Will The Latest AirPods Change How We Treat Hearing Loss?

After generations of refinement, the ubiquitous AirPods are now much more than wireless earbuds. In fact, while various types of headphones in the past have faced accusations of contributing to hearing loss, the new AirPods Pro 2 is being marketed as a tool to monitor and even reverse such damage.

Three new features

Apple has added a range of health-related functions to its newest top-of-the-line earbuds, including a trio of features that deal directly with hearing.

• Hearing aids: As we recently reported, the AirPods Pro 2 can replace (often at a lower price) many types of in-ear devices used to treat mild to moderate hearing loss.
• Hearing tests: Along with an iPhone app, users can monitor their own hearing with a five-minute test to determine if there are any signs of hearing loss.
• Hearing protection: The latest generation also includes active noise reduction and sound preservation for use in loud environments such as concerts.

Whether you’re one of the estimated 1.5 billion people worldwide living with some level of hearing loss or you simply want access to these features, Apple wants you to consider forking over about $250 for the AirPods Pro 2.

Why it’s important

The fact that this relatively affordable accessory can eliminate the need for bulky, expensive hearing aids for many people is objectively cool. But some industry analysts say the real impact might not be realized for years.

With AirPods serving double duty as both earbuds and hearing aids, it might become even more common to see people wearing them in a wide range of situations — and perhaps eliminating some of the remaining stigma surrounding hearing loss.

And if this move pays off for Apple, we could see other tech companies offer their own health-related features.

Chris Agee October 22nd, 2024

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