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Apple AirPods Are Now FDA-Approved Hearing Aids — Here’s What That Means
In a significant development in the health technology landscape, Apple has successfully obtained FDA clearance for its AirPods Pro 2 earbuds to be used as over-the-counter hearing aids. This milestone marks a groundbreaking moment in Apple’s healthcare journey.
As per the announcement made by CEO Tim Cook on July 15, this feature is now available to roll out to more countries, including Australia, Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam, effective from this month.
The new capability begins with a five-minute hearing test delivered via iPhone or iPad, which assesses an individual’s ability to hear tones at varying frequencies. This data will then be used to generate a customized hearing profile stored within the iOS Health app. Subsequently, this profile automatically adjusts audio playback across calls, music, and other media content.
In addition to this, Apple has introduced passive hearing protection mode that instantly reduces exposure to loud environmental noise in real-time – a feature the company claims will remain always on. This development is particularly noteworthy as it allows users to detect and manage early-stage hearing loss without having to spend additional money.
Moreover, this FDA clearance is not just a milestone for Apple but also represents its push towards integrating medical capabilities into its most popular devices, regardless of whether these innovations are seen as medical-grade tech or merely smarter accessories.
Source: www.forbes.com
