Key Takeaways
After months of testing, Apple is finally launching a complete suite of hearing healthcare features to AirPods 2.
The launch is expected to happen by the end of fall this year in the UK.
Now, along with getting a hearing test, Apple users can actually wear the AirPods as hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss cases.
Apple AirPods can now double up as hearing aids. The feature will first be added to Airpod 2 by the end of this fall in the UK.
Airpod 2 already allows users to take a 5-minute hearing test to check their hearing levels which also comes with a detailed report indicating the amount of hearing loss in each ear. You also get an audiogram which is directly stored on your phone’s health app. In case you want to consult a licensed professional, this audiogram will come in very handy.
And now with the new additions, Apple users in the UK will also get the ability to balance their hearing levels, especially in a crowded, noisy area.
Explaining further about this revolutionary new tech, Dr. Sumbul Desai (the vice president of health at Apple) said that depending on how much an individual’s hearing has been affected, the Airpod will increase the volume of the surrounding sounds, enabling them to hear better.
On the flip side, if someone has sensitive ears and they have trouble adjusting to loud noises, the AirPod will bring down the volume through noise cancellation to ease their ears.
Are AirPods the Future of Hearing Aids?
Apple’s decision to integrate hearing healthcare into the AirPods is truly revolutionary. For starters, it improves accessibility – people might be reluctant to step out of their homes for a routine hearing test.
However, if they can get it done from their homes with just an Airpod, they are more likely to take the test. This helps in early detection and minimizes the chances of serious hearing loss.
In addition to that, these AirPods can provide all the support needed for mild to moderate hearing loss cases. This means that people won’t have to pay extra for a hearing aid which is not only expensive but also draws attention.
A lot of people are not comfortable wearing clunky hearing aids out in public, so an Airpod will be a blessing for them, allowing them to manage their hearing without any social stigma.
The timing of this release couldn’t have been better. The Department of Health in the UK has just issued a new guideline allowing such over-the-counter devices to compete at par with traditional hearing aids.
In the UK (and many places around the world), access to hearing healthcare remains a major issue. People often wait for months to get tested by a licensed professional. But with the advent of devices like Apple’s AirPods, more and more people will now have instant access to hearing healthcare.
By harnessing innovation in UK healthcare, we can turn our country into a medical technology superpower – Wes Streeting, the UK Health Secretary
Depending on the device’s performance in the next few months, other countries might soon follow in the footsteps of the UK and join hands with Apple to streamline and transform their hearing healthcare industry.
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Alpa is a senior editor with a wealth of experience in alternative finance, fintech, cryptocurrency, app security software, and the medical industry. She’s currently an in-house managing editor with the Techreport team.
Alpa is passionate about breaking down complex topics and sharing informative content that provides value.
View all articles by Alpa Somaiya
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