Apple’s new update turns AirPods into over-the-counter hearing aids

Apple recently released a revolutionary update for select AirPods that turns them into full-featured over-the-counter hearing aids.

This innovative feature, available exclusively for AirPods Pro 2, raises the question: how does it work, who might benefit from it, and can it potentially replace traditional hearing aids?

The update allows users to use their AirPods to improve their hearing, making it a notable advance in accessibility for people with hearing loss. Marianne Demski, a retired teacher from Glen Burnie who has suffered from gradual hearing loss for the past 30 years, shared her experience.

“I couldn’t hear my students,” she recalls, prompting her to get a hearing test. After trying different hearing aids, she explained some of the limitations of the AirPods feature.

“As soon as I heard about the six-hour battery life, I thought, ‘That’s not for me.’ I need something that will last me all day,” she said.

Britney Omets, owner and audiologist at Anne Arundel Audiologyacknowledges the benefits of this update.

“Many people already have access to Apple products, so this development increases accessibility,” she said. This additional feature could help reduce hearing aid stigma as users are already accustomed to wearing AirPods.

However, Omets notes that the upgrade has its limitations. “The six-hour battery life means it may not be suitable for those who need hearing aids during the day,” she warned.

AirPods can be especially useful in settings where people experience minimal hearing loss and need a little extra help. “If you’re in a meeting or sitting further away, now is the time to use AirPods,” Omets suggested.

Despite the innovative nature of this update, health professionals stress that it does not replace the need to visit an audiologist. Hearing loss can sometimes be associated with other problems, such as earwax buildup, which requires a professional evaluation.

Among its features, the new update allows users to download an audiology test directly to their phone, allowing AirPods to adjust audio settings to suit individual hearing needs. Additionally, AirPods can perform a hearing test to identify frequencies that the user may not be able to hear.

For those interested in using AirPods on social media, Omets emphasized their functionality: “If you wear them at a concert, you’ll still be able to hear the music while reducing harmful noise.”

Because this update is limited to AirPods Pro 2 devices, those who do not have this technology or who are experiencing severe hearing problems are still advised to consult a medical expert about traditional hearing aids.