Apple has released a transformative software update that allows AirPods Pro 2 to function as hearing aids, according to audiology experts. The feature launched on Monday could make hearing aids normal for millions of Americans suffering from hearing loss and access the most effective solutions.
Some 30 million Americans suffer from hearing loss but refuse to wear standard hearing aids because they are either too expensive, fit awkwardly, are unsightly, or do not perform well. The FDA finally opened the floodgates in 2022, easing a rule that prevented over-the-counter hearing aids. Apple’s new software fits into the spirit of this development by offering comfortable and aesthetically appealing options to those who object to wearing standard hearing aids.
The setup process calls for an iPhone or iPad to run tests that establish the level of hearing loss of a user. From there, the AirPods Pro 2 can be set up to individual amplification levels. Priced at $249, a far cry from what conventional hearing aids cost, Apple’s AirPods may not have the stamina to be used throughout the day. According to audiologists, while AirPods Pro 2 will not replace traditional hearing aids, they show an exciting mainstreaming potential that may normalize the idea of hearing support devices among the general public.
Although these are some advantages of hearing aids, consumers should still be cautious when choosing the best one because comfort may depend on battery life and fit. Two reliable websites for reviews from consumers are Hearing Tracker and Soundly. Another guide is through the Hearing Loss Association of America and the American Academy of Audiology.
There are numerous other smartphone features experts state should be available in addition, including the Live Listen feature of an iPhone and along with speech-to-text systems, which should help develop means of communication better utilized by the hard of hearing. Apps on sound and hearing tests include “hearWHO” from the WHO and NIOSH Sound Level Meter that the users have to take on themselves to maintain their hearing.
In a technologically advanced world, AirPods’ emergence as a form of hearing aid is, by all means, a strategic step to increasing the benefit given to people with deafness, towards the door of innovative, friendly options.
