Apple’s new AirPods double as hearing aids

Apple this week unveiled a series of new features for its latest product lineup, including an innovative feature for the iPhone maker's new generation of AirPods Pro that could be a game-changer and a bargain for people with hearing loss.

The AirPods Pro 2, available from September 20, will also function as a hearing aid for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. At $245, they could be an alternative to prescription hearing aids that can cost thousands of dollars.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 1.5 billion people currently live with hearing loss, but Apple's own research has found that only a small fraction of those people receive treatment for their hearing loss.

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Hence, the tech giant has also developed a hearing test feature for its users, which provides a summary of the results along with a customized hearing profile for the Airpods Pro, which can be stored in the Health app and shared with healthcare providers.

According to Apple, users can use the hearing aid feature to fine-tune their experience at any time. (Apple/Fox News)

“Hearing health is an essential part of our overall health, yet it's often overlooked. In fact, a shocking 75 percent of people diagnosed with hearing loss don't receive treatment, according to the Apple Hearing Study,” said Sumbul Desai, MD, Apple's vice president of Health.

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“With AirPods Pro, we're excited to deliver groundbreaking software features that put our users' hearing health first and give them new ways to get screened and helped for hearing loss,” Desai added.

Cupertino, USA, September 9, 2024: A glowing Apple logo is seen at Apple headquarters before the start of the innovation event. (Andrey Sokolow/Photo Alliance via Getty Images/Getty Images)

Apple's new hearing aid feature comes two years after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a historic ruling allowing hearing aids to be sold over the counter, eliminating the need for a medical exam, prescription or fitting by an audiologist, making hearing aids more accessible to people with what may be mild to moderate hearing loss.

However, since the new regulations came into force, the hearing aid market has become much more competitive.

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Several retailers now sell over-the-counter hearing aids, and last year Apple rival Google announced it was partnering with a range of healthcare providers and research technology organisations to develop personalised hearing aids using artificial intelligence.

FOX Business' Bradford Betts and Daniella Genovese contributed to this report.