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AirPods Pro 2 as a hearing aid device

By Maria Santos
1 min read
AirPods Pro 2 as a hearing aid device
In this article (4)

Not to be outdone by the new AirPods 4 with ANC, Apple decided to upgrade the AirPods Pro as well, so that it can set them apart from the cheaper standard AirPods in an easier manner. What was Apple to add that the AirPods Pro didn’t already have?

Well, register the AirPods Pro 2 as a hearing aid device with the FCC, of course! That’s right, the AirPods Pro will be approved as a hearing aid by the FCC this fall, and Apple will send a software update to unlock the feature.< Leveraging the power of AI, Apple will set apart noises from speech, emphasizing what you'd want to absorb if you are hard of hearing. Apple will soon push an update announcing a hearing test availability for the AirPods Pro, after which they will be able to take over as a personalized over-the-counter hearing aid for up to moderate hearing loss. The certified hearing test coming to iOS 18 and AirPods Pro 2 will take about 5 minutes and involve hearing a system of tones with different frequencies to determine your hearing loss scale slot. As usual, Apple has developed the AirPods Pro hearing aid feature with the help of clinical studies that examine a massive amount of real-world data, like it did when it introduced the ECG function on the Apple Watch, so it will probably work even better than advertised, negating the discomfort of carrying two types of hearing devices with you.

Questions & Answers

Q.

What specifically is the new feature being added to the AirPods Pro 2?

A.

The AirPods Pro 2 will be registered with the FCC as a hearing aid device. A software update will then be sent out to activate this new functionality, allowing the device to serve this purpose.

Q.

When is this new hearing aid feature expected to become available for AirPods Pro 2 users?

A.

The FCC approval for the AirPods Pro 2 as a hearing aid device is anticipated this autumn. Following this, Apple plans to release a software update to unlock the feature for users.

Q.

Why did Apple decide to add this hearing aid capability to the AirPods Pro 2?

A.

Apple added this feature to differentiate the AirPods Pro 2 from the standard AirPods, especially in light of the new AirPods 4 also featuring Active Noise Cancellation. This helps set the premium model apart.

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