Apple has announced that its AirPods Pro 2 can be used as “clinical-grade” hearing aids, although FDA clearance is still pending.
The hearing aid feature enhances specific sounds, like speech or environmental noises, in real time. It also creates a personalized hearing profile for users, tailoring audio experiences across music, movies, and phone calls.
Although the FDA has not yet cleared this feature, the fact that Apple is working toward FDA approval hints at the company’s long-term plans for its health technology integrations.
As soon as the approval is granted, it will push the AirPods Pro 2 further into the category of medically significant devices, allowing them to be used in settings beyond casual listening.
In addition, Apple previewed a five-minute certified hearing test, set to launch with iOS 18, allowing users to check their hearing health by responding to tones at different frequencies.
The results will be stored in Apple’s Health app and can be shared with healthcare providers. The hearing profile created by this test can be used with a feature called Media Assist, which adjusts audio to enhance speech or instruments, benefiting both users with hearing impairments and those with normal hearing.
Both the hearing aid feature and the new hearing test will be available globally this fall, positioning AirPods Pro 2 as more than just high-end earbuds, but also a health tool for improving hearing experiences.
