eliminate “pointless regulations that suffocate innovation.”
The new functionality of AirPods is likely to appeal to many, especially middle-aged individuals who may hesitate to use traditional hearing aids, often priced in the thousands of pounds. Research suggests that using hearing aids can lead to better relationships, enriched social lives, and improved mental sharpness, while also reducing the chances of loneliness and depression.
Hearing involves a range of frequencies, typically from about 250 hertz to 5,000 hertz. As people get older, their ability to hear higher-pitched sounds diminishes first. This decline means that certain sounds, particularly those between 4,000 and 5,000 hertz—like the sounds of the letters “f,” “th,” and “s”—become difficult to hear in conversations. Hearing aids work by selectively boosting these important frequencies, helping people engage better in discussions.
Experts believe that devices like Apple’s AirPods can help change the negative perceptions some people might have about hearing aids and aging. Kevin Munro, a professor of audiology at the University of Manchester, commented that consumer products such as AirPods could lessen this stigma. He compared the use of AirPods to people purchasing reading glasses—they might choose to use them before seeking a formal eye examination and obtaining a tailored prescription.
In summary, Apple’s AirPods Pro can now serve as effective hearing aids in the UK, making hearing enhancement more accessible and less stigmatized. This update could help many individuals who are reluctant to use traditional hearing aids find a more comfortable and familiar option for improving their hearing. With an easy-to-use hearing test and the potential to customize sound to better aid communication, Apple is stepping into a space that benefits both users and their close relationships, all while promoting a healthier listening experience.
